Director Rollin once again plays out his obsessions in this tale of a secret society of women who lure men to their castle for blood ceremonies at midnight. Beautiful French countrysides, gorgeous (frequently nude) women, old castles and erotic horror are what to expect from this exploitation film with aspirations of art. The pace is slow and deliberate with no real escalation of tension as midnight comes and all is revealed. Brigitte Lahaie has real screen presence and is memorable as she stalks a victim carrying a huge scythe. Definitely worth a look as are all of Rollin's films.
45 Reviews
Sugar
Tweetienator19 April 2022
Some very beautiful (sometimes even naked) blood thirsty vampire ladies, the main setting a fine old Château, a gang of robbers, some blood spilled, and last but not least, Jean Rollin's fine cinematic style, voilà we get another delicious entry to oeuvre of a true master of fantasy and planet Venus. Fascination: for the fan base, without doubt eye-candy deluxe and always worth the trip.
FASCINATION (Jean Rollin, 1979) **1/2
Bunuel197626 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is the seventh Rollin film I've watched, after THE IRON ROSE (1973; still his finest work), THE DEMONIACS (1974; the least among his vintage efforts), LIPS OF BLOOD (1975; another good one), THE GRAPES OF DEATH (1978; not bad), THE LIVING DEAD GIRL (1982; one of his most compelling) and Fiancée' OF Dracula (2002; an unsatisfactory hodgepodge of ideas). This unusual 'lesbian vampires' film - of which the director made quite a few, though the only other such title I'm familiar with is the above-mentioned (and slightly superior) LIPS OF BLOOD - evokes much of the same atmosphere, not only of Rollin's work but of that of Jess Franco as well. In fact, the scenes depicting a scantily-clad Brigitte Lahaie walking the castle grounds (albeit armed with a scythe!) in search of victims brings to mind Lina Romay in the Spaniard's own (rather dismal) FEMALE VAMPIRE (1973)!
One of Rollin's traits seems to be that of throwing modern-day characters (in this case a handsome but dumb crook) into essentially Gothic i.e. Uncanny surroundings (the annual reunion at the château by a bunch of lovely ladies). The thief believes their mysterious activities to be of a sexual nature and decides to stick around, despite being warned by the two girls who came to the venue beforehand in preparation for the 'ceremony' that the only other male likely to appear is none other than Satan himself! Having the jaded aristocracy of another era indulge in odd rites (such as drinking ox's blood to treat anaemia!) is an intriguing notion - a group of depraved female members, then, decide to take the cure one step further and periodically resort to the intake of human blood (the revelation isn't all that surprising, but nicely handled just the same).
An 'unexpected' development results when it's time to do in with the young man (his criminal associates, who were actually pursuing him after he ran away with the stash of gold, had already been swiftly dealt with by Lahaie's scythe). Though the latter had already been sexually involved with him, her companion believes she has fallen in love and, when the leader of the 'vampires' dispatches Lahaie to eliminate the thief, the other girl shoots her instead! Lahaie stumbles outside to the passageway and, with the spilling of the girl's own blood drawing her 'anaemic' cohorts, they feast on her indiscriminately! The thief pleads with his savior to flee the cursed place together - but, on relating to him their back-story, she realizes that the 'call of blood' is too strong for her to ignore
Inevitably, the film has all the trademarks of Rollin's style (and, by extension, the whole "Euro-Cult" vibe): lethargic pace, an effective score and - it goes without saying - plenty of naked women (even if, save for Lahaie's unmistakable looks, most prove interchangeable due to the film's essential dearth of characterization!). All of this ensures a haunting and often beautiful piece of work though, not necessarily, a fulfilling {sic} one; by the way, the DivX copy I acquired (which also regrettably displayed brief instances of pixellation) bafflingly omitted any form of credits either at the start or the conclusion - not even the film's very title is anywhere to be seen.
One of Rollin's traits seems to be that of throwing modern-day characters (in this case a handsome but dumb crook) into essentially Gothic i.e. Uncanny surroundings (the annual reunion at the château by a bunch of lovely ladies). The thief believes their mysterious activities to be of a sexual nature and decides to stick around, despite being warned by the two girls who came to the venue beforehand in preparation for the 'ceremony' that the only other male likely to appear is none other than Satan himself! Having the jaded aristocracy of another era indulge in odd rites (such as drinking ox's blood to treat anaemia!) is an intriguing notion - a group of depraved female members, then, decide to take the cure one step further and periodically resort to the intake of human blood (the revelation isn't all that surprising, but nicely handled just the same).
