Girl Slaves of Morgana Le Fay

Inspired by the exploits of the famous witch found in Arthurian legends, this film has an appropriately medieval feel to it - not least because of its authentic castle setting and the evocative score by Francois de Roubaix (using the pseudonym Cisco El Rubio!). While it was sold as exploitation on the strength of its copious nudity (the mostly female cast also entailing lesbianism), the script - where characterization is given its due, which is more than can be said for most "Euro-Cult" titles! - is surprisingly literate. In this respect - not to mention having the titular character's dungeon crammed with a bevy of mostly willing slaves! - the film anticipated the "Elizabeth Bathory" segment in Walerian Borowczyk's IMMORAL TALES (1974). Speaking of Bathory, Dominique Delpierre's Morgana here actually reminded me of that character as incarnated by Delphine Seyrig in DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS (1971) - which, incidentally, was also scored by De Roubaix!

The sustained dream-like mood here results in a languorous pace, which is actually typical of low-budget fantasy films made in France during this time: its main purveyors were Jean Rollin and Jess Franco, but Gantillon's effort is ample proof that others (whose career wasn't as prolific and, consequently, faded into obscurity) were, at least, equally adept at this sort of thing; though it often descended into camp - which the title under review here, thankfully, doesn't! - Michel Lemoine's SEVEN WOMEN FOR Satan (1974), incidentally also a Mondo Macabro release, is another one of its kind I enjoyed a good deal.

Besides, the film's production values (primarily - and economically - utilizing natural resources), accentuated by Jean Monsigny's odd framing, impart the film with an effortless classiness not usually found in lowbrow "Euro-Cult" ventures. That said, the lengthy feast/lesbian orgy towards the end stops the film dead in its tracks and the unresolved ending may seem like a cop-out (though I took it as merely another bizarre touch in a movie filled with unconventional detail).

With respect to casting, this too appears to have received some uncommon consideration: the sinister-looking Alfred Baillou is memorable as Morgana's love-struck (yet jealous) dwarf henchman!; Delpierre (who is able to materialize wherever she pleases, as is demonstrated in the final moments of the film) and Regine Motte (as one of her three favored nymphs endowed with psychic powers: in fact, one of the most striking scenes in the film is when they relate to Morgana the movements of the fleeing heroine beyond the castle walls - which is shown in a form of stylized choreography) are the loveliest of the six leading ladies, but also the most able performers.

Last year this flick was released full uncut (85 minutes) here in our region, as soon as it came out it already vanished again and became an OOP. Strange because this is a weird flick.

Mostly it is classified under horror but there isn't anything in it to say it is a horror. It's all about sorcery and the eternal life that can be given if you agree with the rules. It is beautifully shot and even as there isn't that much happening you still keep watching it. All girls look like fairy but that's because the clothes they are wearing. One dance scene takes a bit too long even as it has a lot of nudity. Maybe that's the reason why it is hunted down and has become a French cult flick. There's a lot of nudity in it and a bit of full frontal. Still, it isn't gratuitous and do adds towards the fairy atmosphere.

Alfred Baillou (Gurth) is ideal in his role, his face and the androgyny he has given his character is excellent. Most of the actresses in this flick have only performed in a few flicks but they all looked believable.

It's a typical French soft erotic 'horror', I would even compare it with Jean Rollins, but then with money and good editing and acting. Recommended.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 2,5/5 Effects 0,5/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5

This was, admittedly, a film I picked up for the titillation factor, since I enjoy the sight of women from the 70's in their natural, undressed Euro glory.

However, this film was done in such a way as to find me enjoying it throughout, despite my initial misgivings.

Granted, I don't think it's the greatest movie ever, but the settings and the "fairy-tale" feel of it I found to be quite good, and the erotic elements were considerably enjoyable. The dialogue also wasn't as cheesy as I was expecting, which is always a good thing, considering many similar films of that era can't escape those faults.

The DVD is quite good, the quality of the picture is excellent, and includes a good interview with the director, Bruno Gantillon. Recommended for fans of 70's erotica and fantasy.

Françoise and Anna, a couple on holiday, stop at a local tavern only to be weirded out by a dwarf. Upon leaving, they get lost as women are known to do and their car breaks down so they choose to spend the night in a barn. They makes out heavily before falling asleep, the next day Françoise awakes to find Anna missing. The dwarf is there and tells her that he knows where her friend is, leads her to the castle of one Morgana LaFey, an immortal witch who grants immortality to other young women in exchange for their souls. But it isn't long before jealously takes hold of the other girls.

This film came as bit of a revelation to me in that I only bought it because the name and cover lept out at me, plus the fact that it was on sale didn't hurt in the least. It exceeded my expectations and I found it to be a heavily erotic, gripping, ambiance thick film. A minor lost classic that one would do well to seek out.

Eye Candy: Every girl in the film shows various amounts of skin

My Grade: B-

Mondo Macabro DVD Extras: 3 Alternate & Deleted scenes; "Un Couple D'Artistes" Short film; 11 minute interview with Director Bruno Gantillon; poster & stills gallery; Theatrical trailer; and a VERY gory nudity filled compilation trailer including "French Sex Murders", "Living Doll", "Satanico Pandemonium", "Panic Beats", "Clonus", "the Killer must kill again", "the mansion of madness", "Alucarda", "the diabolical Dr. Z", "Aswang", "the Living Corpse", "Blood of the Virgins", "Seven women for Satan", "Lady Terminator", "Crazy love", "Mill of the stone women", & "Dangerous Seductress"

One of the things that makes the 70's a superior era over the 80's for film is the soundtrack. Morgane et Ses Nymphes is no exception to this. The music is charming, without being tacky. Melodic without being intrusive and turning the mood sappy. In the 80's you could have a good film and then when the dischordant synth chords come through, it just always seems to detract rather than enhance. I felt like the composer was very familiar and must have been a very prolific contributor to many films of this genre/era, but I noticed that only one other film has been credited to him. The 3rd Man kept coming to mind... Not that this movie is a masterpiece, but the subject matter is interesting, in the Jean Rollin vein, and it's always an immense pleasure to see women in their au naturel state, pre-silicone. It's easy to see how it could have been perceived as borderline pornographic in 1971. The extras on this DVD are highly recommended. The short film made by the same director is worth a look for sure.