Starting a Jess Franco collection

[Drugs in Tokyo]

Devil Hunter? Severin released it uncut here (The UK) not too long ago. S'pretty bad. But yeah, definitely check out 'A Virgin among The Living Dead'

[Demoncrat]

Originally Posted by Drugs in Tokyo

Devil Hunter? Severin released it uncut here (The UK) not too long ago. S'pretty bad. But yeah, definitely check out 'A Virgin among The Living Dead'

Really? ooh thats just too tempting

[Drugs in Tokyo]

Hahaha. Its worth picking up just for the interview included with Jess Franco in which he talks about DH.

[Wes]

I think Lorna the Exorcist is essential Franco as well.... Jesus, avoid The Devil Hunter at all costs !

Drugs in Tokyo...great username...and a great piece of godspeed you black emperor!

[Demoncrat]

Originally Posted by Drugs in Tokyo

Hahaha. Its worth picking up just for the interview included with Jess Franco in which he talks about DH.

as are all his interviews....heard his comm for Faceless? its a hoot.

[Drugs in Tokyo]

Thanks Wes!

Originally Posted by thehamish

as are all his interviews....heard his comm for Faceless? its a hoot.

No I've not but I'm pretty intrigued to now. May have to pick that up soon!

[Demoncrat]

Originally Posted by Wes

I think Lorna the Exorcist is essential Franco as well.... Jesus, avoid The Devil Hunter at all costs !

Drugs in Tokyo...great username...and a great piece of godspeed you black emperor!

spoilsport! tee hee.

[Chucky]

I bought The Jess Franco Collection Vol 2.

And I've just watched Downtown Heat.

Jesus. When he directed this, what was he thinking?

And what were Anchor Bay thinking when they released it?

Talk about a chore to sit through.

To my shock, despite this appearing like it might be a 70s movie, it was actually made in 1994!

[R-T-C Tim]

Franco is certainly one of the most 'Marmite' of directors, even his fans can disagree completely on which of his films are good or bad. His quality varies so much.

He has some very clearly defined 'periods' of film making, which can make it easier to find films you might like.

• His early films, 1960 - 68 were small scale Black and White projects like 'Orloff' and largely inspired by the Hammer films.

• Between 1968 and 71 he worked for British producer Harry Alan Towers, making a few very inept adventure films but also elaborate de Sade inspired erotica like 'Justine' and 'Eugenie', probably his most coherent and mainstream period of movie making.

• In 1971 he made a number of amazing films including 'Vampyros Lesbos' with the stunning Soledad Miranda, but on the verge of breakout fame she was killed in a car crash.

• Following this, Franco made a number of very workmanlike films, mostly for Eurocine in France, including 'X312 Flight to Hell'

• He returned to form later in the decade, working for Swiss director Erwin C. Dietrich making a number of WIP films among others, introducing Lina Romay for the first time.

• With the death of General Franco in Spain, Franco returned there to produce his own films, making a slew of micro-budget films, usually veering towards the pornographic (including Spain's first hardcore porn film).

• With his rediscovery on VHS and DVD Franco did seem to be coming back when he directed 'Faceless' (1988), but nothing really came of this.

• Most recently he has been working for straight-to-video firm One Shot Productions in America, shooting micro-budget productions which again focus mostly on the pornographic elements.

I badly need to update it, but I have reviews of 15 Franco films and a short biography on my Jess Franco guide

[Nemesis]

Even though I know some of the titles are cut, Jess Franco the complete collection is selling on AMZ UK for £23.99.