Like another reviewer here, I was simply blown away by this indescribably macabre film, and I consider it to be possibly, Jess Franco's masterpiece. Normally it is style over substance when it comes to Franco's work; not so here. The story was gripping and utterly mesmerizing from the first minute, up until the last beautiful frame. In what must be the strangest, most disturbing father/daughter relationship ever filmed, we have the beautiful Soledad Miranda, who discovers her father is living a horrifying secret life. Rather than being repelled, Eugenie is fascinated, and excited, much to her father's delight. The two of them become a team, both in and out of bed, as they embark together on a shocking sex crime spree! The film's minuscule budget actually is responsible for the starkly gorgeous look of the production; reds and dark greens are the primary colors, with indoor shots being of well-appointed homes with red satin curtains and red carpets. Franco wisely decided to film the whole thing in Berlin and Paris, in the dead of Winter, and the snow covered outdoors look haunting and ethereal. And it is the perfect setting for the pale, porcelain beauty of actress Soledad Miranda. The subject matter is so creepy and disturbing that it actually made me a bit uncomfortable even watching, but it really is impossible to turn away. "Eugenie" possesses a genuine feeling of evil, unlike anything that other horror films have achieved. And even with all the morbid goings on, I was moved and saddened by the tragic end, and the demise of a musician whose only mistake was having some bad luck. Jess Franco even cast himself in this, in a pivotal role, and he is wonderful to watch as well; what an unique and fascinating guy! Anyway for fans of Jess Franco, who have not seen this lesser-known title, i recommend it highly! and for fans of films about sexual deviance, such as "Peeping Tom" or "The Night Porter" this cannot be missed. I will even go as far as to say that "Eugenie" is in the same league as Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now."
Review of Eugenie de Sade
