DVD released: August 28, 2007.
Approximate running time: 92 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic 1.78.1 Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono Mono
DVD Release: Severin Films
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.95

Reviewed by:
Ian Jane on August 25, 2007.

Another European softcore film obviously influenced by the success of Just Jaekin's original  Emmanuelle, Hubert Frank's 1977 film, Vanessa, stars the lovely Olivia Pascal (familiar to Eurocult fans for numerous roles including that of Angela in Jess Franco's Bloody Moon) in the titular lead role. When the film begins, this young woman was orphaned at a young age and grew up in a convent. When she matures, she learns that she's inherited some property in Hong Kong of all places.

Vanessa boards a plane and heads to the Far East to check out her new digs and once she arrives, she seen finds out that her inheritance is rather untraditional - she is now the proud owner of a string of bordellos! Initially Vanessa is apprehensive about her new properties, but soon, with some convincing courtesy of a few supporting cast members, she learns that there's more to life than worrying about little things like morals or legality and she takes the initial steps towards accepting her newfound lifestyle. Unfortunately, not everyone she comes into contact with has her best interests in mind and Vanessa will learn that not everyone can be taken at face value.

Directed with loads of style by Czechoslovakian born Hubert Frank (whose filmography is comprised almost entirely of German softcore sex films), Vanessa isn't a particularly remarkable film in that it doesn't differ much in terms of plot of story from the other softcore films that were popular at the time. Like most of the Emmanuelle knock-offs, it's a story about a young woman who travels to an exotic land and loses her innocence. Hubert isn't reinventing the wheel here, he's definitely sticking to what at the time was a very commercially viable formula.

What makes the film an above average European skin flick, however, are a few of the more unusual set pieces and some of the cinematography. The camera work is quite good and it does a fine job of capturing the exotic locations. Yes, it's a very soft looking picture, like most films of its ilk from this era, but it works and strange shots like the one with the two women on the beach in the wicker chair are just odd enough to stick with the viewer. In terms of sex, well, Vanessa delivers. Frank plays with taboos a little bit in the film by showing us, via a flashback, how Vanessa was spanked by nuns during her stay in the convent. A few lesbian encounters are definitely meant to be erotic highlights of the film and they succeed in steaming things up a fair bit. 

Rounding out the cast are appearances from a few other notable Eurocult stars. Anton Diffring, who plays the sadistic Cooper, appeared in Jess Franco's Faceless. Gunter Clemens pops up in Walter Boos' Magdelena - Possessed By The Devil and Astrid Boner appears in Schoolgirl Report 9 and Run, Virgin, Run.

Vanessa was previously released on DVD in NTSC Region 2 format only in Japan from Arri Media in a 4x3, non-anamorphic transfer with audio options provided in English and Japanese and with Japanese subtitles. Surprisingly enough, the Japanese disc was uncut and un-fogged. Severin's new Region 0 NTSC release, also completely uncut, understandably omits the Japanese language option and adds anamorphic enhancement to the transfer. Obviously for the non-Japanese market, this is a big plus.

The English language Dolby Digital Mono sound mix is fine, if unremarkable. The dubbing sounds just a little bit flat in a couple of spots but aside from that things are decent enough. Dialogue is clean and clear and there are no problems with hiss or distortion. The theme song sounds quite nice and will probably stick in your head for a time afterwards!

A second featurette, Vanessa Revealed, is sixteen-minutes worth of behind the scenes footage that was shot on set during the production. It's presented here with only music behind it and it looks like it was shot on 8mm as it is fairly grainy but it does provide a very intimate look at the production while it was under way. Plenty of nudity and skin on display here, just like in the feature itself!

Wrapping things up is an English language theatrical trailer (2:51) featuring some fantastic narration, animated menus, and chapter stops.

A reasonably interesting European softcore picture with plenty of skin and oodles of sin, Vanessa doesn't reinvent the erotica wheel but it tells a reasonably good story, showcases some exotic locations, and makes the most out of its lovely cast. Severin's DVD looks and sounds quite good and the extras are interesting making this one worth a look for fans of the genre.

Want more info? Check out the Severin Films website by clicking here!