A Virgin Among the Living Dead

Christina, Princess of Eroticism (1971)

**** (out of 4)

A young woman named Christina (Christina von Blanc) goes to a small village where she's to meet some of her relatives as well as hear the reading of her father's will. Before long it dawns on her that something isn't quite right with the family when her uncle (Howard Vernon) slaps her for inviting an outsider to the house and when her dead father (Paul Muller) shows up to try and warn her.

This here is without question one of the best films in director Jess Franco's career as it's a perfect mixture of art, Gothic nightmare and just a cold look at death. There are countless experts out there who will give theories on how this movie was Franco's most personal and why it was a direct connection to his star Soledad Miranda being killed shortly before this was made. It's worth noting that a lot of people overlook this as some sort of cheap horror movie but I think that's selling the film quite short. Known under a variety of titles including A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD, this film certainly manages to build up an eerie atmosphere and some great performances.

Some might say the story makes no sense but I'd argue that many dreams or nightmares don't make sense. This film is somewhere in between a dream and a nightmare because there are so many moods going on here. The dream-like nature can be seen in moments like when Christina goes swimming not realizing that she's being spied on. Another great and peaceful sequence simply shows her sleeping in her bed not knowing the evil she's surrounded by. The nightmare aspect of the film is perfectly captured in the atmosphere including the entire final fifteen-minutes where this character that you've come to care for slowly loses everything.

Performances are something that don't often get talked about when it comes to any Franco movie, which is a shame because we've got some great stuff here. This includes von Blanc who perfectly makes you believe the innocence of the character. Britt Nichols is wonderful as the overly sexual member of the family and Vernon is always worth watching. Muller and Anne Libert are good in their roles as is Franco who plays a dimwit. Another item that often gets criticized is Franco's use of zooms but they actually work well here and help build up the atmosphere and coldness of the picture.

As with many Franco films, this one here is available in several versions. I've seen at least six different versions including one with hardcore footage and another that had Jean Rollin adding zombies to the film. The best version to watch is the one running in at 79-minutes. It's the shortest version out there but it's said to be the one closest to the director's preferred cut. As is, Christina, PRINCESS OF EROTICISM is without question proof that Franco could create an art film and a great one at that.

Take a dash of Franco and layer in a generous helping of Rollin and, viola!, you have A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD.

This is a work of atmosphere and subtle eroticism. Although it is not a zombie film, death -- and those who wear its cloak -- is its central theme.

Christina von Blanc, an achingly beautiful creature, plays Englishwoman "Christine" who journeys to the rambling estate of her late father (Franco regular Paul Muller) for the reading of his will. Her stay is a nightmarish one as she is harassed by several socially challenged relatives (Howard Vernon being one), a muttering Igor (Franco himself) and local miscreants.

Not as technically accomplished as Franco work such as THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF or even DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER, this piece is, nevertheless, dream-like and filled with mood and unease. Bruno Nocolai's score is quietly evocative and Jose Climent's photography is low rent but brimming with inspiration. The rural locations are gorgeous, too.

Typically, the dramatic revelations are hackneyed and not everything makes much sense, but that is Franco's way, and if you can't accept that, steer clear of his fascinating, uneven oeuvre.

Ms. von Blanc makes every one of her screen moments sparkle and comes closest to possessing the magical aura of the late, great Soledad Miranda, Franco's most exquisite leading lady and muse.

The viewer that purchased the movie in a sale bin for 5 bucks, said it sucked!! Well with the entire movie on the cutting floor I can wonder why. I just finished the movie tonight, and saw the complete uncut version. It is the complete version with all the scenes. The FULL VERSION is great, spend some time to find the right copy, and then write your summary.

The student Christina Reiner (Cristine von Blanc) travels from her boarding school in London to the castle of her family in Montserrat for the reading of the will of her father that she has never known and recently committed suicide. On the arrival, she spends the night in an inn and people tell that nobody lives at the castle. On the next morning, the mute servant Basilio (Jesús Franco) brings Christina to the Montserrat castle, where she meets her weird Uncle Howard (Howard Vernon) that is playing waltz on the piano and her cousin Carmencé (Britt Nickols) that is painting her nails and they tell that her stepmother Herminia (Rose Kiekens) is on the deathbed. She visits Hermínia that tells her to leave the castle and dies. Christina also meets her Aunt Abigail (Rosa Palomar) and a Blind Girl and while waiting for the attorney, she entwines daydreams and nightmares with reality. When she has an encounter with the spirit of her deceased father Ernesto Pablo Reiner (Paul Muller), he tries to warn her to leave that place that is evil, but it is too late.

"La nuit des étoiles filantes" is a stylish and senseless trash by Jésus Franco. The story has a promising beginning, but suddenly the plot seems to be incomplete and does not make sense at all. I believe that the problem is the different versions of Jésus Franco's feature. The DVD released in Brazil, for example, has audio only in English and Portuguese but the introduction is written in French; the lead character is Christina Reiner, and not Christina Benton; there is Death, and not The Queen of the Night; the raping scene is totally mutilated. Therefore, his movies are edited in the most different ways and this procedure certainly makes the story senseless. My vote is two.

Title (Brazil): "A Virgem e os Mortos" (The Virgin and the Dead")

Many of the comments here are written about the hacked up version of 'A Virgin Among The Living Dead' so ignore them. This is actually a very watchable movie, not the best Jess Franco I have seen, but still above average. More an erotic fantasy than a horror movie per se, it will appeal to fans of 60s/70s Euroschlock like 'Nude For Satan' and Franco's classic 'Vampyros Lesbos'.

The stunningly beautiful Christina von Blanc plays the lovely innocent Christina Benson, who is summoned from boarding school in England to the reading of her father's will in a spooky castle. She never really knew her father, or had previously met her bizarre relatives who live in the castle, which according to the locals is deserted. It doesn't take much to work out her family's "secret", the title tells all. Christina however, is a bit slow to catch on. She spends most of her time wandering around in a daze, often naked (great news for us viewers!), and increasingly unable to tell dream from reality.

There's not much action in this movie, and very little horror, but it has an almost Argento-like nightmarish feel to it, and like most of Franco's output, is very stylish despite the obviously low budget. The sight of the gorgeous Ms. Blanc is more than enough for me to recommend this movie. One look at her and any failings 'A Virgin Among The Living Dead' has will quickly be forgotten! An enjoyable fun movie.