Note: this review and rating will apply to the 80 minute original cut known as "Christina, Princess of Eroticism".
The lovely, luminous Christina von Blanc plays a character named Christina, who returns to the old family mansion upon learning of her fathers' death. She's never actually met the old man, nor has she met her relatives, who turn out to be a pretty weird and kinky bunch. She has to face the possibility that none of them may really be alive, and may have nefarious plans for her.
Apparently, the 90 minute re-release version, utilizing footage from Jean Rollins' zombie film "Lake of Zombies", does this interesting tale absolutely no favours. In this original incarnation of Franco's vision, we get doses of elements typical to his work - sex, nudity, perversions - but we also get an effectively ethereal, poetic little film. It has a solid atmosphere, with some gore here and there, as well as a Bruno Nicolai score that alternates between jaunty compositions and more haunting ones. And the father-daughter relationship that plays a part in the story definitely has some appeal, with Paul Muller, a familiar face to any fan of European genre and exploitation titles, doing a nice job as Christina's ill-fated father.
The performances are just right, from Franco favourite Howard Vernon (as Christina's uncle), Rosa Palomar (as his wife), Anne Libert (as a mysterious "Queen of the Night"), and Carmen Yazalde (as the outspoken Carmence). Franco himself co-stars (using the pseudonym Jesus Manera), as Basilio, the creepy mute servant.
Overall, this viewer found this to be one of Franco's most nicely realized films from his 70s output, as it does a good job of balancing sleaze with more traditional and poignant aspects.
Another version of this exists, a 105 minute "uncut" version with even more erotic footage (including Alice Arno, and various body doubles) added.
Seven out of 10.
The lovely, luminous Christina von Blanc plays a character named Christina, who returns to the old family mansion upon learning of her fathers' death. She's never actually met the old man, nor has she met her relatives, who turn out to be a pretty weird and kinky bunch. She has to face the possibility that none of them may really be alive, and may have nefarious plans for her.
Apparently, the 90 minute re-release version, utilizing footage from Jean Rollins' zombie film "Lake of Zombies", does this interesting tale absolutely no favours. In this original incarnation of Franco's vision, we get doses of elements typical to his work - sex, nudity, perversions - but we also get an effectively ethereal, poetic little film. It has a solid atmosphere, with some gore here and there, as well as a Bruno Nicolai score that alternates between jaunty compositions and more haunting ones. And the father-daughter relationship that plays a part in the story definitely has some appeal, with Paul Muller, a familiar face to any fan of European genre and exploitation titles, doing a nice job as Christina's ill-fated father.
The performances are just right, from Franco favourite Howard Vernon (as Christina's uncle), Rosa Palomar (as his wife), Anne Libert (as a mysterious "Queen of the Night"), and Carmen Yazalde (as the outspoken Carmence). Franco himself co-stars (using the pseudonym Jesus Manera), as Basilio, the creepy mute servant.
Overall, this viewer found this to be one of Franco's most nicely realized films from his 70s output, as it does a good job of balancing sleaze with more traditional and poignant aspects.
Another version of this exists, a 105 minute "uncut" version with even more erotic footage (including Alice Arno, and various body doubles) added.
Seven out of 10.