Although clearly marketed as a sex flick, TOWER OF SCREAMING VIRGINS is a surprisingly well-made European potboiler, jointly made between three countries: West Germany, France, and Italy. However, the film's description and title are a far cry from what the film actually contains: there is indeed a tower in the film, but the women in it are clearly not virgins, seeing as they have different men delivered to their doors every single night. There's not a great deal of screaming in the film, either. Still, despite the misnomer, TOWER OF SCREAMING VIRGINS is a fast-paced little flick that's only spoiled by an overly twisty plot that'll have you scratching your head before long.
The story – supposedly based on a play by Alexandre Dumas – is about an evil French Queen who's running riot whilst the King's away. She has young men delivered to her tower, where she has sex with them, then kills them and dumps their bodies in the river. Into this story comes a war hero who decides to investigate the mysterious murders, and comes face to face with court intrigue. Then there's a complicated back story and incestuous twist in the tale which'll have your jaw agape (yes, I know this was the 'swinging' '60s, but even so ). The best thing is to not even attempt to try and understand what's going on – just enjoy the plot.
Jean Piat is the athletic hero and he carries the role with some aplomb and charisma – he reminded me of a dark Lex Barker. He's supported by a great cast of nubile young women, most of whom are happy to strip for the screen, so expect to see breasts and bums aplenty in this movie. Then there are the action sequences, which are superbly staged, although too few for my liking. Things climax early on with a highlight involving a bar-room brawl, in which our heroes fends off his attackers with a burning cloth! Costumes and sets are spot on and the tower itself (a miniature, like Hammer's Castle Dracula) looks great. The script isn't too shoddy and although the head-scratching plot is a turn-off, this film packs three stories into one, and never becomes boring. Instead it just piles on twist after twist, surprise after surprise, before finishing on a fiery high. Lovers of historical adventures will be in their element with this raucous offering which never lets up.
The story – supposedly based on a play by Alexandre Dumas – is about an evil French Queen who's running riot whilst the King's away. She has young men delivered to her tower, where she has sex with them, then kills them and dumps their bodies in the river. Into this story comes a war hero who decides to investigate the mysterious murders, and comes face to face with court intrigue. Then there's a complicated back story and incestuous twist in the tale which'll have your jaw agape (yes, I know this was the 'swinging' '60s, but even so ). The best thing is to not even attempt to try and understand what's going on – just enjoy the plot.
Jean Piat is the athletic hero and he carries the role with some aplomb and charisma – he reminded me of a dark Lex Barker. He's supported by a great cast of nubile young women, most of whom are happy to strip for the screen, so expect to see breasts and bums aplenty in this movie. Then there are the action sequences, which are superbly staged, although too few for my liking. Things climax early on with a highlight involving a bar-room brawl, in which our heroes fends off his attackers with a burning cloth! Costumes and sets are spot on and the tower itself (a miniature, like Hammer's Castle Dracula) looks great. The script isn't too shoddy and although the head-scratching plot is a turn-off, this film packs three stories into one, and never becomes boring. Instead it just piles on twist after twist, surprise after surprise, before finishing on a fiery high. Lovers of historical adventures will be in their element with this raucous offering which never lets up.