Directed by Nigel Wingrove
Review by David Carter


Released by Heretic Films
Running Time: 72 minutes
Year of Release: 2005
Rating: NR
Color format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: English Stereo
Region Code: 1, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
16:9 Enhanced: No
Special Features: Director's commentary, Extensive still galleries, including storyboards and behind the scenes
Trailer Online: Yes

Nunsploitation films made up only a relatively small piece of the spectrum of seventies exploitation films. Many of the films were loosely based on Ken Russell's adaptation of Aldous Huxley's THE DEVILS. While exploitation films rarely improve upon their source materials, nunsploitation films had the added difficulty of trying to be more gratuitous and shocking than that film, which itself had much in common with the sex and violence elements of exploitation. Nunsploitation's scarcity had a commercial aspect as well, since nunsploitation films weren't as financially successful in the US as they were abroad. Director and owner of Redemption Films Nigel Wingrove has a deep love for the genre and he is one of the foremost authorities on nunsploitation films. In 2000, he released his own attempt to revive and modernize the genre, SACRED FLESH.

Sister Elizabeth is the Mother Superior of the Sacred Heart Convent. In her role as head of the convent, it is her duty to hear the confessions of all of the sisters. The task of having to hear the lusty desires and sins of the young sisters has sent Sister Elizabeth into a downward spiral of madness. She sees visions of Mary Magdalene, who mocks her faith and prods her to give into her desires. To strengthen herself, she also sees a far more chilling vision. A skeletal nun named Repression appears to help Elizabeth quell her desires in the face of overwhelming temptation. Sister Elizabeth remembers through flashbacks each confession that has pushed her to this point. Will the recollections of the sins of her fellow sisters push her further into madness though?

SACRED FLESH is a beautifully shot and well-directed film. Wingrove was also the artistic director on the film and the production has an ethereal dreamlike quality in some scenes that is contrasted by the nightmarish look of others. The film itself, however, is far closer to a softcore sex film than the nunsploitation films from which Wingrove drew inspiration. It appears as if Wingrove was unable to make up his mind about the type of film he wanted to make. The dialogue is very well written and it has complex discussions of issues of faith but these don't mesh at all with the explicit lesbian romps they are coupled with.

SACRED FLESH has been released recently on DVD by Heretic Films. The print quality is outstanding, and Wingrove's beautifully designed scenes really shine. Aside from a director's commentary track, the only extra features are several still galleries from the production and promotion of the film. I was a bit disappointed by this, especially since Wingrove had done a few excellent short documentaries for Mondo Macabro's nunsploitation releases earlier in the year. There was more information about SACRED FLESH on the DVD of SATANICO PANDEMONIUM that there was on this disc.

SACRED FLESH has several well-done and entertaining elements. The look of the film is definitely a highlight, and the acting performances are well above average for a smaller production. Even the sex scenes are done better than most films. However, these elements do not combine to make an overall good film experience. There is too much anti-religious melodrama to be a sex film, and too much sex to be a true nunsploitation movie. It is worth watching for the beautiful visuals, but most viewers will want a more balanced experience.