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Three Eurotrash classics get redone and re-released.

A few years back, near the dawn of DVD, a company called Redemption released a slew of Euro-horror films on the American market through Image. These films, never available on video in the States, drew compliments and complaints, as apparently some of them were lacking in certain areas. A few weren’t completely uncut and the materials weren’t always properly restored. They appear to have gotten their act in order though, as several of those films are now being re-released by Redemption again. Numbered on the side to convene a series I suppose, DVDs 15 thru 17 are being released, those titles being (respectively) Virgin Witch, Lips of Blood and Nude for Satan.

Virgin Witch is an at times tame look at Satanism making its way into the worlds of modeling and swinging. Because as we all know, you have to sell your soul to the devil to become a supermodel, and those filthy swingers always evoke the Goat-headed Demon at their orgies. Two sisters look to break into the fashion world when one is picked up by a lesbian who invites her to do a photo shoot at a country house. There, they are introduced into the witches coven, and while Ann (the “bad” sister) is all for it, Vicki (the “good” sister) has reservations. Somehow, I’m not sure how, Ann ends up with psychic powers that she uses to protect Vicki from the evil-doers.

For all intents and purposes, Virgin Witch is like a bad Hammer film, just with a bit more nudity. It’s pretty stuff at times, and doesn’t really have that much of a plot. It does have a little gothic atmosphere and I already mentioned the nudity, which is always welcome in any film.

The DVD contains a smattering of special features, such as the original trailer, some photo galleries and original artwork. The print utilized is nice and colorful, though a few times does seem to be a bit soft.

Next up is the 1975 Jean Rollin effort Lips of Blood. Rollin was well-known for infusing gothic and vampire elements into the porn films he made, and porn elements into the gothic films. In this one, a partially amnesiac man tries to uncover why he’s seeing visions of a girl from a youth he doesn’t remember, and in the process encounters a quartet of vampire women.

The film is done in a surreal, eerily dreamlike way, as was often a trademark of Rollin’s. Many consider him a cheap Jess Franco wannabe, but Rollin’s films have what Franco’s lacks: Talent, plot and quality. Rollin isn’t real big on dialogue here though, preferring to let a good part of the movie take place with just the imagery and sound supporting it. Annie Belle, as the mysterious ghostly young woman, is a knockout.

Extras here are better supplemented on this disc. Rollin contributes a fun, if sometimes sluggish, running commentary. There’s also a special introduction to the film by Rollin. From there we get interviews with lead actor Jean-Loup Philippe as well as Nathalie Perrey, who portrayed his mother in the film. Stills galleries and trailers round out the special features.

The print is pretty nice, though there’s some obvious splicing and difference in film quality at times.

Finally, we get to Nude For Satan, which has me sold just on the cover jacket alone. It also scores points by living up to its name. There is a ton of nudity here, and it’s definitely in the name of the horned dude. Basic plot, what little there is, has a couple arrive at a mysterious castle, hoping to get some help for the woman in the couple. Instead, they encounter the inhabitants of the castle, a motley crew who are...well, you pretty much can see where this is going.

It gets better, as at one point, the girl is molested by a two-foot long randy spider.

Naked chicks, devil worshipers and a horny arachnid. You really can’t go wrong here.

Gothic and silly at the same time, the film’s a blast to watch just for its sheer weirdness. The print is really nice looking. Special features include the original trailer and a stills gallery. Oddly, the jacket also trumpets a Jean Rollin filmography and a half-hour documentary on him. Neither appear to be on the actual disc, and just as well, seeing as how this isn’t a Rollin film (it was directed by Luigi Batzella).

In the end, none of the three films make a damn lick of sense, but they’re enjoyable enough in their trashy 1970s exploitation form. Redemption could have a good thing here if they keep up the releases. Recommended for fans of the trippier Hammer films who have a taste for a little gratuitous nudity thrown in.

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