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Vampyros Lesbos

Vampyros Lesbos

List Price: $29.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jess Franco at his finest!
Review: This film can be considered the ultimate introduction to the cinematic treats of Jess Franco, one of the most prolific directors the world has ever known (as well as one of the most polarizing). Filmed during the peak of his "classic" period (late 60s/early 70s)which can be rougly bookended by "Succubus" and "Exorcism," "Vampyros Lesbos" stands as a classic in the genres of exploitation, erotica, and camp (I mean this in a non-derogatory way.)

Some of the Franco trademarks to be found would include:

1. A beautiful female lead, in this case Soledad Miranda (and Ewa Stromberg doesn't look too bad, either, so whether you prefer slender brunettes or curvy blondes, both bases are covered).

2. The director himself in a role--a creepy hotel worker who likes to take women down into the basement. Granted, his role is not as extensive as the one he has in "Exorcism," but he gets more screen time than he had in "Two Angels Undercover."

3. A less than linear plot. The film has a plot, but the groovy '60s ambience is the main thing.

4. Groovy music, similar to the tracks found on "She Killed In Ecstasy." In fact, during the striptease, a song plays where the word "Ecstasy" is spoken.

5. Photography/editing which ranges from the brilliant (such as a seduction scene which cuts to the image of a flying kite at just the right moment) to the questionable (Franco's overreliance on the crash zoom).

6. A virtual hodgepodge of cultures: filmed in Turkey, credits in French, filmed in Spanish, dubbed in German, English subtitles, actors from more countries than the United Nations.

7. The immortal line, "Morpho!"

In summary, "Vampyros Lesbos" is the jewel in the crown for its director, and a must-own DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jess Franco at his finest!
Review: This film can be considered the ultimate introduction to the cinematic treats of Jess Franco, one of the most prolific directors the world has ever known (as well as one of the most polarizing). Filmed during the peak of his "classic" period (late 60s/early 70s)which can be rougly bookended by "Succubus" and "Exorcism," "Vampyros Lesbos" stands as a classic in the genres of exploitation, erotica, and camp (I mean this in a non-derogatory way.)

Some of the Franco trademarks to be found would include:

1. A beautiful female lead, in this case Soledad Miranda (and Ewa Stromberg doesn't look too bad, either, so whether you prefer slender brunettes or curvy blondes, both bases are covered).

2. The director himself in a role--a creepy hotel worker who likes to take women down into the basement. Granted, his role is not as extensive as the one he has in "Exorcism," but he gets more screen time than he had in "Two Angels Undercover."

3. A less than linear plot. The film has a plot, but the groovy '60s ambience is the main thing.

4. Groovy music, similar to the tracks found on "She Killed In Ecstasy." In fact, during the striptease, a song plays where the word "Ecstasy" is spoken.

5. Photography/editing which ranges from the brilliant (such as a seduction scene which cuts to the image of a flying kite at just the right moment) to the questionable (Franco's overreliance on the crash zoom).

6. A virtual hodgepodge of cultures: filmed in Turkey, credits in French, filmed in Spanish, dubbed in German, English subtitles, actors from more countries than the United Nations.

7. The immortal line, "Morpho!"

In summary, "Vampyros Lesbos" is the jewel in the crown for its director, and a must-own DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolulety Stunning!
Review: This is a must see for all vamp film fanatics

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: This is boring rubbish. Not sexy, not scary, not artistic, not meaningful, not nothing. bad cinematography, worse script, even worse acting, lighting, costuming etc. BORING music. I bought it hoping for something with style and flare along the lines of Bava or Argento, and got a movie I could have filmed in four minutes even though it runs around 90 minutes and feels like it's six hours long when you watch it. Ed Wood was a better film maker than this guy. Save your money and buy a worthwhile film like Kurosawa's Ikiru, Renoir's Rules of the Game, or if you want horror, Mizoguchi's Ugetsu..now Ugetsu is a scary, erotic and fabulous film. if you must have lesbian vampires, even Tony Scott's The Hunger is 600 million times better. Cheers

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Vampyros Lesbos:Very chic, Very Tantilizing, Very Satisfing!
Review: What can you (not) say about this movie: Mad trancendental set design, a hypnotic soundtrack and (a rare time-capsule)to the most wicked sick women ever to grace the high concept film genere. Soledad Miranda by herself sells the DVD! But the DVD also includes stunning Ewa Stromberg and bedroom eyed Heidrum Kussin.

