Cinema’s Greatest Sex Mystery: Solved

Peter Bart claims to know the truth about the greatest sex mystery in the history of the movies: did Donald Sutherland actually fuck Julie Christie on camera in their Don’t Look Now scene?

The answer, Bart says, is yes. The Hollywood Reporter got a hold of the former Variety editor/studio stooge’s memoir, and the Don’t Look Now controversy is just one thing that he addresses.

According to Bart he was invited to the set of the film by Nicolas Roeg, who told him that one particular day would be especially good. It was the sex scene day. Writes Bart, “It was clear to me they were no longer simply acting: they were fucking on camera.”

And then Bart and Roeg had this conversation as the two actors boned:

Bart: Nic. Don’t they expect you to say “cut?”
Roeg: I just want to be sure I have the coverage.
Bart: His dick is moving in and out of her. That’s beyond coverage.

Don’t Look Now is one of the great movies of all time, and now you have another good reason to check it out. Although I feel sort of sad that the mystery is solved - I liked the not knowing.