10kbullets

Emanuelle and Françoise – Severin Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1975
Director: Joe D'Amato
Writers: Bruno Mattei, Joe D'Amato
Cast: George Eastman, Rosemarie Lindt, Annie Carol Edel, Maria Rosaria Riuzzi, Giorgio Fieri, Massimo Vanni, Eolo Capritti, Patrizia Gori, Luciano Rossi

Release Date: April 30th, 2019
Approximate Running Time: 98 Minutes 15 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.98

"When a cold-hearted stud (George Eastman of Antropophagus infamy) drives her sister to suicide, Emanuelle (Rosemarie Lindt of Salon Kitty and Who Saw Her Die?) plots a seduction that includes sodomy, torture, J&B, lesbianism, cannibalism, meat cleavers and a super-groovy ‘70s soundtrack." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "a 2k scan from the original negative."

Emanuelle and Françoise comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22 GB

Feature: 17.6 GB

The source used for this transfer is in good shape; there are no noticeable issues related to source damage. Flesh tones and colors look correct, the image at times looks soft (though this appears to be intentional), and though black levels fare well, there are moments where they are not as convincing as they should be. Also, compression is very good, and there does not appear to be any egregious use of digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian), 3.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. The Italian-language track is the stronger of these two audio mixes. The Italian-language track sounds clean, clear, and balanced throughout. The English-language track has a hiss that is present throughout most of this track. With that being said, dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, a German theatrical trailer (3 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono German with removable English subtitles), deleted and alternate scenes (14 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), an interview with actress Maria Rosaria Riuzzi titled Three Women and a Mirror (14 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles) and an interview with actor George Eastman titled The Other Side of the Mirror (15 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles).

Summary:

Directed by Joe D’Amato, a prolific filmmaker whose output primarily consisted of erotica and horror films. Notable films he directed include Death Smiles on a Murderer, Emanuelle in America, and Beyond the Darkness. Joe D’Amato would direct five Emanuelle films; four of these films would fall into what is now regarded as black Emanuelle films.

Besides directing, Joe D’Amato also worked as a cinematographer on most of his films. And when he worked as a cinematographer, he used his real name, Aristide Massaccesi. His notable credits as a cinematographer include What Have You Done to Solange?, The Devil’s Wedding Night, and Escape from Death Row. Alternate titles that Emanuelle and Françoise have been released under include Emanuelle’s Revenge, Blood Vengeance, and Demon Rage.

The narrative revolves around the sister of a woman who committed suicide, the man she blames for her sister's death, and her revenge.

Italian-genre cinema never wasted an opportunity to capitalize on a successful film. During its peak in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Italian-genre cinema produced dozens of films that tried to capitalize on whatever was popular at the time.

That said, there are also many instances of films that were adapted from lesser-known films. In the case of Emanuelle and Françoise, the premise bears a striking resemblance to the Greek film The Wild Pussycat. Besides the premise, there are many instances throughout the Emanuelle and Françoise narratives that mirror The Wild Pussycat’s narrative.

From a production standpoint, Emanuelle and Françoise have all the elements that have become synonymous with the films of Joe D’Amato. There is an ample amount of sleaze and nudity. And there are a few unsettling moments that are undeniably Joe D’Amato. The memorable moment is a hallucinatory sequence where a group of people sitting at a table feast on a body.

Without a doubt, Emanuelle and Françoise's strongest asset is George Eastman’s (Absurd) portrayal of Carlo, the womanizing lover of the sister who kills herself. This role is the polar opposite of the types of roles that he is most known for portraying. Another performance of note is Patrizia Gori's (Cry of a Prostitute) in the role of Françoise, the woman whose suicide sets the story that unfolds in motion. Ultimately, Emanuelle and Françoise is another solid example of Joe D'Amato’s ability as a filmmaker to create a film that exceeds the sum of its parts.

Severin Films gives Emanuelle and Françoise a strong release that comes with a good audio/video presentation.