Morgane et ses nymphes

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.

Synopsis: Two sexy French twentysomethings, Françoise (Mireille Saunin) and Anna (Michéle Perello), come across a dilapidated castle which houses an evil (I guess) witch, Morgane Le Fey (Dominique Delpierre); her team of hot Girl Slaves; and her random huchbacked dwarf minion, Gurth (Alfred Baillou). The witch captures Françoise and Anna and forces them to decide: become Morgane's immortal sex slaves. . . or rot (as ugly old women) in the witch's dungeon for eternity.

Review: 'Girl Slaves of Morgana Le Fay' is probably one of THE most frustrating erotic horrors I've ever seen in my life. Much of the 'erotic' part of the film is gorgeous French girls (mostly redheads) making out, touching, etc., but most of those scenes only last for a minute or two, or they're intercut with random shots of creepy Gurth's face. And, let me tell you, when you're in the mood for an erotic horror film about hot French witch slaves, you do not want to be seeing Gurth, who looks like Zelda from Pet Sematary. The film is very aptly done. The direction and writing are surprisingly good in comparison to some of the other 70s erotic horrors. The acting isn't too shabby, either. It does get boring at times, especially during the random interpretive dance scenes (?). It's mostly, however, a classically done erotic fantasy-horror. Unlike many films like this, it actually works well as a real story & film. . . even if you removed all of the eroticism.

Final Verdict: 6/10.

The girlfriends Françoise (Mireille Saunin) and Anna (Michèle Perello) are traveling through the countryside of France by car. They stop at a roadhouse to drink wine and buy coffee, and the owner advises them to return. However they proceed their trip but they get lost on the road.

They decide to spend the night in an abandoned barn. In the morning, Françoise does not find Anna and she seeks her out. Out of the blue, the dwarf Gurth (Alfred Baillou) asks her to follow him and he shows a castle in an island where Anna would be.

Françoise takes a boat that sails alone and brings her to the castle. Sooner she learns that she has reached the lesbian realm of the witch Morgane (Dominique Delpierre) that proposes Françoise to stay in her kingdom living in eternal youth and beauty with her favorites Yael (Régine Motte), Sylviane (Ursule Pauly) and Sarah (Nathalie Chaine). Otherwise she would be doomed to get older and older in the dungeons of the castle. Further, Françoise learns that Anna has given her soul to Morgane and will stay in the place forever. But Françoise does not want to stay and plots a plan to escape.

"Morgane et ses Nymphes" is an erotic tale about a woman that is trapped in an oneiric castle of lesbians mastered by the evil witch Morgane. The director Bruno Gantillon succeeds in the atmosphere of dream, supported by gorgeous actresses and wonderful music score. But the film is disappointing since I was expecting much more from the synopsis. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Morgana e as Ninfas" ("Morgane and the Nymphs")

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

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.