We've waited for over twenty years for decent home video releases of MANSION OF THE LIVING DEAD and MACUMBA SEXUAL, Jess Franco's unique and delirious early 1980s Horror y Sexo zombie epics. Filmed on Las Palmas, the exotic Canary Islands locations can now finally be seen in all their eye-popping glory. Having just spent the afternoon luxuriating in Severin Films brand new 2.35:1 transfers of these titles we are pleased to report that they are simply gorgeous. With necessary, helpful English subtitles and finally in their Techniscope OAR, the time for appreciating these previously obscure titles is at hand.
Franco's Golden Films Internacional period is quite different from his other work and these DVDs, from crystal clear, luminously colorful vault elements reveal layers of visual and thematic detail which just wasn't available in all previous presentations. Jess Franco and Lina Romay are also on hand with more surprising revelations, finally confessing the true identities behind Jess' many pen-names, the circumstances of production, Franco's evaluation of George Romero's zombie films, the truth about the "novels' of David Khunne and much, much more. David Gregory has proven over the years to be in a class by himself at producing quality supplementary interview documentaries and the ones here illustrate that he continues to improve-- stuffing as many facts, new revelations, compelling questions, appropriate graphics and a sense of humor into a breezy package that one wishes were even longer.
These discs will be must-haves for all serious fans of Jess Franco. Detailed reviews of both discs and the accompanying documentaries will soon follow. Stay tuned...
These discs will be must-haves for all serious fans of Jess Franco. Detailed reviews of both discs and the accompanying documentaries will soon follow. Stay tuned...
COMMENTARY BY ROBERT MONELL: COPYRIGHT 2006
Sounds extremely promising. A couple of years ago, one would never have thought that these Golden Films would see an appearance on this side of the Atlantic and in such quality.
ReplyDeleteThey are really beautifully done transfers from excellent elements. Amazing how many plot and character points are totally lost if you don't understand Spanish, so seeing these with correct Eng subs (and they've done a really spectacular job with the translations: concise but stinging with Franco's Bunuelian humor) is essential for full understanding and enjoyment. Also I didn't realize MANSION was based on a Becquer(?) story, as Franco reveals. I wonder if it's the same one John Gilling adapted in THE DEVIL'S CROSS, which also deals with a marauding Templar like sect? Franco doesn't indicate the name of the story though and his writings seem to be rather elusive here in the US.
ReplyDeleteThere are three Becquer short stories that deal with undead or ghostly monks. I've read them in the original Spanish and am in the process of having them translated. None of these stories are accurately interpreted by Franco's film or Amando de Ossorio's Blind Dead series, but the inspiration for those films is clear.
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