DVD released: 2002
Approximate running time: 86 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.33.1
Rating: NR
Sound: ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Release: Wild East
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.98
Reviewed by:
Ian Jane on November 24, 2002
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Eugenie DeSade DVD released: 2002 Approximate running time: 86 minutes Aspect ratio: 1.33.1 Rating: NR Sound: ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono DVD Release: Wild East Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC Retail Price: $29.98 Reviewed by: Ian Jane on November 24, 2002 |
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| Quick links: [video] [audio] [extras] [overall] |
| The Film |
| Soledad Miranda
brings a sensual naivety and innocence
to the screen in Eugenie De Sade, on of her multiple
collaborations with Jess Franco. Spending most of her
screen time naked, and a fair bit of that naked time
in the fetal position, she plays the title character,
Eugenie, the step-daughter of Albert, a chic writer
enjoying some popularity in elitist circles in Europe.
The two of them share an unusual and intertwined existence together. Eugenie's mother died when she was young, and she acts as if Albert were in fact her real father, and she's also more than a tad obsessed with him. Albert, on the other hand, while moderately successful, feels disenfranchised with the world, and as such, sets out to explore the more sexual aspects of the world around him. When Eugenie reads an erotic book that she finds in Albert's study, she begins to change. When Albert finds out about her discovery, however, he is pleased that she has opened this door, and in fact, encourages her as the two play some unusual sex games together. When the two of them decide to take it even further, they being to commit a string of murders, all sexual in nature, and celebrate together by having sex with each other afterwards. When Attila Tanner (played by Franco) uncovers what they've been up to, he convinces them to let him transcribe their exploits, and things take a turn for the even stranger, and start to go awry. Eugenie De Sade is one of the more coherent of Franco's films that I've seen, and while it's not exactly going to keep you on the edge of your seat, it's not a total waste of time either, like some of his other works. The film benefits greatly from the onscreen presence of Miranda, who simply radiates sex during her entire screen time and is actually quite believable as the girl gone astray Eugenie. Almost entirely void of trademark Franco techniques such as the infamous crotch zoom and odd, meandering out of focus camera work, Eugenie is a pretty decent film that fans of Franco, and in particular, Soledad Miranda, are going to want to hunt down. |
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| Video | 4/5 | |
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| Audio | 3/5 | |
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| The film is presented in English in Dolby Digital Mono. While this isn't exactly a demo disc for your surround sound system, it gets the job done, everything comes through nice and clear with only a bit of hiss. |
| Extras | 4/5 | |
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| Besides some interesting liner notes, the French theatrical trailer for the film is included, but the main extra is some unfinished rough footage from three never completed Franco films. Though the footage, out of context as it is, doesn't make a whole lot of sense, it's interesting to see and there are some legitimately bizarre moments captured therein. They're worth at least one watch, especially for Francophiles. |
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| Overall | 4/5 | |
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| A better than average Franco film with some freaky themes and a great performance from the smoldering Miranda. The disc isn't readily available in stores, but you can order it from the www.xploitedcinema.com. |
| Film Rating | DVD Rating | |||
| Director: | Jess Franco |
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| Writer: | Jess Franco |
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| Released: | 1970 |
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| Cast: | Soledad Miranda, Paul Muller, Andres Monales, Greta Schmidt, Jess Franco, Alice Arno |
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