O Convento das Taras Proibidas

(1979) Images In A Convent/ Immagini di un convento (In Italian with English Subtitles) ADULT DRAMA

Adapted from the novel "La religieuse" by Denis Diderot, cinematography, co-written and directed by Joe D'Amato that has countess of Lignate, Isabela (Paola Senatore) brought to the monastery of nuns so that she can be converted. In charge of converting her is Mother superior, Sister Angela (Nana Aslanoglu). And it is not long before Isabela infects other nuns with perverted thoughts beginning with Sister Licinia (Marina Ambrosini) after she hears Isabella chanting out her uncle's name while lying on her bed, touching herself. She would barge in before she makes out with her. And when Sister Marta (Marina Hadman Bellis) notices this, and Licinia pleads her to punish her. She does this by whipping her while she is fully named other than the stockings and the head gear she has on before she too seduces her.

All of this is just an excuse to showcase many of the big breasted women to put in some compromising positions to which none of them are really that old- full frontal and back and front. I must admit there were times I was a little aroused to see that many beautiful women. All they had to do was remove the devil statue to another location and then problem solved. Like, what is a devil statue doing in a convent of nuns in the first place.

Set within the cloistered confines of a convent, the film explores themes of forbidden desire, sin, and the supernatural. The nuns, portrayed by an ensemble cast, find themselves entangled in a web of lust and eerie occurrences that challenge their faith and morality. D'Amato's direction creates an atmosphere thick with tension and sensuality, making the convent setting both a place of repression and hidden passions.

The cinematography is one of the film's stronger points. The use of lighting and shadow plays a crucial role in establishing the mood, with candlelit scenes and dark corridors enhancing the sense of mystery and intrigue. The soundtrack, a mix of haunting melodies and period-appropriate music, further immerses the audience in the film's unique atmosphere.

However, Immagini di un convento is not without its shortcomings. The plot often feels secondary to the film's erotic elements, resulting in a narrative that lacks depth and coherence. The characters, while intriguing in their initial setup, are not fully developed, leaving their motivations and transformations somewhat superficial. The balance between the thriller and erotic aspects is uneven, with the latter sometimes overshadowing the former to the detriment of the story.

The performances are a mixed bag as well. Some actors deliver compelling portrayals that draw the viewer in, while others appear wooden and detached, detracting from the overall impact of the film. Additionally, certain scenes intended to shock or titillate may come across as gratuitous or exploitative, which could alienate some viewers.

In conclusion, Immagini di un convento is an atmospheric and visually striking film that struggles to maintain a consistent and engaging narrative. Its blend of eroticism and thriller elements offers moments of intrigue and intensity but ultimately fails to coalesce into a satisfying whole. Fans of Joe D'Amato's work and those interested in 1970s erotic cinema may find it worth a watch, but it may not appeal to a broader audience seeking a more balanced and coherent thriller.

Images in a Convent (1979)

*** (out of 4)

Joe D'Amato's notorious nunploitation film is considered by many to be the most disgusting and brutal. At a local convent nuns find themselves possessed by Satan, which soon gives them the temptation of sex. As is to be expected, this film certainly delivers in the nudity/sex department, although it never gets too hardcore and the reputation is a tad bit misleading because this is actually a fairly well made film. D'Amato, who also served as the DP, makes the budget look a lot higher than it actually is and the story is entertaining, or at least the sexual nuns are. Not nearly as trashy as some of its ilk.

This is a well shot, good looking erotic outing from Mr D'Amato making full use of his convent setting and realistic looking nun costumerie. There is a good old mix here of sex action, mainly but not exclusively girl on girl. Pretty explicit and suddenly, surprisingly hardcore for, of all things, the double rape in the woods. A story of sorts but this is really much as you would expect from nunsploitation but with just a bit more style and variation than usual. Slows just a tiny bit when the wizened little 'man of God' turns up to exorcise the place but we are soon storming to a super finale as the poor man walks the corridors splashing his holy water whilst the girls are inside their rooms making their own little splashes. In fact so carried away do they get that they are soon chasing after the little chap in various stages of undress eager to get him stripped off, God or no God!

During the 70's sleazy cycle numerous short lived sub-genres popped up to turn heads and enrage moralists every where. None were quite as offensive as nunsploitation and no nunsploitation was as trashy as this.

At a convent in Italy, a man arrives and the nuns begin feeling urges against their calling. It soon becomes clear that the devil has come and the nuns are under his control.

Though the plot suggests some exorcist-style horror, the film plays out much more like a quiet drama. A drama that includes oodles of explicit sexual activity. As the nuns fall into depravity the sexual stakes begin to rise. Of the assorted sored acts, viewers get to see some whippings, rape, oral sex, masturbation, hetero and homo couplings.

For a D'amato flick, it's surprisingly well made. Camera angles, lighting, pacing are all fairly good. Even the scripting and acting are better than the norm. So well is it made that I find myself wishing that all D'amato flicks looked this quality.

On a side note, it's interesting that with the exception of a short fellatio bit the hetero scenes are strictly soft-core while the lesbian scenes are fully explicit.

A well constructed piece of erotica, if one can get past the sacrilegious content.

7/10