After the massive success of Behind the Green Door, the Mitchell Brothers found themselves in an unprecedented comfortable situation, as they really could do anything for their highly anticipated follow up. And boy, you know it was a different time when a feature porn film starts with a William Blake quote. The poem, ‘Eternity’ is shown to us along with the opening credits:

“He who binds to himself a joy

Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in eternity’s sunrise”

It definitely felt right at home with the Mitchell Brothers’ idea of hedonism at the time.

Resurrection of Eve throws an uncomfortable set-up our way, when it’s revealed Eve – our star – was molested as a child by a very creepy “friend of her father” and a re-enactment of this is shown. It’s an odd start, but one that’s perhaps more realistic than a lot of smut movies that make light of it all. It also sets the table for a much more sympathetic understanding of Eve’s desire to please others and feeling uncomfortable on her own skin.

That is not just an expression, as following a horrifying car accident Eve’s face is completely disfigured. After months of healing and major reconstructive surgery, Eve looks like a completely different person. This person is none other than Behind the Green Door’s own star Marilyn Chambers.

The movie constantly alternates between the present and flashbacks from their relationship, as dreamt by Eve on her hospital bed.

Frank Paradise, a womanizing radio DJ, is blown away by Eve’s new looks and their relationship rekindles immediately. Frank and Eve get married and it all seems perfect for a while. However, after being turned down by an intern for being a married man, the always classy Frank then suggests group sex as a solution for his problem.

While the “resurrection” part could be interpreted as her physical transformation; it’s much more about Eve coming to terms with her sexuality and being able to simply enjoy herself. There’s an interesting role-reversal within the marriage as the film goes on.

The great Johnnie Keyes makes another comeback, playing a boxing champion whose old friendship with Eve provokes Frank’s jealousy and brings some interesting racial elements to the story.

The movie also had a particularly groundbreaking moment during one of the orgy scenes, as it was the first time in a major heterosexual adult movie that included shots of gay fellatio. It’s super brief and you’d miss it if you’re not watching carefully, but the fact it made it through the cutting room is a major step, especially considering it was 1973.

San Francisco plays a much bigger role on this movie than it did on Behind the Green Door. There are tons of outdoor shots, and the spirit of the carefree 70s is present all the way. The soundtrack is pretty amazing, and the radio DJ element gives it a bigger role than it usually would. There are lots of landscapes that give it a bit of a road movie feel. But, especially, it’s the “free love” vibe of the Bay Area that gives Resurrection of Eve its needed warmth to balance an otherwise very dark story.

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