DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 79 minutes, two interviews (Jess Franco, Robert Taylor), theatrical trailer

ASPECT RATIO: 1.66:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

AUDIO: English Mono (no subtitles or close captioning options)

STUDIO: Blue Undergound/ Trans American Films

RELEASE DATE: 7-25-2006

SUCCUBUS is one of over a hundred films that Jess franco had directed. He has directed horror, adventure, and erotica. According to the FROM NECRONOMICON TO SUCCUBUS featurette where Jess Franco is interviews (French with English subtitles), he was inspired by a short story in the surviving pages of the NECROMOMICON to do an erotic horror film which he combined with a story he had written. It was originally called NECRONOMICON, but it was retitled SUCCUBUS by the distributors. I do think they made a good title change (despite Franco thinking the tile was stranger than the original). It sounds like one of those European films dubbed over into English. Blue Undergound does a good job of presenting the films on DVD and the package art if top notch. They have released several Franco films to DVD already. It is a definite plus to have the original theatrical trailer included on the DVD.

SUCCUBUS is a strange and yet boring film. The dream sequences are interesting to watch at times, but this strange fever dream of the film feels like it never takes off. Attractive model Janine Reynaud is Lorna, a woman with a simulated sadomasochistic sstage act. Her maanager (Jack taylor) is transforming her in a Devil on Earth. Lorna has strange dreams and begins to wonder what is going on with her. To some SUCCUBUS is a good film, but I just was hitting the remote at times to zip through some scenes. It has a few interesting ideas, but it never really comes to life like the film has taken a big dose of Prozac as it is afriad to be bold. SUCCUBUS isn't the type of film for me, but the other Jess Franco DVD that Blue Underground has me more interested. I will take a look at the Jess Franco Double Feature one of these days because the first 30 minutes of KISS ME, MONSTER held my attention more than the whole of SUCCUBUS. Jess Franco does make strange films and I hope to see more of them.

this review is (c)9-16-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com