The only thing I remember about this film is that Sandrine Holt was beautiful and unclad, but Johnny Moronic covered the film in extreme depth, like minute-by-minute extreme.
I did review the film decades ago.
The good news: it was actually filmed on Easter Island, giving you an opportunity to see what few outsiders have seen.
The bad news: it was actually filmed on Easter Island, which has no local support staff suitable for a film project, and can’t even provide food and shelter for the professionals you have to fly in. As shown in the “making of” special feature on the DVD, even the weather on Easter Island is unpleasant. This is not Hawaii. The people who wore skimpy native garb while on camera were wearing winter coats when the cameras were off!
Roger Ebert wrote a very entertaining review. You might expect that my review would be about nudity, while Roger’s would be filled with insider info and insights into the film’s historical plausibility. In fact, the exact opposite is true. I went Full Nerd on that mofo, while ol’ Rog really went ape for the knockers.
Ebert wrote “Concern for my reputation prevents me from recommending this movie. I wish I had more nerve. I wish I could simply write, ‘Look, of course it’s one of the worst movies ever made. But it has hilarious dialogue, a weirdo action climax, a bizarre explanation for the faces of Easter Island, and dozens if not hundreds of wonderful bare breasts.’ I am however a responsible film critic and must conclude that ‘Rapa Nui’ is a bad film. If you want to see it anyway, of course, that’s strictly your concern. I think I may check it out again myself.”
Sandrine Holt, criminal she didn’t get more nude scenes in her prime, her strip down on The L Word had my jaw on the floor
From Ebert’s review: “Since womens’ breasts are the most aesthetically pleasing part of the human anatomy, it is only a blessing if your culture celebrates them.”
So, not an ass man.
Ebert’s association with Russ Meyer showed where Roger’s heart lay. Ebert did at times seem like he felt he had to protect his professional reputation. I remember when Siskel and Ebert reviewed Summer Lovers and Ebert talked about the beautiful scenery. Siskel teased him that he knew the beautiful scenery that Ebert was referring to and Ebert didn’t like that one bit. He insisted he only meant the lovely Greek landscape and Gene was like ‘yeah sure’. Maybe it was just his hatred of Siskel, but I think he was always somewhat worried that his background might one day hurt his credibility and his career.