An 'unexpected' development results when it's time to do in with the young man (his criminal associates, who were actually pursuing him after he ran away with the stash of gold, had already been swiftly dealt with by Lahaie's scythe). Though the latter had already been sexually involved with him, her companion believes she has fallen in love and, when the leader of the 'vampires' dispatches Lahaie to eliminate the thief, the other girl shoots her instead! Lahaie stumbles outside to the passageway and, with the spilling of the girl's own blood drawing her 'anaemic' cohorts, they feast on her indiscriminately! The thief pleads with his savior to flee the cursed place together - but, on relating to him their back-story, she realizes that the 'call of blood' is too strong for her to ignore
Inevitably, the film has all the trademarks of Rollin's style (and, by extension, the whole "Euro-Cult" vibe): lethargic pace, an effective score and - it goes without saying - plenty of naked women (even if, save for Lahaie's unmistakable looks, most prove interchangeable due to the film's essential dearth of characterization!). All of this ensures a haunting and often beautiful piece of work though, not necessarily, a fulfilling {sic} one; by the way, the DivX copy I acquired (which also regrettably displayed brief instances of pixellation) bafflingly omitted any form of credits either at the start or the conclusion - not even the film's very title is anywhere to be seen.
Stylish, erotic and... fascinating!
Infofreak24 February 2002
'Fascination' is a very apt title for this spellbinding movie! A typically dreamlike and stylish work from the remarkable Jean Rollin. Yup, it's another lesbian vampire movie (from a decade that produced quite a few!) but Rollin, like Jess Franco, puts his own original touches to it which make it truly unforgettable. Like most of Franco's (and Dario Argento's) output, atmosphere and aesthetics are more important than plot, and the performances of the actors involved are variable. Rollin doesn't seem to be too concerned with creating believable characters, he uses his (beautiful) actresses as striking images moving across a background. His movies are often closer to paintings than your standard Hammer horror. That's why 'Fascination' is so unlike most vampire movies you'll ever see. Inspired and original. Don't miss this one!
(Be)eat it
kosmasp23 August 2020
A strange love triangle, where you can't quite figure out who's madder. Or more "evil" even. I reckon you may come to one conclusion or the other. You may also be able to see where this is going (not tough to see and no extra points if you do), because it is quite predictable. The main blonde woman/character is quite pretty if I may say so. And whatever that means to you, she is going to undress for this movie (so hopefully you're not easily offended).
Jean Rollins does have a reputation to uphold I reckon. One of them being giving us two female friends. You could conclude some things about his preferences and other things in his life. But he's just having fun. Whether that is something that is fun for you too, is up to you to decide. The end may seem inevitable and yet it's still shocking when it finally comes around .... deservedly or not, it is what it is
Jean Rollins does have a reputation to uphold I reckon. One of them being giving us two female friends. You could conclude some things about his preferences and other things in his life. But he's just having fun. Whether that is something that is fun for you too, is up to you to decide. The end may seem inevitable and yet it's still shocking when it finally comes around .... deservedly or not, it is what it is
Strange Erotic Horror From Jean Rollin
Witchfinder-General-66623 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I cannot (yet) claim to be an expert on Jean Rollin's films, and, so far, neither can I claim to be a big fan of what I've seen. While "Fascination" of 1979 has its qualities, I do not quite understand the enthusiasm that of some of my fellow Eurohorror / cult-cinema fans seem to have about Rollin in general and this film in particular. One of Rollin's many erotic vampire films, "Fascination" certainly is a nice exercise in elegantly delirious style, and furthermore profits from an incredibly sexy female cast (above all cult-siren/pornstar Brigitte Lahaie), and yet it is undeniable that it is overall a confused and virtually plot-less film that has its lengths in spite of a running time of only 80 minutes.
Sometime in the early 20th century, the robber Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) seeks refuge in an eerie mansion in rural France. He meets two seductive beauties, Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth (Franca Mai), who are as fascinating and erotic as they are mysterious. Hiding out from his partners in crime, Marc is not yet aware of the secrets the mansion bears...
The film is stylish and elegant from start to finish and doubtlessly has some moments that are downright mesmerizing, but that does not quite make up for the fact that it is also quite senseless and has no inner logic whatsoever. Marc insists on staying in the mansion in the beginning, for example, but later on in the film, when the mansion is full of hot women dressed in nothing but see-through veils, he suddenly wants to leave. This doesn't make sense in my book. Most of the female cast members are stunningly beautiful, particularly the ravishing Brigitte Lahaie, Francesca Mai and the mysterious Fanny Magier. Though most of the female cast members walk around naked or scarcely dressed a lot, the film is not quite as focused on the erotic aspect as one might expect. The majority of lesbian / erotic vampire films from the 70s are actually quite a bit sleazier than this one. "Fascination" is wonderfully shot, the cinematography is beautiful and dream-like and the settings are elegant. The film is also enjoyably bizarre, and, as mentioned above, Brigitte Lahaie and her fellow female cast members are nice to look at. Sequences as the one in which Lahaie carries a scythe, wearing only a cape, are mesmerizing and beautiful. It is undeniable, however, that the film has hardly a plot and no suspense whatsoever. In regard of that, again, it is amazing that the film never really gets boring.
