2010 is the 40th anniversary of Jess Franco's SIE TOTETE IN EKSTASE aka SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY. It was confirmed during my conversation with Paul Muller that the film was in production during June-July 1970, following VAMPYROS LESBOS and immediately preceding the final Jess Franco-Soledad Miranda film, THE DEVIL CAME FROM AKASAVA.
Rewatching this again recently I was struck by the overwhelming mood of grief and rage telegraphed by the actress as the avenging wife of the tormented scientist (Fred Williams).
The eroticism oftens veers off into the perverse-grotesque during the kill scenes. It's kind of a reworking of themes and characters from MISS MUERTE (1965) but this time the emphasis is much more on dark sexuality.
I also really appreciate the unique visual style. The director often shoots through reflective surfaces, furniture and strategically placed objects, like the wine glass Soledad sets right in front of the lens in the scene where she seduces Ewa Stroemberg.
It shares catchy music cues heard in both VAMPYROS LESBOS and DER TEUFEL KAM AUS AKASAVA by Hubler, Schwab and Bruno Nicolai.
Franco appears as a hypocritical member of the Medical Board who suffers a fate worse than death at the hands of the enraged Mrs. Johnson.
Soledad Miranda was always a striking presence and her performance here is one of her very best. She is, as usual in her Franco appearances, credited as Susann Korda. The direction is credited to "Frank Hollman."
The approximately 73 m IMAGE DVD is missing some transitional footage seen in other versions. Thanks to Mirek Lipinski for that information.
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