Paul (The 4th Man, Spetters) Verhoeven's torrid Turkish Delight is finally making its debut on home video. Nominated for a best foreign language film Oscar for 1973, this surprisingly sexually explicit, often harrowing drama, was initially rated X, and this rating would probably still stand today.

The film vividly tells of the rocky relationship between an unpredictable, vigorous artist, Eric (Rutger Hauer) and an equally frisky young fraulein Olga (Monique Van De Ven). They first meet when Olga picks Eric up hitchhiking on an open highway. Before long, he convinces her to steer off the road so they can share a quick sexual encounter. Back on the highway, Olga accidentally crashes her car while Eric rushes her off to the hospital. Luckily, she seemingly recovers and he madly pursues her to hopefully commence a meaningful relationship. When true love blossoms, they decide to tie the knot. But, all's not fun and games after marriage, and the once carefree couple soon drift apart when Olga starts acting strangely and having adulterous affairs.

Credit the always engrossing story, stylish camerawork, complex characters, and often raw, realistic sex scenes for making this effort a richly rewarding adult viewing experience. Both Hauer and the voluptuous Van De Ven frequently cavort around in the buff indoors as well as outdoors. More importantly, they strike sparks while realistically stimulating various sexual acts. Hauer also shares some speedy sexual escapades with some eager women before he settles down with Van De Ven.

Although Turkish Delight is dubbed into English, it's fairly well synchronized and doesn't detract from the film's overall impact.