Overall "Fascination" is watchable for my fellow Eurohorror / Cult-cinema fans, though I cannot share some people's enthusiasm. Personally, as far as nonsensical European erotic horror goes, I will probably always prefer the Spanish Exploitation deity Jess Franco, of whom I'm a big fan, over Rollin.
Sometime in the early 20th century, the robber Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) seeks refuge in an eerie mansion in rural France. He meets two seductive beauties, Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth (Franca Mai), who are as fascinating and erotic as they are mysterious. Hiding out from his partners in crime, Marc is not yet aware of the secrets the mansion bears...
The film is stylish and elegant from start to finish and doubtlessly has some moments that are downright mesmerizing, but that does not quite make up for the fact that it is also quite senseless and has no inner logic whatsoever. Marc insists on staying in the mansion in the beginning, for example, but later on in the film, when the mansion is full of hot women dressed in nothing but see-through veils, he suddenly wants to leave. This doesn't make sense in my book. Most of the female cast members are stunningly beautiful, particularly the ravishing Brigitte Lahaie, Francesca Mai and the mysterious Fanny Magier. Though most of the female cast members walk around naked or scarcely dressed a lot, the film is not quite as focused on the erotic aspect as one might expect. The majority of lesbian / erotic vampire films from the 70s are actually quite a bit sleazier than this one. "Fascination" is wonderfully shot, the cinematography is beautiful and dream-like and the settings are elegant. The film is also enjoyably bizarre, and, as mentioned above, Brigitte Lahaie and her fellow female cast members are nice to look at. Sequences as the one in which Lahaie carries a scythe, wearing only a cape, are mesmerizing and beautiful. It is undeniable, however, that the film has hardly a plot and no suspense whatsoever. In regard of that, again, it is amazing that the film never really gets boring.
Overall "Fascination" is watchable for my fellow Eurohorror / Cult-cinema fans, though I cannot share some people's enthusiasm. Personally, as far as nonsensical European erotic horror goes, I will probably always prefer the Spanish Exploitation deity Jess Franco, of whom I'm a big fan, over Rollin.
My favorite Jean Rollin film up to now
Maciste_Brother8 December 2004
I've seen only a handful of Jean Rollin films and I have to say that this one is the best yet. Though still hampered with low budget set-up and stiff acting and stilted dialogue, FASCINATION remains watchable from beginning to end. The concept is excellent and the film never gets off track from its interesting story.
This idea is so good, the film should be remade with a suitable budget and a capable cast of real actors. The whole thing would be quite spectacular. The lesbian sex scene would probably be dropped, which would disappoint Rollin fans but I wouldn't mind seeing a classy version of this film if it meant a few changes from the original.
But in the meantime, make sure to check this film out. It's worth it if you like slightly odd and out-of-character bloody dramas.
This idea is so good, the film should be remade with a suitable budget and a capable cast of real actors. The whole thing would be quite spectacular. The lesbian sex scene would probably be dropped, which would disappoint Rollin fans but I wouldn't mind seeing a classy version of this film if it meant a few changes from the original.
But in the meantime, make sure to check this film out. It's worth it if you like slightly odd and out-of-character bloody dramas.
Not for all tastes, including mine unfortunately...
poolandrews18 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Fascination is set in the year 1905 & starts (properly) when thief Mark (Jean-Marie Lemaire) double crosses a gang of crooks & runs off with a bag full of gold & the crooks in hot pursuit. Mark happens upon a large Château surrounded by water with only one bridge offering access, Mark feels this would make a perfect hiding place until the cover of night. Inside he finds two young attractive women, Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) & Elisabeth (Franca Mai) who just happen to be lesbians. Mark holds them hostage at gunpoint & has sex with one of them. Eva & Elisabeth try to convince Mark to stay for a mysterious reunion that they are having that very night, Mark sticks around, out of curiosity apparently, until the first guest arrives Helene (Fanny Magier). As four more female guests arrive it fast approaches midnight which seems to hold some significance that when Mark discovers what it is he wish he hadn't...
This French production was written & directed by Jean Rollin & it didn't do much for me. While I respect other people's opinions that Rollin's films are artistic, dream like & visually stunning I don't think that about Fascination at all. Don't get me wrong there are some very nice shots & imagery in Fascination, Eva wandering around with a long robe & scythe being a particularly memorable scene, the pigeon loft scene is visually unusual & the Gothic Château setting is impressive & adds a great deal to the film, but overall I just felt it was cheaply filmed with Rollin lingering on shots & keeping his camera rolling for far too long, as a consequence at times this slows Fascination down to a virtual stand still. The one area that I do agree with the general opinion is that Rollin isn't particularly interested in story telling or a coherent plot which is a shame because if he put some of the effort that he puts in his visuals into a decent entertaining film than he'd have a winner on his hands. There is virtually no dialogue in Fascination & the plot is basic & somewhat predictable. One more thing I must state at this point is that there are no traditional Vampires in Fascination at all, no fangs, no stakes through the heart & no sleeping in coffins. There is some brief blood drinking but it's not for any sort of supernatural reasoning. I also found Fascination's exploitation elements lacking, maybe I was expecting too much but there is virtually no blood or gore & the sex & nudity seemed very tame, there is one lesbian scene & two sex scenes & that's your lot. Having said that these French women are very pretty & easy on the eyes. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something here but I just didn't find anything here to gain any sort of enjoyment from apart from some nice looking locations & a bit of nudity. Finally Fascination commits the fatal mistake of being boring & slow & at just under 80 minutes that's not a good thing to think, I can forgive almost anything as long as a film entertains me & Fascination simply didn't. I just can't imagine any regular modern cinema goer getting much from this arty mess.
