The Reluctant Sadist Poster

The Reluctant Sadist 1967

★ 4.86 votes100 min📅 1967-03-27

"These Girls Made Him..."

In *The Reluctant Sadist* (1967), a struggling dandy desperate to impress high society makes a reckless decision: he embezzles a fortune to purchase the aristocratic title of Marquis de Sade.

Director: Peer Guldbrandsen

Cast

Buster Larsen
Buster Larsen
Sagfører
Karl Stegger
Karl Stegger
Direktør Mikkelsen
Tove Maës
Tove Maës
Vibeke Poulsen
Klaus Pagh
Klaus Pagh
Bankfuldmægtig
Gabriel Axel
Gabriel Axel
Marcel de Sade
Elsa Prawitz
Elsa Prawitz
Fru Mikkelsen
Carl Ottosen
Carl Ottosen
Flyttemand
Lotte Hermann
Kontordame hos Mikkelsen
Bjørn Puggaard-Müller
Bjørn Puggaard-Müller
Prokurist hos Mikkelsen
Carl-Axel Elfving
Carl-Axel Elfving
Musikprofessor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is *The Reluctant Sadist* (1967) about?

The film follows a struggling man who embezzles money to buy a noble title, hoping to impress the upper class. His plan spirals into a web of lies, exposing the fragility of social pretenses. Directed with a sharp satirical edge, it's a darkly humorous take on class ambition gone awry.

Who directed *The Reluctant Sadist*?

Peer Guldbrandsen directed the film, bringing his unique style to this Danish romantic drama.

Who stars in *The Reluctant Sadist*?

The cast features Buster Larsen, Karl Stegger, Tove Maës, Klaus Pagh, and Gabriel Axel in pivotal roles.

Is *The Reluctant Sadist* (1967) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, its blend of romance, drama, and biting social satire makes it a compelling watch for fans of mid-century European cinema. The film's exploration of class and deception offers more depth than typical period dramas, though viewers seeking lighthearted entertainment may find its tone too edgy.

How long is *The Reluctant Sadist*?

The film runs for 100 minutes.

About The Reluctant Sadist (1967) — A Daring Danish Drama of Deception and Aristocratic Allure

In *The Reluctant Sadist* (1967), a struggling dandy desperate to impress high society makes a reckless decision: he embezzles a fortune to purchase the aristocratic title of Marquis de Sade. Through Peer Guldbrandsen's sharp direction, the film explores themes of deception, class pretension, and the lengths to which people will go to elevate their social standing. With a backdrop of Denmark's bourgeoisie in the mid-20th century, the movie blends dark humor with biting social critique, wrapping its narrative in a tone that's equal parts satirical and suspenseful. Starring Buster Larsen, Karl Stegger, and Tove Maës, this Danish romantic drama unfolds with the wit of a con artist's folly and the gravity of a man caught in his own web of lies.

Originally released under the provocative title *I Am a Marquis*, the film's narrative pivots on identity and illusion, challenging its protagonist's moral boundaries as he navigates the trappings of wealth and power. The atmosphere is rich with tension, where every conversation crackles with unspoken motives and every gesture feels like a calculated move. Guldbrandsen crafts a story that's as much about the absurdity of social climbing as it is about the hollow allure of titles and prestige.