Released in 1975, Emmanuelle II, also known as "The Joy of Woman," is a French erotic film directed by Emilio Miraglia, which became an instant sensation worldwide for its explicit and unapologetic portrayal of female pleasure. The film, starring Gianna Maria Volpi, is a sequel to the 1974 film "Emmanuelle," which was banned in several countries due to its graphic content. Emmanuelle II, however, was no less provocative, and its release sparked a global debate about censorship, feminism, and the representation of women's desires on screen.
| Territory | Approx. Gross (USD) | Notes | |-----------|--------------------|-------| | | $2.5 million (1975) | Strong opening; among top‑grosser domestic releases of the year. | | United Kingdom | $1.8 million | Wide release in adult cinemas; “cult” status developed quickly. | | United States | $4.7 million (limited) | Despite limited theatrical exposure, it earned a respectable return on a modest budget (~$1.2 million). | | Worldwide | $15–20 million (estimated) | The sequel matched the financial success of the original, solidifying the Emmanuelle franchise as a profitable brand. | Emmanuelle II 1975 -Joy of Woman- 18
| Item | Details | |------|----------| | | Emmanuelle 2 : La Joie des Femmes | | English release title | Emmanuelle II – Joy of Woman | | Year of release | 1975 | | Country | France (co‑production with West Germany and Italy) | | Language | Primarily French (dubbed/subtitled versions in English, German, Italian, etc.) | | Runtime | Approx. 98 minutes (varies by regional cut) | | Genre | Erotic drama / soft‑core romance | | Rating | Generally classified as “18+” (or equivalent adult rating) in most territories because of explicit sexual themes and nudity. | | Director | Just Jaeckin – also known for Emmanuelle (1974) and The Story of O (1975). | | Screenplay | Adapted by Claude Mulot and Jean-Claude Carrière (uncredited contributions) from the Emmanuelle literary series by Emmanuelle Arsan (Marceline Desbordes). | | Producer | Claude Giroux , Georges F. R. H. R. de Kestel | | Production company | Les Films Emmanuelle , in association with Eurociné (France) and Bavaria Film (West Germany). | | Music | Composed by Michel Magne (original Emmanuelle score) with additional cues by François de Roubaix (uncredited). | | Cinematography | Claude Agostini | | Editor | Marie‑Sophie Dubreuil | | Main cast | • Sylvia Kristel – Emmanuelle (returning from the first film) • Jean-Louis Trintignant – Charles (Emmanuelle’s husband) • Patrick Dewaere – Bruno (a charismatic artist) • Micheline Presle – Madame Durocher (a sophisticated older woman) • Françoise Bessière – Lucie (friend of Emmanuelle) | Released in 1975, Emmanuelle II, also known as
The film's director, Emilio Miraglia, has stated that his intention was to create a film that would showcase the beauty and joy of female sexuality, free from the constraints of traditional morality. Miraglia's vision was to create a movie that would allow women to express themselves freely, without shame or guilt, and to explore their own desires and pleasures. | Territory | Approx
To search for is to hunt for more than just an erotic film. It is to seek out a historical artifact—a moment in the mid-1970s when cinema dared to ask: Can a woman’s sexual joy be art?
| Format | Availability (as of 2024) | |--------|--------------------------| | | Remastered editions released by Kino Lorber (U.S.) and StudioCanal (Europe) include both the original uncut version and a “family‑friendly” trimmed edit. | | Streaming | Available on select adult‑oriented platforms (e.g., MUBI Classics , Vimeo On Demand ), often with age verification. | | Public domain status | The film remains under copyright in most territories; however, a few European countries have allowed limited public exhibition under “cultural heritage” exemptions. |