Exorcism (1975) by Jess Franco

Director: Jess Franco

Year: 1975 (re-edited into a hardcore porn version later in the year; re-released in 1979 with extra scenes shot for this version)

Country: Belgium/France/Spain

Alternate Titles: L'éventreur de Notre-Dame; Sexorcismes; The Sadist of Notre Dame; Demoniac; Exorcism and Black Masses

Genre: Slasher

Plot:

Working on a new story, a deranged writer trying to come to terms with his deranged fanaticism, bringing wayward women who partake in depraved and sadistic activities, ends up attacking a group of performers working at a special sex club in the city for their transgressive behavior.

Review:

Overall, this was a rather fun and likable erotic horror effort. Among the more enjoyable factors within this one is the simple and profoundly easy-going setup that enables the film to unleash these factors within this kind of setup. The idea of the deranged priest hiding behind the veneer of an erotic story writer looking to keep his sinister urges in check by going around targeting women who he believes have fallen foul of the teachings of God through his sadistic torture devices gives this a strong setup which it can utilize the teachings for his perverse mindset. That he’s going through these actions in the name of purity and saving the souls of these women by following them around, stalking them in their home, and then performing the kind of sacrificial antics that resemble actual purification rituals that were practiced in the Inquisition offers a great way to bring this kind of storyline along.

As is to be expected from that kind of setup, the film’s other positive aspect lies in the fact that this all serves as an excuse for an endless array of sleaze, depravity, and perversions to take place. With the whole idea being to take care of deviant women who have fallen out of the grace of God through their open performance of overly sexual displays, the use of full-on lesbian dalliances, prostitution, S&M displays, or even orgies being featured here, these allow for a constant stream of full-frontal nudity or other kinds of sexual debauchery. Trying to carry on any kind of plot from these encounters falters, with the intent being to facilitate the next reason for him to strike, as these encounters are usually conducted with nude victims to pile on the sleaze even more before dealing with the cheesy, graphic gore for the encounters, and come together rather nicely with the strong, fast-moving tempo to give this a lot to like.

There are a few small issues to be had with this one. The biggest factor with the film is the nonsensical and generally unappealing investigation that takes place, where it's so incompetent it’s hard to believe everything went on as long as it did. The unhinged nature of the attacks and his detailed writings about the incidents make perfect sense as to be a culprit, and when it’s later revealed about his status in the church and subsequent escape from a mental asylum, it should’ve triggered more urgency from the police to investigate his actions rather than the half-hearted attempts mentioned here. As well, there are all the usual issues associated with these films, such as the flimsy production values, forsaking of traditional storytelling for sleaze-filled interludes, shoddy camera work, and other such tactics commonly found here, which are all that bring it down.

Overview: ****/5

An effective and generally enjoyable erotic horror effort, there’s a lot to like with this one that makes for a solid outing with only a few minor drawbacks featured here to hold it down. Those with an appreciation for the style, are hardcore fans of Eurosleaze like this, or who are fans of the creative crew will have the most to like here, while most others out there should heed caution.