The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak
The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak, original title Gwendoline, is a 1984 French
action/sexploitation film directed by Just Jaeckin, written by Jaeckin and John Willie and
starring Tawny Kitaen and Brent Huff. The film is loosely based on the bondage-themed
comics of Willie and on the figure of Gwendoline. François Schuiten worked as a graphic
designer for the movie.
The story concerns Gwendoline (Kitaen), a woman who, accompanied by a soldier of fortune,
Willard (Huff), and her French maid (Zabou), journeys deep into the jungle and desert to
capture a butterfly that has eluded her late father’s scientific quest. They eventually discover the
lost underground realm of the Yik-Yak, an all-female society ruled by a queen who plans to kill
Willard after he mates with a female gladiator champion.
Severin Films has re-released the 88 minutes U.S. release of The Perils of Gwendoline in the
Land of the Yik-Yak and released a 106 minutes Gwendoline: Unrated Director’s Cut based on
the French release.