But this high concept "Adult Fantasy" is not just a cavalcade of Spanish and German beauties..NO SIR! With it's brash "1970 's style" hallucinogenic sets, idilic setting in Istanbul, Turkey (Precariously nestled between islands and the Black Sea) and an idea that still breathes full of life 30 years after it's release. Even though the DVD has slight distortions, blips and mild scratches,it does nothing but perhaps to serve as character for this film. This film screams 70's chic and I find it only appropiate that it look as such.

The storyline is definitely one of the more abstract and twisted ones that I can remember. Even though the plot can become somewhat convoluted in parts, the movie still stands up visually, conceptually and phonically. In the years following this movie: Pink Flamingos, Gummo, Baxter and a few others have captured the same visionary outlook. But "Vampyros Lesbos" I think takes the cake. Originally shot in Spanish, the DVD version uses the uncut German language version - more risque content. The German dubbing adds to the feel of the feature, it helps in a way to make the film more erotic, with German being such a strong, forceful, yet pleasing and sensual language.

Another intriguing aspect of the film is the lamentable sub-plot of tragic star Soledad Miranda (explained on the inside cover/leaflet) and the long uphill climb it took to get this movie to the U.S (also in leaflet that comes with DVD).

In ending, THIS IS A CAN'T MISS DVD!!! If you love high art or if it is just pure beauty you crave-Do yourself a favor-Don't let this one pass you by-Who knows how long this copy will be available or even around?.?..

P.S. The movie does have a high degree of tasteful, artistic and some playful nudity--But don't be afraid to buy this movie, astonish your friends with your cult movie prowess.But dont fret-your not buying something x rated--it's not a porn--perhaps a hard R rating--with more erotic, tense situations that seem more forbidden-Thus the dirtier it seems. Thanks for reading!

BYE %)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Franco Gem That Requires Excessive Viewing
Review: You know, the first few times I saw this film I said to myself "Damn, Soledad Miranda and Ewa Stroemberg are hot", but once I got past that poor male sentiment I began to realize that this is a great film. It really is. How many films hold up on repeated viewings? Not many for me. Even some of the classics don't have staying power. This gem does. It's the only film that I consider to be hypnotically erotic. Franco hit upon a goldmine with Miranda and his direction shows that he knew what he had. I have been lost in the film's sensuality many times. The strength in this film will reveal itself upon repeated viewings. Vampyros Lesbos is a culmination of all the great moments that pass by all to quickly in so many of Franco's lesser works. The DVD looks and sound very nice. Word is that it may be rereleased with better picture and sound quality. But that is most likely a long way off. Note: The "Stars" review above reflects my feelings towards the film and DVD presentation. Should a better looking disc be released it will surely get five stars from me.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Franco Gem That Requires Excessive Viewing
Review: You know, the first few times I saw this film I said to myself "Damn, Soledad Miranda and Ewa Stroemberg are hot", but once I got past that poor male sentiment I began to realize that this is a great film. It really is. How many films hold up on repeated viewings? Not many for me. Even some of the classics don't have staying power. This gem does. It's the only film that I consider to be hypnotically erotic. Franco hit upon a goldmine with Miranda and his direction shows that he knew what he had. I have been lost in the film's sensuality many times. The strength in this film will reveal itself upon repeated viewings. Vampyros Lesbos is a culmination of all the great moments that pass by all to quickly in so many of Franco's lesser works. The DVD looks and sound very nice. Word is that it may be rereleased with better picture and sound quality. But that is most likely a long way off. Note: The "Stars" review above reflects my feelings towards the film and DVD presentation. Should a better looking disc be released it will surely get five stars from me.


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