This French production was written & directed by Jean Rollin & it didn't do much for me. While I respect other people's opinions that Rollin's films are artistic, dream like & visually stunning I don't think that about Fascination at all. Don't get me wrong there are some very nice shots & imagery in Fascination, Eva wandering around with a long robe & scythe being a particularly memorable scene, the pigeon loft scene is visually unusual & the Gothic Château setting is impressive & adds a great deal to the film, but overall I just felt it was cheaply filmed with Rollin lingering on shots & keeping his camera rolling for far too long, as a consequence at times this slows Fascination down to a virtual stand still. The one area that I do agree with the general opinion is that Rollin isn't particularly interested in story telling or a coherent plot which is a shame because if he put some of the effort that he puts in his visuals into a decent entertaining film than he'd have a winner on his hands. There is virtually no dialogue in Fascination & the plot is basic & somewhat predictable. One more thing I must state at this point is that there are no traditional Vampires in Fascination at all, no fangs, no stakes through the heart & no sleeping in coffins. There is some brief blood drinking but it's not for any sort of supernatural reasoning. I also found Fascination's exploitation elements lacking, maybe I was expecting too much but there is virtually no blood or gore & the sex & nudity seemed very tame, there is one lesbian scene & two sex scenes & that's your lot. Having said that these French women are very pretty & easy on the eyes. I don't know, maybe I'm missing something here but I just didn't find anything here to gain any sort of enjoyment from apart from some nice looking locations & a bit of nudity. Finally Fascination commits the fatal mistake of being boring & slow & at just under 80 minutes that's not a good thing to think, I can forgive almost anything as long as a film entertains me & Fascination simply didn't. I just can't imagine any regular modern cinema goer getting much from this arty mess.
Excellent film with unusual imagery and a sense of mystery.
ldk-227 July 1999
I'm an admirer of Jean Rollins work, and this film is the one which to me best represents his style. It succeeds in blending the sexual predator images of the more successful Hammer vampire movies, with the doomed romanticism of French cinema. The production values are low, presumably they operated on a very small budget, but as I was starting to experiment with my own super8 films, I was inspired by how much it achieves in spite of its limitations. The film is driven by a series of powerful images, notably the semi-naked girl wielding a scythe, and the odd bit of lesbian love action. As with all of Rollins best films, you get the feeling of getting a glimpse of, and being allowed to share, a very personal obsession.
Mysterious mansion and strange women
SkullScreamerReturns17 February 2022
Fascination might be one of the better Jean Rollin films. It has a lot of stylish shots and also the plot is somewhat interesting. It has some similarity to José Ramón Larraz' 1974 film "Vampyres" though this is not as as typically vampire film.
I thought the acting was surprisingly good. The two leading female characters and the guy who arrives at the mansion had some nice chemistry both sides trying to be in control of the situation.
My favorite Rollin films are still "Lips of Blood" and perhaps "Requiem for a Vampire" but I recommend this one too if you are interested.
I thought the acting was surprisingly good. The two leading female characters and the guy who arrives at the mansion had some nice chemistry both sides trying to be in control of the situation.
My favorite Rollin films are still "Lips of Blood" and perhaps "Requiem for a Vampire" but I recommend this one too if you are interested.
Amateurish, artless, meandering, mostly boring.
capkronos28 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
When people throw out the word "dream-like" to describe a film, I immediately think it will possess three distinct qualities: 1. soft focus or hazy photography, 2. little to no plot or a plot that doesn't make sense, and finally, 3. shots that linger for an eternity to make up for the fact there's little to no plot. After all, *something* needs to fill the time, right? I can't say I'm usually a big fan of these kinds of films unless they're done by very talented directors who are able to use photography, lighting, music, art direction and shot composition to enhance and strengthen the plot. This is also commonly referred to "Making a proper movie." One can actually have it both ways and find that perfect balance. One can be both an artist and a storyteller, which is really what the art of filmmaking is all about. This film I don't think ever finds that balance. In fact, it doesn't really excel at anything. There's next to no plot and, despite this director's reputation as a visual stylist, the material is mostly presented in a surprisingly flat and uninspired fashion. Sure, there are a few nice shots in this 80-minute movie, but not nearly enough to justify sitting through the rest of it.
