Isabella, duchessa dei diavoli (1969)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Bruno Corbucci

Writers:

Mario Amendola (writer)
Giorgio Cavedon (writer)

Release Date:

30 August 1969 (Italy)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

An Alsacian Baron massacres the family of a French Duke, and takes his lands, and his title. Isabella...

Plot Keywords:

Lesbian | Lesbianism | Beautiful Woman | Lesbian Scene | Female Nudity

Cast

Brigitte Skay	...	Isabella Frissac
Mimmo Palmara	...	Baron Eric von Nutter
Fred Williams	...	Gilbert de Villancourt
Elina De Witt	...	Nadia
Sal Borgese	...	Capo Zingaro (as Salvatore Borgese)
Mario Novelli	...	Mayer
Renato Baldini	...	Gunther
Enzo Andronico	...	Un Sicario
Thomas Astan	...	Kurt
Gioia Desideri	...	Susanna
Mario De Vico
Enzo Filippi
Giacomo Furia	...	Un Popolano
Giorgio Gargiullo
Loris Gizzi	...	M.llo Bassompierre

Also Known As:

Die Rache der Musketiere (West Germany)
Isabella - Mit blanker Brust und spitzem Degen (West Germany)
Isabella, Duchess of the Devils (USA) (informal English title)
Ms. Stiletto (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

Portugal:91 min

Country:

Italy | West Germany

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Certification:

Portugal:M/18

Company:

Cinesecolo

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film's action takes place during the reign of King Louis XIII of France (1610-1643), but there is a mention of the Rhine Confederation (founded 1806).

Solid "fumetti" adaptation

This is an adaptation of a "fumetti", which were basically adult, (usually erotic) comic books popular in Europe in the 1960's and 70's. The most famous "fumetti"-based movies are "Barbarella" and "Diabolik", but others such as "Baba Yagi", "Satanik", and "Kriminal" have at least received a decent international DVD release. This one has been sadly neglected so far.

The story is set in medieval times and focuses on a female swashbuckler "Isabella" (Brigitte Skay) who's seeking revenge on the cruel baron who murdered her parents. Skay is not particularly believable as a swashbuckler--it's amazing she can wield her impressive breasts, let alone a sword. But she was clearly cast in this movie mainly to get ridiculously naked at every possible opportunity, and at THAT, at least, she certainly excels. This movie has plenty of ripe sexploitation, some of which is pretty politically incorrect by today's standards (such as when the wicked baron orders his mistress to strip off and try to get a "rise" out of black servant while his entire dinner party looks on).

The director Bruno Corbucci was the brother of famous spaghetti Western director Sergio Corbucci (probably the second most renowned spaghetti director after Sergio Leone). Brother Bruno also tried his hand the pasta-oater genre, but his most famous film was probably the crime thriller/comedy "Cop in Blue Jeans" with the great Tomas Milian. Swiss actress Brigitte Skay is definitely no Tomas Milian (although she does have nicer breasts). She is most famous for appearing in a couple Mario Bava movies like "Bay of Blood", but this is one of her few lead roles. This movie has some memorable scenes, even if it doesn't hold together too well and really runs out of gas by the end. If you like--or have even heard of--fumetti and fumetti adaptations, this is a pretty solid one and worth seeing