The Laughing Woman (1969)

A rich and sadistic man, who enjoys degrading women as part of elaborate S&M games, abducts a female journalist. She is subjected to his unpleasant games but soon begins subverting him.

Director:

Piero Schivazappa

Writers:

Paolo Levi, Piero Schivazappa

Stars:

Philippe Leroy, Dagmar Lassander, Lorenza Guerrieri

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Philippe Leroy	...	Dr. Sayer
Dagmar Lassander	...	Maria
Lorenza Guerrieri	...	Gida
Varo Soleri	...	Administrator
Maria Cumani Quasimodo	...	Sayer's Secretary
Mirella Pamphili	...	Streetwalker

Storyline

A rich and sadistic man, who enjoys degrading women as part of elaborate S&M games, abducts a female journalist. She is subjected to his unpleasant games but soon begins subverting him.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | swimming pool | misogyny | sculpture | softcore | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

4 December 1969 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Laughing Woman

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cemo Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Adjust Your Tracking (2013)

User Reviews

Superior Eurotica

Every once in a while us cult Euro freaks stumbled upon something that could genuinely be classified as a hidden gem. The Frightened Woman certainly falls into this category. Unlike many similar sexploitation films from the time, this Italian effort is pretty obscure and relatively unknown. Its recent DVD release has went some way to address this of course, and it's a very good thing too as this is a superior genre effort. In fact, I would have to say that it's one of the very best examples of Eurotica full stop. What differentiates this one from most others is in its very stylish look and feel. The set design is terrific throughout, with great décor and excellent use of colour and lighting. The cinematography is extremely good throughout which only accentuates things even more. It really feels like one of those glorious Italian movies from the period that combined psychedelia with pop art and a slice of surrealism. It means that this picture is very much a product of the time. This of course, is naturally a huge plus point and can be taken as a recommendation in itself.

The story involves an S&M relationship between a rich misogynist and a captured woman.

The film stars Dagmar Lassandar who is one of the unsung greats of Italian genre cinema. She starred in a number of great films from the likes of Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, Ricardo Freda and Luciano Ercoli. This is undoubtedly her best role though. Her sex appeal is utilised very well throughout, peaking with a tremendous scene that can best be described as 'Lassandar's dance', where she grooves on down to some Europop in a glorious extended scene. The music throughout by Stelvio Cipriani is superior, some of the best he ever did.

The Frightened Woman is an unconditional recommendation to all fans of cult Euro cinema of the psychedelic/pop art type. It's bizarre, effortlessly cool and sexy.