Arrogant thief Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) double-crosses a few people, takes the lone female as a hostage and runs off with a bag full of gold coins. The hostage flashes her breasts, kicks him in the crotch and manages to escape. Marc takes off again and finds a secluded mansion that's surrounded by water and accessible only by bridge and sneaks inside. Those he's betrayed see him going in, but decide to lay low for awhile with plans on ambushing him later on that evening when he's not expecting it. Inside, Marc encounters two young women; Elisabeth (Franca Mai) and Eva (Brigitte Lahaie)... and they're odd to put it mildly. For starters, their story keeps changing as to why they're even there. They should be terrified in the presence of an armed thief, but instead act like giggly schoolgirls who joke about letting him rape them and then turn the tables by claiming they want to rape him.
Elisabeth and Eva are lovers and the director is kind enough to prove it by shoehorning in a sex scene at an awkward time as if quickly trying to fill some requirement. Eva takes off her clothes and seduces the thief. Elisabeth gets jealous because she's in love with Eva but then claims she's in love with Marc and pleads for him to leave before nightfall. While that's going on, Eva goes outside to meet up with the four people Marc ripped off. She stabs one of the guys during sex with an (obviously retractable) dagger and then takes a scythe to the other three in scenes that have absolutely no impact whatsoever because they're so poorly staged and edited. Night finally falls and another weird woman named Hélène (Fanny Magier) swings by with four other girls talking about some "reunion" and Satan. The ladies reveal themselves to be part of a bourgeois lez cult who drink human blood to keep themselves from becoming anemic (?) because they're sick of drinking ox blood (?!) The women then put on sheer nightgowns and walk around, a couple of people get shot and then the film is over.
This isn't art, as real art actually means something. This film means nothing, stands for nothing and ultimately accomplishes nothing. It's really just lazy pseudo eroticism shot at a cool-looking house and with a few attractive actresses in it and that's all. It helps that one of those actresses is Lahaie, who's worth a look even in something as dull as this. She also has the lion's share of the nude scenes, but even gazing upon her fine form from time to time isn't enough to overcome the lumbering pace, meandering non-story and awful dialogue. Apparently they didn't even use a shooting script for this one and just made it all up as they went along... You can tell!
Worst of all, this isn't the least bit impressive on a visual level. Your average Friday THE 13TH sequel features more artistry and skillful camera-work than this does. The photography isn't imaginative, the score is forgettable, the editing is terrible, the potentially atmospheric location goes completely to waste, every single "horror" moment is ineptly fumbled and the director seems to have no concept of scene continuity. There's a good reason people always focus on the striking image of a nude Lahaie, clad only in a black cape, holding onto a scythe. That's because it IS the only striking image in this film.
This is the fifth effort I've seen from Rollin now and it's one of his most popular and acclaimed works for some reason I can't quite fathom. I much preferred his zombie film THE GRAPES OF DEATH (1978) and the oddly compelling THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTED (1980) to this one.
Arrogant thief Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) double-crosses a few people, takes the lone female as a hostage and runs off with a bag full of gold coins. The hostage flashes her breasts, kicks him in the crotch and manages to escape. Marc takes off again and finds a secluded mansion that's surrounded by water and accessible only by bridge and sneaks inside. Those he's betrayed see him going in, but decide to lay low for awhile with plans on ambushing him later on that evening when he's not expecting it. Inside, Marc encounters two young women; Elisabeth (Franca Mai) and Eva (Brigitte Lahaie)... and they're odd to put it mildly. For starters, their story keeps changing as to why they're even there. They should be terrified in the presence of an armed thief, but instead act like giggly schoolgirls who joke about letting him rape them and then turn the tables by claiming they want to rape him.
Elisabeth and Eva are lovers and the director is kind enough to prove it by shoehorning in a sex scene at an awkward time as if quickly trying to fill some requirement. Eva takes off her clothes and seduces the thief. Elisabeth gets jealous because she's in love with Eva but then claims she's in love with Marc and pleads for him to leave before nightfall. While that's going on, Eva goes outside to meet up with the four people Marc ripped off. She stabs one of the guys during sex with an (obviously retractable) dagger and then takes a scythe to the other three in scenes that have absolutely no impact whatsoever because they're so poorly staged and edited. Night finally falls and another weird woman named Hélène (Fanny Magier) swings by with four other girls talking about some "reunion" and Satan. The ladies reveal themselves to be part of a bourgeois lez cult who drink human blood to keep themselves from becoming anemic (?) because they're sick of drinking ox blood (?!) The women then put on sheer nightgowns and walk around, a couple of people get shot and then the film is over.
This isn't art, as real art actually means something. This film means nothing, stands for nothing and ultimately accomplishes nothing. It's really just lazy pseudo eroticism shot at a cool-looking house and with a few attractive actresses in it and that's all. It helps that one of those actresses is Lahaie, who's worth a look even in something as dull as this. She also has the lion's share of the nude scenes, but even gazing upon her fine form from time to time isn't enough to overcome the lumbering pace, meandering non-story and awful dialogue. Apparently they didn't even use a shooting script for this one and just made it all up as they went along... You can tell!
