Suor Emanuelle

Sister Emanuelle (1977) follows the exploits of Emanuelle as she tries to find God and cleanse herself of sin by being a nun in a convent. Her devotion to God and not her old hedonistic lifestyle is challenged by a wild new convert. Can Emauelle resist temptation and cling to her new found love of religion or will the wild and carefree Emauelle reemerge and embrace her old lifestyle?

I was disappointed by this movie. It's okay but I was expecting a whole lot more because it's Emanuelle mixed in with nunsploitation. This could have been an instant classic, but it fails on some levels but not all. A must for die hard Emanuelle fans.

Granted, I can't claim to be a fan of the "Emanuelle" movies really, but I have seen a number of them over the years, whenever I had a chance to watch one. But it is not like I have been actively chasing after the movie in order to get to watch them. Yeah, I am not really all that keen on the exploitation genre.

But as luck would have it, then I had the opportunity to sit down in 2022 and watch the 1977 Italian "Suor Emanuelle" (aka "Sister Emanuelle") movie from writers Gerolamo Collogno, Mario Gariazzo, Ambrogio Molteni and Marino Onorati. I wasn't really harboring much of any expectations to the movie, but did sit down to watch it with an open mind and a clean slate.

As it turned out, then director Giuseppe Vari actually delivered a movie that wasn't all that bad. Sure, it was the usual type of mundane nudity and attempts of being a semi-erotic movie, but in comparison to many of the other "Emanuelle" movies I have seen, then this one was actually watchable.

For me it was the nun and cloister aspect to the storyline that actually made the different, plus the fact that it felt like the writers had actually put in an effort to make "Suor Emanuelle" more than just another archetypical "Emanuelle" movie.

And of course it is good to see Laura Gemser in the role of Emanuelle, as she single-handedly has embodied that particular role and made it hers and hers alone.

If you enjoy the exploitation genre then "Suor Emanuelle" is actually a step up the ladder and is worth checking out, if you haven't already done so.

My rating of the 1977 "Suor Emanuelle" lands on a five out of ten stars.

In a real change of pace for the "Black Emanuelle" series Emanuelle (Laura Gemser) has become a nun(!), and has been put in charge of a naughty teenage vixen (Swiss miss Monica Zanchi) who is being escorted to a convent school after her father catches her in bed with her young stepmother! While Emanuelle tries to morally straighten out the girl, the girl tries to immorally straighten out every guy she meets (including a dangerous escaped convict played my Gabriel Tinti)and to corrupt the nun. You can pretty much guess who wins this contest, especially since "Sister Emanuelle" turns out to be much more corrupt than the girl to begin with.

This movie was not directed by Joe D'Mato, but fits right in with the transgressive films he directed in the series in that it manages to combine "nunsploitation" (politically incorrect by today's standards) with schoolgirl exploitation (VERY politically incorrect by today's standards). I might point out though that the voluptuous Monica Zanchi is not especially believable as a schoolgirl, and the svelte and sexy Laura Gemser is not even remotely believable as a nun, so I think we're pretty safely ensconced in the world of fantasy here. The two actresses are a pretty incendiary combination, and downright explosive when you add in Italian sex bomb Dirce Funari as the stepmother.

Along with "Emanuelle, the Queen" this probably has the strongest plot of any film in the series, and unlike that one doesn't fall apart in the end. It does fall back on a hoary old cliché in the finale, but it actually works here because it leaves it pretty ambiguous whether all the degradation we've witnessed really exists in the heart of the girl or the nun. It's also pretty well made--for instance, there's a memorable scene where the girl talks in voice over about having been "raped" by three guys on the beach while the visual flashback shows what REALLY happened. (Some 15 years later I remember mainstream movie reviewers practically wetting themselves when overrated "film genius" Steven Soderberg did the exact same thing in "Sex, Lies, and Videotape"). The music is pretty good too. Recommended.

