Note: this viewer watched the English-dubbed, soft core version. This cut will likely not be to the tastes of all exploitation lovers, as it's quite leisurely paced and perhaps too artfully done. That said, it's an interesting mix of elements ranging from incest to lesbianism to sadism to outright murder. Certainly, as a vehicle for the charms (physical and otherwise) of its luscious female cast, it delivers the goods. Viewers will note that there is an abundance of both male and female nudity. The kills may be highly unsatisfying considering that despite the brutality on display, there's very little gore to be seen. But overall this is just atmospheric, haunting, and erotic enough to be an okay view.
The appealing Alice Arno plays Marie-France Bertrand, who's in desperate need of a job and agrees to work as secretary for a strange, kinky family that lives in an oceanside estate with a houseboy (Pierre Taylou) who grunts rather than speaks. The father, Paul (Paul Muller) warns Marie-France that his offspring are dangerous, and soon enough we learn what kinds of things that they get up to. Meanwhile, an inspector (Angelo Bassi) and photojournalist (Catherine Lafferiere) add some comedy relief by spying on this depraved bunch of people.
Director Jess Franco, who also has a cameo as Dr. Roberts, gets an effective performance out of his longtime muse Lina Romay, who's stunning as the seductive Olivia. She has a scene with a banana that's memorable. Ms. Romay is the main reason to watch, although all the ladies are attractive. Veronica Llimera is also enticing as the invalid Linda. For less patient viewers, this cut of the movie may seem longer than it is, even at only 81 minutes, but the titillation factor remains intact. However, the ending is just too anticlimactic.
Enhanced by a lovely music score by Daniel White.
Seven out of 10.
