Review: Eugenie de Sade

Eugenie (Soledad Miranda) makes a deathbed confession to author/biographer (Jesus ‘Jess’ Franco himself), recounting the tale of how her depraved stepfather (Paul Muller) groomed her into a life of depravity, debauchery, and murder.

 

Not to be confused with the similarly titled “Eugenie…The Story of Her Journey into Perversion” (by the same director) or “Justine de Sade” (which is not to be confused with Franco’s own “Justine” for that matter), this 1973 Marquis de Sade adaptation from writer-director Jesus Franco (“99 Women”, “A Virgin Among the Living Dead”) is perhaps the perfect marriage of Franco, sleazy material, and actors. Basically this is what Franco’s “She Killed in Ecstasy” might’ve been like if it were based on a Marquis de Sade work. There’s a few slow spots here and there, but overall I actually think this is Franco’s best film. Yes, even better than my previous choice “Vampyros Lesbos”, and better than his more ‘respectable’ films like “Count Dracula” (a damn good film nonetheless) and “The Bloody Judge”. I don’t share Franco’s fondness for S&M stuff at all, but this of all of his films seems to get the balance right between being still indicative of its kinky filmmaker whilst also maintaining a certain artistic quality. I actually think it deserves some critical praise, not something often said about Franco. Obviously if you’re similarly inclined to Franco’s S&M fuelled worldview you’ll definitely love this one (apparently the original story goes the extra step further down into the muck by having the characters blood-related).

 

“Vampyros Lesbos” and “She Killed in Ecstasy” might be Soledad Miranda’s most iconic roles but this is perhaps her best showcase as a presence on film. The film was released 3 years after her untimely death, which will forever make me wonder ‘what if?’. She may not have been a great (or even good) actress per se, but she had something. Something I can’t say I’ve seen elsewhere, really. A fascinating mixture of sexuality and melancholic sadness. Whatever the ‘it’ factor is, she had all of it and it’s a damn shame she didn’t live past age 27. Meanwhile, Franco regular Paul Muller plays one of the most evil, corrupt, morally depraved characters of any Franco film. Those familiar with Franco might want to let that one sink in. The film is as stunningly shot as you’d expect from Franco, with just enough zoom that it’s not too indulgent but still being indicative of its maker. I think Franco was trying especially hard on this film (though I’ve heard he was filming multiple films simultaneously so perhaps not) and I really appreciated the effort and stylistic restraint.

 

I probably won’t rewatch this film as often as Franco’s hypno-erotic “Vampyros Lesbos”, as it’s not exactly a fun experience to endure. However. if you’re strong of stomach and curious as to whether Franco has any films of genuine artistic merit – this is the film more than any other with evidence of that. I’m not as negative on Franco as a filmmaker as many others seem to be, and even I was kinda blown away by this one. A tale of transgression, murder, and depravity, it’s really good…but also really dark and not a journey many will be interested in taking. 3% of you will want to see this and will likely admire it as I do, the rest of you have been warned. Terrific Bruno Nicolai (Franco’s “99 Women”, “Eugenie”, “The Bloody Judge”, “Count Dracula”, and “She Killed in Ecstasy”) score is a big highlight as well.  

 

Rating: B+