Following the death of her father, a young girl visits her estranged family at their sinister castle in the countryside, and comes to realize her eccentric and morbid relatives are not quite... Read allFollowing the death of her father, a young girl visits her estranged family at their sinister castle in the countryside, and comes to realize her eccentric and morbid relatives are not quite alive.Following the death of her father, a young girl visits her estranged family at their sinister castle in the countryside, and comes to realize her eccentric and morbid relatives are not quite alive.
- Directors
- Writers
- Stars
- Christina
- (as Cristine von Blanc)
- Carmencé - Abigail and Howard's Daughter
- (as Britt Nickols)
- Basilio - Mute Servant
- (as Jesus Manera)
- Princess of Eroticism
- (uncredited)
- Garden Orgy (added scene)
- (uncredited)
- Notary
- (uncredited)
- Female Doctor
- (uncredited)
- Linda - Blind Girl
- (uncredited)
- Herminia
- (uncredited)
- Garden Orgy (added scene)
- (uncredited)
- Garden Orgy (added scene)
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
I forget who it was - maybe Truffaut, Maybe Godard - who said that the best way to criticise a movie is to make another movie. "Virgin" functions like a critique of Franco's more famous "Vampyros Lesbos". That one too had a more than average dollop of eroticism and dreaminess. However, in that movie, the eroticism failed to do anything, and the dreamlike nature of the story seemed employed to mask the fact that the script didn't make any sense.
I hazard a guess that the huge, overwhelming majority of movies given the "dreamlike" tag are such pictures. "Dreamlike" is just a polite way of saying "nonsensical". "Virgin Among the Living Dead" is a rare example of a movie that achieves its dreamlike atmosphere, and its eroticism. In so doing it is like a living rebuke to "Vampyros Lesbos". The only thing that movie had over this was the presence of Soledad Miranda. The main actress in "Virgin" is beautiful but doesn't have the hypnotic quality Miranda effortlessly possessed.
The plot is sparse and rather typical of Eurohorror. A young girl comes to stay with her estranged family in a small rural community after the suicide of her family. Yes, she spends the night in a hotel first, where she mentions where she is going and gets a predictable reaction - it really seems like practically all Eurohorror movies begin this way. However, in this case the effect is different as the hotel isn't crowded with people who shut up as soon as she mentions where she is headed - rather, the hotel is empty save for the hostess. This subtle difference foreshadows Franco's off-kilter approach to his familiar material.
Any fans of Eurohorror know that the gods of the genre - Fulci, Argento, Franco, even Joe D'amato - had a hidden reserve of talent they used to breathtaking effect early in their careers, before moving on to bargain basement slop for the lion's share of their working lives. "A Virgin Among the Living Dead" is like a call back to the early days of the '60s, where Franco was a promising director, even in the minds of mainstream critics. It is extremely well shot, and subtly effective - absent is the violence the director would become known for.
It is a must see for Franco, and Eurohorror, fans.
There is another version which circulated with hardcore black mass footage featuring Franco regular Alice Arno and a host of stunt doubles for Vernon, Nichols and von Blanc.
The only video release of the original film at present is on Redemption, featuring a couple of nude mass scenes, some lesbian vampire sucking, a bizarre scene where Christina knocks over a giant phallus and an effectively hypnotic score from Bruno Nicolai. The UK version is missing the rather graphic rape scene present in the Benelux versions.
Christina von Blanc never unfortunately appeared in any other Franco films in fact only appeared in a couple of others including the giallo `L'Etrusco uccide ancora'. The delightful pairing of Britt Nichols and Anne Libert occurs again in his bizarre `Erotic Rites of Frankenstein' and `Les Demons', amongst other films of the period. If you are interested in Franco, this is one of his best of the period, very atmospheric and deserves to be seen in its original version.
This is a work of atmosphere and subtle eroticism. Although it is not a zombie film, death -- and those who wear its cloak -- is its central theme.
Christina von Blanc, an achingly beautiful creature, plays Englishwoman "Christine" who journeys to the rambling estate of her late father (Franco regular Paul Muller) for the reading of his will. Her stay is a nightmarish one as she is harassed by several socially challenged relatives (Howard Vernon being one), a muttering Igor (Franco himself) and local miscreants.
Not as technically accomplished as Franco work such as THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF or even DR. ORLOFF'S MONSTER, this piece is, nevertheless, dream-like and filled with mood and unease. Bruno Nocolai's score is quietly evocative and Jose Climent's photography is low rent but brimming with inspiration. The rural locations are gorgeous, too.
Typically, the dramatic revelations are hackneyed and not everything makes much sense, but that is Franco's way, and if you can't accept that, steer clear of his fascinating, uneven oeuvre.
Ms. von Blanc makes every one of her screen moments sparkle and comes closest to possessing the magical aura of the late, great Soledad Miranda, Franco's most exquisite leading lady and muse.
To clear things up, zombies were not part of the original film (titled "Christine, Princess of Eroticism"). The zombie footage was taken mostly - if not entirely - from "Zombie Lake" (1980), which means they were spliced in well after "Virgin" was released (1971). Anyway, "Virgin" is about a girl named Christine, who journeys to her uncle's chateau for the reading of his will. What she finds is both revolting (to the squeamish) and humorous. Jess Franco does his job of playing the disheveled freak rather well. He just looks like a sleazebag. He also does an adequate directing job. The movie is very stylish as is typical with Franco's work, but also rather visually stunning, with the shots of the lush forest surrounding the chateau. There is even some strong atmosphere, particularly when, in one scene, Christine's uncle is drawn back into the shadows after speaking to her.
The film culminates in a sexual ritual that is severely--not to mention ridiculously, at least with the "Zombie 4" version--edited on any of the American prints. In fact, many of the scenes that help make the film more cohesive are also excised from American prints. The (as close as possible to) uncut version is really good if given a chance. Though not necessary, outside. . .influences can only help the viewer (and no doubt were used during the making of this trash classic). "Virgin" + melatonin + dank fun dreamy state.
Unfortunately, as so many others have mentioned, you won't see Christine nude unless you can find a completely unedited tape. She sure is hot! Shame she was only in three films (at least according to the IMDb). So that's it. I like it, but most don't. It's worth seeing just because it's better than any given American slasher flick.
Did you know
- TriviaContrary to what some sources claim, this was not filmed in 1971. Filming occurred in June of 1973. Lead girl, Christina von Blanc had not yet even begun acting in 1971, and several automobiles have also been identified as 1972 and 1973 model year cars. Footage shot eight years later, for Zombie Lake (1981), was edited into this film for subsequent releases, and it was hyperbolically claimed this was filmed " almost ten years earlier ", which has led to the inaccuracy.
- GoofsJust past the nine-minute mark, when Christina stands next to the guy playing piano, she casts a shadow on the right side of his face, which appears and disappears in each shot.
- Quotes
Blind Girl: What did you do that for? Poor soul! You shattered the big ebony phallus! Poor soul! Misery is now your lot!
Christina Benton: Misery? I'll be miserable?
Blind Girl: Poor soul! Beyond words! You must get away from here. You'll fry in your own hell, believe me. Ask me no questions, just get away from here.
- Alternate versionsVideo Search of Miami offers composite version with scenes from Spanish, Italian and 2 French video releases. 37 minutes of sex and gore cut from US video release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Black Candles (1982)
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Christina chez les morts vivants
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1