A Virgin Among the Living Dead

Byzantine, convoluted film directed by a Jesús Franco on an experimental kick. Hypnotic stream of dense, refined images, perfectly matching the non-tempo of a surreal adventure steeped in a creeping erotic subtext with mythical frills.

And yet, whatever charm could exude from all that esthetic elegance is squandered in several scenes due to the criminal overuse of the zoom lens that an incorrigible Jesús wields like a hatchet, making mincemeat of his sluggish narrative.

At any rate, a bucolic climate threatened by some bad weather, this film will mainly please fans of the Spanish director. If anything, those who demand solid screenplays, an iron-clad connection between cause and effect, and deep dialogue should avoid seeing this at all costs. On the subject of dialogue, in fact, we’re treated to questionable lines such as: “Poor soul! You shattered the big ebony phallus! Poor soul! Misery is now your lot!“.

Cast: Miss Von Blanc is charming in the – scantily clad – role of the young ingénue coming into contact with a world populated by Mephistophelean presences. Franco set aside a savory little part for himself, that of the mentally deficient deaf-mute servant. (Poor Christine, terrorized by his bizarre conduct, is nonchalantly reminded: “He’s a maniac“).

Among the scenes worthy of inclusion into the weird hall of fame, we would cite the funeral dirge chanted by the reunited family in honor of the latest victim (“De gustibus et coloribus non disputandum… miserere nobis… audaces Fortuna “iuvent”… sic transit gloria mundi…“).

Various versions of the film are obviously in circulation (there’s even one with zombies).