There is a lot of variety in the Emanuelle series, and as such; a lot of strange and rather silly ideas; but having Laura Gemser dressed up as a nun and living in a convent is surely one of the silliest! I'd even go as far as to say that this plot could be considered blasphemous! Clearly, this film is just an attempt by director Giuseppe Vari to cash in on both the Emanuelle series and the nunsploitation wave in one fell swoop, and as is the case with a lot of the Emanuelle flicks; the only thing that really ties this film to the rest of the series is the lovely leading lady, Laura Gemser. Apparently, Emanuelle has decided to renounce her shady past and has taken up residency inside a convent. She is given the task of looking after the young and beautiful Monica; a girl who was dropped off at the convent by her wealthy father. However, it's not long before the young girl's outlook on life begins to rub off on the previously promiscuous "nun" and Emanuelle begins to question whether or not being a woman of God is actually a suitable career path...

In the context of the rest of the series, and considering that there is no explanation for Emanuelle's sudden change of attitude, it has to be said that the plot line featured in this film is absurdly ridiculous. However, the film clearly isn't meant to be looked at that way and as a stand alone nunsploitation flick; Sister Emanuelle is excellent, and by far my favourite of the ten or so Emanuelle flicks that I've seen. The film does represent a real change of pace for the series as for most of the film; Emanuelle is retracted to a nun's habit and doesn't feature in as many sex scenes as we're used to. That isn't a big problem, however, as this time Laura Gemser is joined by the beautiful Swiss actress Mónica Zanchi, who pretty much takes up the lead role. Unlike most Emanuelle films also, this one actually has a couple of themes going on; namely, the corruption of innocence, and judging by the ambiguous ending, there also seems to be something in there about how a person like Emanuelle is not going to be able to abandon what it is she stands for. Overall, this is a very good little film and comes highly recommended to both Emanuelle fans and exploitation fans in general!

"Suor Emanuelle" (1977) is an intriguing yet flawed exploration of the human psyche, cloaked in the alluring and controversial garb of a nun's habit. Directed by Giuseppe Vari, this film dares to tread where many would falter, delving into the murky waters of religious fervor, carnal desires, and existential angst.

At its core, "Suor Emanuelle" follows the titular character, Sister Emanuelle, portrayed with a compelling mix of innocence and seduction by Laura Gemser. Emanuelle's journey is one of inner conflict, as she grapples with her vows and the magnetic pull of forbidden passions. Gemser's performance is a highlight, bringing depth to a character that could have easily been reduced to a mere stereotype.

The film's narrative is a patchwork of evocative scenes and jarring transitions. While some moments resonate with raw emotional power, others feel disjointed, leaving viewers scrambling to connect the dots. Vari's direction, though ambitious, sometimes falters in maintaining a cohesive tone. The cinematography oscillates between the sublime and the risqué, capturing the lush beauty of the Italian countryside alongside provocative, and occasionally gratuitous, depictions of Emanuelle's struggle.

One cannot overlook the film's audacious use of eroticism. While it aims to challenge and provoke, it often teeters on the edge of exploitation. The delicate balance between artistic expression and sensationalism is a tightrope that "Suor Emanuelle" walks precariously. For some, this will be a bold exploration of taboo themes; for others, it may come across as unnecessarily indulgent.

The supporting cast delivers a mixed bag of performances. Some, like Monica Zanchi as Sister Anna, provide a robust counterpoint to Emanuelle's turmoil, while others fade into the background, their characters underdeveloped and their motivations unclear. The screenplay, penned by Maria Pia Fusco and Mario Gariazzo, is laden with philosophical musings and theological debates that, while intellectually stimulating, sometimes bog down the narrative momentum.

The film's soundtrack, an eclectic mix of haunting melodies and discordant notes, mirrors the tumultuous journey of its protagonist. It enhances the atmosphere, pulling the audience deeper into the labyrinth of Emanuelle's mind.

In conclusion, "Suor Emanuelle" is a film that swings for the fences but only occasionally hits its mark. It is a bold, imperfect work that will undoubtedly spark conversation and contemplation. For those willing to embrace its imperfections and delve into its provocative themes, it offers a unique cinematic experience. However, its uneven execution and occasional descent into excess prevent it from achieving the greatness it aspires to.