Ken Russell was always a provocative filmmaker, which was one of the reasons he was so watchable and his films developed such a cult following. This 1991 release, like many of Russell’s films, was shocking to some but is quite tame when viewed today.

Liz (Theresa Russell) is a prostitute who guides us through the ups and downs of her job. Be it trying to avoid her horrendous pimp, Blake (Benjamin Mouton), or attempting to get money from her tricks. She tells us a little bit about her background, how she became embroiled with Blake, and how she had to give up her child.

Breaking the fourth wall to invite her into her work day, Theresa Russell is fantastic as Liz. While many of the situations are appalling – the level of abuse she receives is terrible, but in no way as exploitative as you’d expect – there are moments of humour in the grim tale. Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear himself) appears as a friendly street hustler, so no typecasting there, then. Surprisingly, this is one of Russell’s more restrained films. It’s the antithesis of Pretty Woman, which was a massive hit the year earlier and both glamorised and romanticised the oldest profession by allowing the streetwalker to find her prince charming. Whore tells it like it is, but we feel there are still some punches pulled.

The Blu-ray release, from Australia’s Imprint label, is packed with new extras, including a collection of interviews with Theresa Russell and Ginger Lynn Allen (who appears as a co-worker who gets stabbed) and the writer Deborah Dalton. The informed audio commentary, appreciation, and Kat Ellinger’s video essay top things off to make this a very worthy purchase.

Whore is available on Blu-ray from Via-Vision’s Imprint label in Australia.