purchased this previously censored french erotic/horror/fantasy film after viewing the trailer from mondo macabro. didn't have any high expectations for this film but after viewing was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed it. a very simplistic storyline which can be slow and trodding at times if not for the presence of many beautiful, European starlets. francoise and anna the two main characters at the start of the film are on vacation and taking a road trip when their car has engine trouble and breaks down. they decide to spend the night in a deserted barn and like so many erotic films before have a romp in the haystack. in the morning however, francoise awakes to find anna missing and goes out looking for her. it is her that she is approached by a dwarf by the name of gurth who takes her through the forest before stopping at the sea where boat conveniently awaits to take francoise across to a castle. upon reaching the castle she is welcomed by a trio of beautiful young sirens dressed in flowing almost sheer gowns as they take her into the castle to be introduced to the lady of the house. it is here that francoise meets the sorceress morgana le fay. and she is stunningly beautiful and has may striking physical features played coolly and icy by dominique delpierre. the six lead actresses are stunning to look at. while not a lot goes on in this move, there is enough eye candy, nudity and countless love scenes to keep the viewer interested. the director said when he was casting for the extras he had to find women who were not ashamed of performing nude scenes with one another. he said he enjoyed shooting and directing the many lesbian love scenes because he wanted those scenes to be tender and loving...nothing vulgar or pornographic. the many scenes shot of the french countryside are stunning and breathtaking and i thought the director had a real eye for detail. an original piece of film making though it is for certain tastes and audiences.
original piece of art-house film-making for its time. *contains spoilers*
16 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers