Les Déportées de la section spéciale SS

The female body is a work of art, why would anyone want to see a movie where it is not treated well? I guess I'm wondering why entire sub-genres that are little more than a series of female torture and humiliation scenes are so popular (maybe we can be optimistic and say most viewers are just waiting for the 10-minute payback at the end?), but this is a discussion for another time, another place. There are certainly a lot of (often naked, usually beautiful, always natural) female bodies in "Deported Women of the SS Special Section", and the film itself is rather tamer than expected. In fact, for all the atrocities contained herein, the nastiest scene may be the one where the heroine licks the hairy leg of a fat middle-aged man! No no, the nastiest is probably what happens to that same man a little later (other reviews have already mentioned it)....Writer-director Rino Di Silvestro is better as the latter: the direction is almost arty at times (though the DVD transfer is rather murky), but the script is disjointed. As the prison camp's commander, John Steiner chews the scenery up and spits it out, contrasting with Lina Polito's quiet, dignified presence as his object of obsession. The film has its moments, but it is still recommended only to exploitation fanatics. (*1/2)

After seeing countless 'Nazisploitation' movies, I lost hope that anything from this genre could actually qualify as "good cinema." But "Deported Women of the SS" has all the trappings of a good film; competent, sometimes beautiful cinematography, haunting and romantic orchestral score, and characters that are developed enough that you can actually care about their fate. Not to mention very authentic looking military/SS uniforms, and hairstyles correct to the 1940's. Best of all, we have John Steiner, as SS Captain Herr Erner. what a great, sinister villain he makes here. He played a similar role in Tinto Brass' "Salon Kitty," and I cannot imagine anyone looking more believable in those gorgeous black SS uniforms. In "Deported Women" we learn that Herr Erner had a passionate affair with an attractive young woman,and is reunited with her years later, when she arrives at the concentration camp..as a prisoner. His obsession for her grows to the point that it could be his downfall.

For WWII enthusiasts, this is a must-see film. As far as the exploitation elements go, this movie doesn't go overboard. You get a lesbian rape scene, that winds up not being very enjoyable, as we are made to care about the victim. This is so rare with this genre of film. The actors are attractive and the high production values prevent this from looking seedy. This is certainly the best film of it's genre. I also recommend another nazisploitation film called "Nazi Love Camp," as it has good production values, and a good story. Try to find a good copy.

As I've seen this film, and no-one else has written anything about it I thought I'd say a few words, not that it is particularly remarkable. If you're even looking at this page you're probably a fan of Italian Exploitation (god help you) and this film is certainly that. It's about women in a Nazi prison, featuring such classic situations as the odd lesbian encounter, sadistic guards, and a lengthy bit of pubic hair shaving.

The plot is handled decently, I guess, being a rare film of this sort that actually provides some interest in the individual characters. This may come from the ridiculously over the top acting (especially from the camp commandant), but at least there is an air of some competence in the production.

In terms of deranged innovation, this film features an eye-opening razor-blade-in-a cork-up-the-vagina manoeuvre to thwart the amorous commandant. That scene, amongst others, contributing to the fact that it was apparently rejected for even Cinema exhibition in Britain. Tragically it occurs quite far into the film, and is not particularly gory or amusing or otherwise of interest. The fact that it is banned probably means more people will seek it out than otherwise would (I know I did).

There are a few scenes like the above, catapulting this film from a routine exploitation movie into something that leaves a bit of a nasty taste in the mouth. Moving from the sort of obviously fake nonsense most films of this kind have, to a seeming attempt to present degrading experiences realistically, for no reason other than whatever kicks viewers can get out of that. Not very many for most people I would expect.

Nonetheless worth seeing if you like the genre I imagine, especially the scene where, in an effort to impress the heroine, the commandant makes two women give him a blow-job (interesting seduction technique, certainly, but then the guy is a Nazi); his facial expression is great. However there's really nothing here that is particularly original, and (as above) will probably leave most feeling a little dirty. Still, no particular reason for it to be banned.

When one watches exploitation films of this genre, one really wants to see things taken more absurd, but this one takes things too seriously. The train cars having a light bulb in them was a startling puzzle. But then, things got more routine. Severe looking woman guards shouting to make sure there was no talking, and the requisite nudity. The Commandant, Herr Erner/Enner clearly was a monster, as some said, but he didn't act like that. His uniform showed attention to detail and he had an obese aide. They threw in some unnecessary liaisons, and that really interrupted the flow of the movie. Herr Enner had a past history with one of the captives, and had a scenario in mind with her that was all too predictable. I felt that everyone was taking the movie too seriously. If one thinks of some memorable movies of this genre, like in the Ilsa series, or even Love Camp 7, they knew what they wanted to be. I am not sure what this movie wanted to be.

"Deported Women of the SS Special Section" sure provides plenty of sordid details for those who adore the grim, gritty, and nasty side of B cinema. The thing is, it's going to require a fair bit of patience on their part, as this movie is *very* slowly paced.

The story deals with a variety of Jewish women taken prisoner during WWII and taken to a Nazi prison where they're subjected to the expected tortures. There's not much more story than that, except for the longing that ultra creepy camp commandant Herr Erner (John Steiner) expresses for leading lady Tania Nobel (Lina Polito).

There's some melodrama to get through, in between the exploitative moments, accompanied by plaintive music by the talented Stelvio Cipriani. But don't worry, voyeurs, you'll be more than happy with the constant parade of bare female flesh. In loving close-up, no less. We even get to witness as women are repeatedly (and slowly) shaved down below. Of course, there are shower scenes, and lesbian love making scenes. (There's even one male homosexual encounter.) And in addition to all of the female nudity, there's a brief glimpse of the male anatomy as well.

The acting is commendably straight faced. Polito is lovely but rather aloof. Erna Schurer co-stars as Kapo Helga; Solvi Stubing has a great role as a guard. The gorgeous Stefania D'Amario (of Fulci's "Zombie") plays Angela, and Rik Battaglia plays Dr. Schubert. The standout in the cast is clearly Steiner, offering a deliciously depraved performance. This is one kinky guy.

If you just can't get enough of this genre, this movie should prove to be satisfactory. Certainly the Italians were particularly adept masters at this kind of exploitation.

Seven out of 10.