There is something about Tinto Brass films that separates them from the run of the mill soft-core movies. Ever since he directed Bob Guccione's Caligula in 1979, Brass films seems to push the envelope of acceptable, both visually and storywise. One only has to view the cover, showing leading lady's voluptuous @ss to realize that All Ladies do it is such a movie.

In addition, Brass films have more realistic in sets and cinematography than many American soft-core movies. Indeed most of the sets are real.

The Plot

Brass films seem to have a recurring theme. At least this and two other Brass movies I have seen (Cheeky and The Key) have had this theme - that women can and should have affairs on their husband or boyfriend. The story's theory is that jealousy makes the man more attentive, more sexually creative and he ultimately desires his partner more than if he could count on her fidelity. In other words Brass is proposing one half of an open marriage. One has to surmise since this premise appears in three (that I've seen) Brass movies that Brass subscribes to this supposition.

The Story

Diana, (Claudia Koll), is happily married to Paolo, (Paolo Lanza) but feels that something is missing in her life. She works in a lingerie store, who's owner is a leach and gropes her at every occasion. She resists his advances but her co-worker Antonnietta, (Isabella Deiana) occasionally accommodates the boss.

Diana is a beautiful woman who constantly garners a lot of male attention. From riding the bus to eating in restaurants, she is bombarded with amorous offers.

Then one night, her sister Nadia, (Ornella Marcucci), hosted a reading by an erotic poetess from Venice where she met a man, Alphonse (Franco Branciaroli) who excited her. Realizing her husband was glancing at her, she went to the restroom. Alphonse, followed her there and was in the process of seducing a willing Diana, but was interrupted when her husband knocked and called her name.

Not one to hide her sexuality, Diana used to tell Paolo about her sexual encounters and he would think she was making them up to excite him, which they would do. When Diana told him that Alphonse had her dress above her @ss and was ready to strump her, when he called her, he was sure it was a fabrication. He became aroused and they made love.

Later when Diana has a torrid affair with the Alphonse, Paolo finds out that it really happened and rejects Diana. But Diana will not back down because even though she is having sex with others she still loves her husband and doesn't think she is doing anything wrong.

(Being a man, I agree with Paolo. I'd be curious what the lady readers think.)

Main Cast
Claudia Koll .... Diana
Paolo Lanza .... Paolo
Ornella Marcucci .... Nadia
Isabella Deiana .... Antonietta

Renzo Rinaldi .... Sig. Silvio

Franco Branciaroli .... Alphonse

Director

Tinto Brass

Report Card

Story - B+
Acting - B+
Directing - B+
Cinematography - A
Cast - A-
Erotic factor - A+
Entertainment factor - A

Conclusion

I enjoyed Claudia Koll, the leading lady in All Ladies Do It. Though in possession of a darling shape, she seemed to be more streamlined than the meaty leading ladies of Brass' older films.

Despite the pretentious title, All Ladies Do It is a lighthearted sometimes humorous movie. An example is the lingerie store where Diana works also employs an obviously gay salesman who likes to try on the lingerie.

As usual in a Tinto Brass film there are several shots of male and female genitalia. As in other Brass movies, I believe the male shots were fake.

The version I have reviewed is the special edition, unrated version, in Italian with English subtitles. Apparently there are other, highly edited versions in which viewers were seriously disappointed.