Director: Claude Mulot
Review by: Nathan D. Pazsint


Released By: Mondo Macabro
Year of Release: 1970
Running Time: 94 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Color Format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: Dolby Stereo French/English, Optional English Subtitles
Region Code: Region 0, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
16:9 Enhanced? YES
Special Features: Interview with Didier Phillipe-Gerard, director Mulot's lifetime friend & assistant director, History of the film (text essay), Biographies, Photo gallery, Preview trailers
Trailer Online: No

Although details change, genre fans young and old should be familiar with the much utilized plot of LA ROSE ECORCHEE, as it has become somewhat of a French horror staple over the years from the early classic and origin of the tale, 1962's LES YEUX SANS VISAGE to the later Franco favorite FACELESS (1988). Society artist Frederic Lansac (Philippe Lemaire) becomes despondent after his young bride Anne's (delectable beauty Anny Duperey) face becomes horribly disfigured during an accident caused by Lansac's jealous former lover. Lansac, his muse withered by her fire ravaged visage seeks the help of an eccentric surgeon (the forever enjoyable Howard Vernon, appearing both here and in Franco's later FACELESS) on the run from the authorities to help him restore her beauty at any cost. Together, the two embark on a road of murderous cruelty in an attempt to steal the tender flesh needed to complete the scarred Anne's rejuvenation.

Claude Mulot, whose memorable French outings include the infamous and endlessly entertaining PUSSY TALK crafts a worthy homage to Franju's original classic, choosing to focus more on a ripe 70's sexuality and mild psychedelia then the more lyrical sensuality of the original. Strange fur laden dwarves and saturated castle walls mix with panicked nymphettes and dark European corridors to create a mood perfectly balanced between the removed caution of the pre-porn era horror show and the soon to come clot fests of the video era. At times the proceedings remind me vaguely of the lusty GIRL SLAVES OF MORGANA LE FAY, and although it is a film all its own, both create a clever mood of Technicolor daydream and Lewis Carroll like fantasy. Alice herself might feel no less lost amidst the deep red velvet of LA ROSE ECORCHEE then the wonderland from which we know her best. LA ROSE ECORCHEE certainly had no lack of talent in front of the lens as both Philippe Lemaire and Howard Vernon create characters both entertaining and engaging, and the Anny Duperey is as pretty and perfectly enticing as any siren of the 70's could be, swinging into manic cruelty as the film moves forward. What became of those, nutty little molesting dwarves? Who knows but they sure are fun to watch here.

In my opinion Mondo Macabro have never really released anything for which the quality could be considered lacking and LA ROSE ECORCHEE is no different. The colors are appropriately striking on the fantastic new anamorphic print, showing only occasional glimpses of expected wear. Special features have always been a highlight of Mondo Macabro's releases as Boum Productions have really pioneered and perfected the exploration of the genre film, approaching the subject from an intelligent yet accessible angle, while always striving for the polish and professionalism of a top shelf project. No surprises here I suppose, a classic slice of euro cinema given a beautiful treatment for a world DVD premiere, thanks again Pete and Andy!