Worst of all, this isn't the least bit impressive on a visual level. Your average Friday THE 13TH sequel features more artistry and skillful camera-work than this does. The photography isn't imaginative, the score is forgettable, the editing is terrible, the potentially atmospheric location goes completely to waste, every single "horror" moment is ineptly fumbled and the director seems to have no concept of scene continuity. There's a good reason people always focus on the striking image of a nude Lahaie, clad only in a black cape, holding onto a scythe. That's because it IS the only striking image in this film.
This is the fifth effort I've seen from Rollin now and it's one of his most popular and acclaimed works for some reason I can't quite fathom. I much preferred his zombie film THE GRAPES OF DEATH (1978) and the oddly compelling THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTED (1980) to this one.
Rollin's best
deheor27 July 2005
A thief who is fleeing the partners that he double-crossed comes across a mansion with only two beautiful (and odd) occupants. His plan to stay until nightfall seems to be easily achievable when he finds out the home owners have no desire for him to leave.
From this simple premise Rollin creates his most engrossing work with the thief coming to realize that his greatest threat may not be the crooks outside the house but the ladies within. Though slow moving this film ratchets up the tension as midnight approaches and a mysterious ceremony is soon to begin.
Strong performances abound with special mention to frequent Rollin star Brigitte Lahaie who has never looked (or acted) better. The women in this film are all incredible and like in all of his films, Rollin shows a photographer's eye for beauty. Once again Rollin indulges in his fondness for lesbian sex scenes but they don't overpower the film like they do in some of his other works.
For anyone who has not yet seen a Rollin film, either this one or 'Grapes of death' would make excellent starters although, obviously, keep the kids away.
From this simple premise Rollin creates his most engrossing work with the thief coming to realize that his greatest threat may not be the crooks outside the house but the ladies within. Though slow moving this film ratchets up the tension as midnight approaches and a mysterious ceremony is soon to begin.
Strong performances abound with special mention to frequent Rollin star Brigitte Lahaie who has never looked (or acted) better. The women in this film are all incredible and like in all of his films, Rollin shows a photographer's eye for beauty. Once again Rollin indulges in his fondness for lesbian sex scenes but they don't overpower the film like they do in some of his other works.
For anyone who has not yet seen a Rollin film, either this one or 'Grapes of death' would make excellent starters although, obviously, keep the kids away.
Fascinating indeed! Even when you'll have no idea what's going on.
Boba_Fett113816 December 2011
Oh yes, I have said some bad things about Jean Rollin in the past but with this movie he shows he's also capable of creating an actual good movie! It's successful at what its trying to be- and achieve, unlike some of the other movies, I have seen done by him.
What the movie is, is basically some sort of weird sexual fantasy, set in a Victorian like environment and era. Appeartly the movie is supposed to be set at the early 20th century but to me the movie looked like it was taking place in the late 19th century instead. But what do I know, right!
And you could say it's an erotic movie but more one that becomes one through its sexual tension and atmosphere, that is constantly in the air, rather than with its actual nudity or sex scenes. As a matter of fact, there really isn't that much nudity and even less sex in this movie.
It's actually this constant atmosphere that makes this movie such an intriguing watch. It's a beautiful shot movie, that is slowly being told by French genre expert Jean Rollin. It's actually quite amazing this is an 1979 movie. The movie looks far more modern, technically speaking. It's images and atmosphere keep you interested throughout, even when you have no idea what is going on within its story.
It's really a bit of a hard movie to follow with its story, also because it seems that none of the characters are ever saying what they truly mean or want. It's a movie clouded in mystery, which however actually adds well to the overall atmosphere of the movie. It also makes the ending work work out, which came as a bit of a surprising one even.
Definitely a watchable movie within its genre.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
What the movie is, is basically some sort of weird sexual fantasy, set in a Victorian like environment and era. Appeartly the movie is supposed to be set at the early 20th century but to me the movie looked like it was taking place in the late 19th century instead. But what do I know, right!
And you could say it's an erotic movie but more one that becomes one through its sexual tension and atmosphere, that is constantly in the air, rather than with its actual nudity or sex scenes. As a matter of fact, there really isn't that much nudity and even less sex in this movie.
It's actually this constant atmosphere that makes this movie such an intriguing watch. It's a beautiful shot movie, that is slowly being told by French genre expert Jean Rollin. It's actually quite amazing this is an 1979 movie. The movie looks far more modern, technically speaking. It's images and atmosphere keep you interested throughout, even when you have no idea what is going on within its story.
It's really a bit of a hard movie to follow with its story, also because it seems that none of the characters are ever saying what they truly mean or want. It's a movie clouded in mystery, which however actually adds well to the overall atmosphere of the movie. It also makes the ending work work out, which came as a bit of a surprising one even.
Definitely a watchable movie within its genre.
