Story of a Cloistered Nun

Italian nunsploitation set in Italy in the 1600s. A young noblewoman named Carmela, promised as a child in an arranged marriage, decides instead she wants to marry a lover of her choice. This brings huge disgrace on her family. The only solution is for them to have her forcibly admitted to a convent, as becoming a nun is the one socially acceptable reason for backing out of the deal. The convent (surprise) turns out to be a hotbed of drinking, partying, and same-sex relationships. Carmela's arrival creates increased tensions in an already strained relationship between the Mother Superior and a Sister Elisabeth, as both women take a romantic interest in the new arrival. She isn't interested in either of them in that way, and only wishes to escape and rejoin her lover so that they can wed.

Despite sounding like the usual sleazy nun-fest, it actually isn't. There's some nudity, including one flogging; but the story has some substance and the characters are fleshed-out (no pun intended) to the point where you actually care about them. British actress (and giallo queen) Suzy Kendall gets to show her acting chops for once as the Mother Superior (a role that Joan Collins was to play, before she backed out), the late, beautiful Catherine Spaak is great as the scheming Sister Elisabeth, and the gorgeous Eleonora Giorgi (in her first lead role) makes an impression as the radiant Carmela. Some nunsploitation fans might find themselves feeling a bit let down it's not.. sleazier, and it's a tad slow at times with a few scenes feeling over-long; but it's certainly a change to see one of these that doesn't rely solely on T&A to draw an audience. 6.5/10.