Adapting Sex on Screen

Julian Preece explores how the novel Venus in Furs, and the plays La Ronde and Lulu were adapted into films that challenged censorship and redefined the portrayal of sexuality across Europe and America.

Tracing the adaptation histories of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s novel Venus in Furs, Arthur Schnitzler’s play La Ronde, and Frank Wedekind's play Lulu, Julian Preece explores how these works were censored, celebrated, and adapted for the screen from pre-World War I Austria to modern day United States.

Through case studies of filmmakers like Max Ophüls, G.W. Pabst, and Roman Polanski, this book explores how directors have used sexual themes to push boundaries and critique societal norms. From Pandora’s Box (1929) to La Ronde (1950), these films captured shifting attitudes toward sex, confronting issues such as Nazism, Hollywood censorship under the Hays Code, and the AIDS crisis. Preece also highlights how marginalised voices—particularly women and minorities—have fought for sexual rights on and off the screen.

This compelling analysis will appeal to students, scholars, and general readers interested in the intersection of film, literature, and sexuality. AdaptingSex on Screen provides a nuanced and engaging look at how cinematic portrayals of sex have both reflected and shaped social change, making it an essential resource for understanding the ongoing cultural significance of these provocative works.