7/10
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All Style
garyrogers-674848 July 2019
I've only seen a few Jean Rollin films and I've enjoyed them, so I was very excited to see Fascination. My hopes and dreams were crushed about 45 minutes in when I realized that this might not be the masterpiece I was hoping for. Like most Rollin films, it's interestingly (and sometimes beautifully) shot with a hazy dreamlike quality which is very much appreciated, but Fascination doesn't have much meat on its bones to sustain anything except, perhaps, a short film.
Fascination is needlessly drawn out with no character development whatsoever and it mostly just amounts to several lingering glances, women walking around topless (and bottomless), a few quick attacks, and a whole lot of tedium.
This isn't to say that Fascination isn't without its perks. Rollin does mood and atmosphere well, so if you just allow that to envelop you, maybe you'll get a few kicks out of it. Also, if you're a big fan of female nudity, I'd assume you'll have a field day with several scenes. If you're looking for interesting characters, a well developed story, or even a few shocks, you might want to look elsewhere.
Fascination is needlessly drawn out with no character development whatsoever and it mostly just amounts to several lingering glances, women walking around topless (and bottomless), a few quick attacks, and a whole lot of tedium.
This isn't to say that Fascination isn't without its perks. Rollin does mood and atmosphere well, so if you just allow that to envelop you, maybe you'll get a few kicks out of it. Also, if you're a big fan of female nudity, I'd assume you'll have a field day with several scenes. If you're looking for interesting characters, a well developed story, or even a few shocks, you might want to look elsewhere.
Sensual fascinations
chaos-rampant26 October 2011
Sooner or later anyone doing the rounds of horror is confronted with Rollin; the sensually paced, purely ephemeral wanderings around mansions or cemeteries, at least in his better films, pale naked skin dripping with blood, almost always. It is relatively easy to deal with them, with none of the hard anchors in story or characters one either concedes to dream with him or not.
So yes, largely nonsense in conventional terms, here about a man who is stranded in a secluded château with a host of beautiful women who are waiting for midnight to perform a mysterious ritual, but attached to a poetry of images.
The frequent comparison is to Jess Franco; but whereas Franco at his best intuited feverish images that always seemed to zoom at the verge of cacophony, Rollin exhibits painterly control over his. His gaze is methodical, attuned with the aural qualities of film; notice here for example how the winds howling outside the mansion stop and start every time someone opens a door.
It's simple really, the ritual a tone poem about the unveiling of naked beauty. The twist, if it can be called that, is that what we expect to be vampires imbued with some supernatural capacity are only women lusting for blood. The man - our surrogate viewer in the midst of beauty - is lusting himself and so concedes to be part of the dream.
So yes, largely nonsense in conventional terms, here about a man who is stranded in a secluded château with a host of beautiful women who are waiting for midnight to perform a mysterious ritual, but attached to a poetry of images.
The frequent comparison is to Jess Franco; but whereas Franco at his best intuited feverish images that always seemed to zoom at the verge of cacophony, Rollin exhibits painterly control over his. His gaze is methodical, attuned with the aural qualities of film; notice here for example how the winds howling outside the mansion stop and start every time someone opens a door.
It's simple really, the ritual a tone poem about the unveiling of naked beauty. The twist, if it can be called that, is that what we expect to be vampires imbued with some supernatural capacity are only women lusting for blood. The man - our surrogate viewer in the midst of beauty - is lusting himself and so concedes to be part of the dream.
typical Rollin fare, and satisfying at that
FieCrier12 March 2008
I watched the Redemption DVD, and there's at least a couple shots in the trailer, also included, that aren't in the movie. In the trailer, during the stable stabbing, there's a pan up her body from the knife. In the movie, it cuts from the knife to a close-up of her face from a different angle. Hmm.
Also, in the group vampiric scene, one of the women's filmy gowns blows up around her head in the trailer. In the movie, I'd swear this didn't happen. Possibly there's some alternate takes that were used for the trailer, or maybe the movie is cut.
Anyway, a well-dressed thief steals some gold rather than split it with his lower-class pals. He hides out in a small castle surrounded by a small moat, where two women play head games with him and flirt, and get down with him and each other. He's warned to get away before other guests come.
It's slow, but there's a fair amount of blood and boobs, and that's pretty much what one expects from a Jean Rollin film, in a sort of colorful fantasy world.
The title's a bit odd. All I can figure is that it refers to the man who's too interested in the women and their mystery to leave.
Also, in the group vampiric scene, one of the women's filmy gowns blows up around her head in the trailer. In the movie, I'd swear this didn't happen. Possibly there's some alternate takes that were used for the trailer, or maybe the movie is cut.
Anyway, a well-dressed thief steals some gold rather than split it with his lower-class pals. He hides out in a small castle surrounded by a small moat, where two women play head games with him and flirt, and get down with him and each other. He's warned to get away before other guests come.
It's slow, but there's a fair amount of blood and boobs, and that's pretty much what one expects from a Jean Rollin film, in a sort of colorful fantasy world.
