Le lunghe notti della Gestapo

"Red Nights of the Gestapo," as it is known in the US, is an unusual example of Nazi-exploitation films. Here the focus is on story rather than smut (sometimes regrettably), thus endowing the film with a certain credibility, even if it may disappoint viewers looking for softcore erotic horror like "Beat In Heat" or "Ilsa She Wolfe of the SS."

Production values are excellent: Cinematography, sets, locations, wardrobe, editing and score all present exceptionally well. Whereas most Nazi-exploitation movies are saddled with nearly all-female casts and endless scenes of lesbianism, "Red Nights of the Gestapo" gives us a (handsome) male lead and several equally handsome male supporting actors.

Boffing is kept to a minimum, sad to say; although there is an early scene where one woman takes on three good looking Nazi soldiers for a wild foursome, the scene ends before the men have a chance to drop their trousers. Not until around the 88-minute mark (in the uncut 110-minute version), do we get a real sex scene, in which one of the Nazi guests plows a prostitute in the castle lobby while a butler holds her in place and a violinist provides background music!

Aside from these two vignettes, there are many mildly risque moments throughout, which amount to little more than PG-13 tease. It's a shame, because with such excellent production values and a (mostly) attractive cast, this could have been the definitive Nazi-exploitation film, had it not pulled its punches.

Well worth seeking out and long overdue for a blu-ray release. Check it out.