Lorna the Exorcist [DVD] [1974] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Mondo Macabro unleashes yet another rare entry in the pantheon of perversity from the demented mind and elder statesman of Eurosleaze extraordinaire, Jess Franco, and the results are noteworthy to all Francophiles and Eurotrash enthusiasts alike. For the first time on dvd, we're treated to a 'lost' gem from the early 70's, probably Jess's most prolific period of filmmaking, and certainly ranking high among those films worth watching.

A French film from 1973, with only a few folks seeing it upon its initial release, the original print was lost or destroyed. It was later recut into a porno flick back in the early 80's by its producer, and most of the cut scenes were never recovered. This restoration utilizes three different 35mm sources and four different audio sources and, seeing as how it's been cobbled and sewn together much like Frankenstein's monster, the finished film quality is quite remarkable all around. It must have truly been a labor of love by Mondo Pete and Co., and a round of applause is well-deserved. Granted, there are an inordinate amount of jumpy edits and disjointed scenes, but this is a quality inherent in all Franco flicks, some more than others, but this time we can give him the benefit of the doubt and blame someone or something else... personally, I was impressed with the results.

Being a noted jazz aficionado, the directorial credits again go to Clifford Brown, the legendary trumpet player who frequently worked with drum wizard Max Roach, though we all know Jess helmed the camera, wrote the script (probably on his palm), edited and appears as the doctor in a mental ward, among other chores in this film. The widescreen ratio seems correct, and its languages are English audio or French with English subtitles. I viewed it in French w/ English subs, and aside from some occasional hiss, the sound was near perfect for a film of its age and history.

The title's a bit misleading, as there's no exorcist or exorcism anywhere to be found (see 'Exorcism' from 1974 on the Synapse label for Franco's take on that genre), this one's another Faustian pact tale or a perverse retelling of 'The Devil and Daniel Webster'. Patrick, a down-on-his-luck businessman, had an affair with a woman, Lorna, who was also a Succubus eighteen years ago, who enabled him to gain wealth, a happy family and prosperity. As it turns out, she reappears now to collect a debt in the form of his daughter, Linda (Franco's muse, Lina Romay), on her eighteenth birthday, while the family's vacationing at a casino resort. When Patrick unequivocally states that he will not relinquish his daughter to her, Lorna infects his wife (Jacqueline Laurent, who also appears in 'Sinner', another great, recent Mondo release) with the worst case of crabs you could ever imagine. It would be heresy to divulge more about that one. Patrick has to stop Lorna before she destroys his family and himself, and time has just about run out.

Now, on to the good stuff - the sleaze quotient's been cranked up to a Spinal Tap '11' everywhere - Lina Romay looks about as attractive as I've ever seen her (this was made around the time of 'Female Vampire'), and if you were her gynecologist you couldn't see more of her, Jacqueline Laurent is a fine specimen of middle-aged splendor (before the term MILF was coined) and looks fabulous writhing around a bed nude, and Pamela Stanford would be fine if she didn't have some bizarre transvestite eye-makeup on to make her look 'occult-like', but her form is not easily forgotten. Franco friend and regular Howard Vernon makes his usual cameo (doesn't this guy own a mirror or a comb?) that is easily forgotten seeing as he doesn't speak a word. Back to the naughty bits - there's gratuitously abundant full-frontal female flesh on parade, plenty of clam-shucking and box lunches to be had, more bush than the African Serengeti, and the afore-mentioned vaginal 'Attack of the Crab Monsters'. (Roger Corman would be proud).

As usual, we can always count on MM to heap loads of extras our way - this time out there's an 'About the Film' featurette, a cast and crew bio, 'Fear and Desire' on Franco, writer Stephen Thrower comments on 'Lorna', deleted and extended scenes, an interview with Gerard Kikoine on working with Franco (but it's the same one that's used on 'Sinner: Diary of a Nymphomaniac') and the extended 'More from Mondo Macabro' trailers that never get old. Kudos to these folks for delivering the goods to an eagerly-waiting audience yet again.

This is another example of what Jess does best - feverish, erotic delirium that's barely coherent but hauntingly mesmerizing to the Nth degree. God Bless him.

For fans of quirky Spanish director Jess Franco, this new release by Mondo Macabro of his early 70's film 'Lorna The Exorcist' is pure gold! A preamble to the film speaks of the impressive effort that was apparently made to track down and reassemble (from 4 seperate 35mm prints) the most complete version of the film ever made available for home viewing. The DVD authors appologize for some of the imperfections in the transfer due to the multiple sources used, but the overall quality of the presentation is actually excellent. It is noted that there were originally two versions of the film - one as cut by Franco and another that inserted extra footage of stronger sexual content from other movies by the Producer! It's not totally clear which version this is - but, regardless, the film is awash in full female nudity, hot sapphic love scenes, and ample examples of Franco's penchant for zooming in on the pubic bush.

As has been noted - the plot doesn't really feature any exorcism action - it is actually more Faustian in nature. A 'down on his luck' business man meets a mysterious woman (Lorna) at a casino and she sort of magically increases his fortunes in life, alluding to her dark master, and exacts a promise from him in return for her benificent services - that he produce a female child that will be turned over to Lorna when she becomes an adult The action of the movie starts as the daughter is about to celebrate her 18th birthday and Lorna puts in an appearance to collect her due. Much to the consternation of the father Lorna seduces the young girl - leading to numerous hot scenes of lesbian sex until the 'startling' conclusion. The women in the film are all very attractive but a stand-out treat is the casting of Franco's muse and life partner, Lina Romay, in one of her first roles - as the smouldering, blossoming daughter. This movie showcases Romay at the peak of her youthful beauty and it's easy to see why Franco went ga-ga over her! The movie also features some pretty cool modern architecture (apparently another of Franco's passions) in background settings and there is a typically Franco-esque inventive and hip musical score throughout.

Franco's films are sort of an acquired taste - they have their awkwardnesses and slow spots that can be a little annoying, but generally deliver nicely in the gratuitous sexploitation department. Lorna The Exorcist is thanks, perhaps, to the Producer's inserts) one of the most explicit of the Franco offerings available to date. The disk includes a goodly helping of 'extras' as well - commentaries and informative featurettes. All in all a great package - highly recommended.

In the sick, sick world of Franco an uncut version of this film was the holy grail for almost three decades. Every since the review in Phil Hardy's excellent The Encyclopedia of Horror Movies it has been high on the list of Francophiles everywhere. For years we had to make do with hacked-up gray-market bootlegs. Now, finally, here it is in all its crazed, hypnotic, uncut glory thanks to Mondo Macabro. I should mention this film is not for the Franco beginner (if you are new to Jess Franco's crazy filmmaking world I would suggest titles like "Venus in Furs" or "The Diabolical Dr. Z" or maybe even one of his Soledad Miranda efforts like "Vampire Lesbos"). Franco is an acquired taste --and definitely not for everybody. His use of the zoom lens and non-linear story telling (often maddening in his lesser works) somehow gels in "Lorna The Exorcist" to create a lyrical and disturbing world that will stick with you for days. To my mind, it is his twisted masterpiece; a film unlike any other. I won't describe the plot (others already have in these reviews) just 'cause words can't do justice to the feel and mood of this amazing flick.