Filmmaker Jess Franco basically rehashes his earlier effort, "The Diabolical Dr. Z", for this routinely plotted but very sexy, atmospheric revenge thriller. The highly enticing (and sadly short-lived) Soledad Miranda plays the wife of a scientist (Fred Williams) whose experiments - involving injecting human embryos with hormones from other species - are soundly rejected by the medical community. The husband goes insane and later kills himself, and the fiercely dedicated wife takes it upon herself to avenge hubby by first seducing and then slaughtering the members of the medical council: Dr. Houston (Paul Muller), Professor Walker (Howard Vernon), Dr. Crawford (Ewa Stromberg), and Dr. Donen (played by Franco himself).
"She Killed in Ecstasy" dares to pace itself deliberately (yet only runs an hour and 18 minutes), establishing an effective mood. As befitting a Franco film, there is gore and there is nudity (we are treated to an especially sexy scene with Miranda and Stromberg), but these elements are actually not quite as prevalent as one might think; this picture is more than just pure sleaze. The Euro-cult cast of actors & actresses (also including Horst Tappert as the requisite police inspector on the case) play their roles capably enough, but ultimately the feature is all about Ms. Miranda, a haunted avenger if ever there was one. We really do get a sense of just how much she loved her husband.
Interesting sets and Franco's typical fine use of locations help to offset a rather lively jazz-rock music score that doesn't always fit every scene, and an unfortunately abrupt ending. Overall, "She Killed in Ecstasy" is solid, and some Franco admirers hold it up as one of his best efforts (at least, as far as his collaborations with Ms. Miranda go).
Seven out of 10.
"She Killed in Ecstasy" dares to pace itself deliberately (yet only runs an hour and 18 minutes), establishing an effective mood. As befitting a Franco film, there is gore and there is nudity (we are treated to an especially sexy scene with Miranda and Stromberg), but these elements are actually not quite as prevalent as one might think; this picture is more than just pure sleaze. The Euro-cult cast of actors & actresses (also including Horst Tappert as the requisite police inspector on the case) play their roles capably enough, but ultimately the feature is all about Ms. Miranda, a haunted avenger if ever there was one. We really do get a sense of just how much she loved her husband.
Interesting sets and Franco's typical fine use of locations help to offset a rather lively jazz-rock music score that doesn't always fit every scene, and an unfortunately abrupt ending. Overall, "She Killed in Ecstasy" is solid, and some Franco admirers hold it up as one of his best efforts (at least, as far as his collaborations with Ms. Miranda go).
Seven out of 10.