The title's a bit odd. All I can figure is that it refers to the man who's too interested in the women and their mystery to leave.
low budget...low everything!
baz-153 August 1999
Ah come on. This film was tripe, I don't agree with my good friend LDK who lent it to me on video. This is the only Jean Rollin film I've seen. > The ideas may be good, but they don't make a film on their own. If you're a vampire fan and enjoy watching lesbian stuff you'll love this one. Otherwise ....
Jean Rollin, a Forgotten Master?
gavin694219 November 2012
This erotic horror film, set in 1905, tells the story of a thief who seeks refuge in a castle owned by two women, Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elizabeth (Franca Mai). The women are seductive and teasing, but turn out to be part of a vampiric cult of blood-drinking aristocrats.
Why would you drink the blood of an ox as a way to cure anemia? Why? I mean, maybe it would work... but there has to be a better way, even in 1905.
I must say, this film is a very interesting twist on the siege subgenre of horror (a subgenre John Carpenter loved to explore). The thief in a house with two lovely ladies while the villagers outside want him dead and may try to bust in to get him... good stuff.
The style is all Rollin, and the plot is surprisingly better than some of his other work, not just relying on pointless lesbian vampire sex scenes. This may be the best film he has ever made, at least of those I have seen.
Why would you drink the blood of an ox as a way to cure anemia? Why? I mean, maybe it would work... but there has to be a better way, even in 1905.
I must say, this film is a very interesting twist on the siege subgenre of horror (a subgenre John Carpenter loved to explore). The thief in a house with two lovely ladies while the villagers outside want him dead and may try to bust in to get him... good stuff.
The style is all Rollin, and the plot is surprisingly better than some of his other work, not just relying on pointless lesbian vampire sex scenes. This may be the best film he has ever made, at least of those I have seen.
Campy horror
billcr1229 January 2012
This looks like a Hammer horror film from the 1960s. The big difference is the nudity throughout including a lesbian scene. Eva(Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth(Franca Mai) are living in a castle on the water, complete with a mote and stone bridge providing beautiful background scenery.
A man escaping fellow thieves is on the run and winds up at the castle to hide. What follows is campy acting and cheap sounding music in the background. The two lesbian lovers are awaiting their special guests for a midnight rendezvous of some sort. This is a low budget, badly written, and silly effort by all involved. The only high praise I can give it is to Ms. Lahaie's body, which is quite spectacular and responsible for 3 of the 4 points here.
A man escaping fellow thieves is on the run and winds up at the castle to hide. What follows is campy acting and cheap sounding music in the background. The two lesbian lovers are awaiting their special guests for a midnight rendezvous of some sort. This is a low budget, badly written, and silly effort by all involved. The only high praise I can give it is to Ms. Lahaie's body, which is quite spectacular and responsible for 3 of the 4 points here.
Truly brilliant erotic horror.
HumanoidOfFlesh6 December 2005
A thief(Jean Marie Lemaire),on the run from fellow gang members,takes refuge in a château populated only by two young women—Eva (Brigitte Lahaie)and Elisabeth (Franka Mai).The man is seduced and lured to stay for a forthcoming soirée,while the young ladies-themselves indulging in lesbian encounters—turn out to be initiates in a cult of bourgeois women addicted to drinking human blood.Jean Rollin's "Fascination" is simply an awesome lesbian vampire flick.The pace is pretty slow,but there is plenty of sleaze and beauty to enjoy.The film is loaded with stunning visuals for example the image of a nude Brigitte Lahaie with nothing but her impossibly statuesque figure,cape and scythe moving down the bridge and over the moat to the castle or truly surreal scene of Eva and Elizabeth dancing on the bridge in matching white gowns while an old-style phonograph plays classical music.Overall,I deeply enjoyed this one and you should too,if you liked "The Living Dead Girl" or "Lips Of Blood".
An Eroticized Version of the Grim Reaper
LanceBrave11 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Highly regarded by hardcore Rollin fans, "Fascination" is a break from the arty vampire flicks he's best known for
Sort of. The director actually seems more interested in telling the story then nudity and pretty images. It's by far the most polished of his films I've seen.
Which isn't to say it doesn't feature his trademarks. In the late 1800s, a thief swipes some coins from his fellow thieves. Despite the female tempting him with her heaving bosoms, he continues into the forest with his loot, the others in pursuit. Eventually, he comes to an isolated lake-surrounded château, home to two mysterious women. The girls immediately manipulate the guy, doing everything they can to keep him there until midnight. The girls, lesbian lovers and master seducers, keep whispering about a mysterious ritual. What does this have to do with the opening scene of a woman drinking ox blood for her anemia?
It's a highly erotic film. I counted three sex scenes and there's far more nudity. The girl, locked in a room, enjoy each other's company, caressing one another's backs and suckling each other's breasts. A pretty hot scene, especially since Franca Mai and Brigitte Lahaie are gorgeous. Eva, the blonde, seduces the young man into another stimulating scene and, later on, she is forced into servicing one of the other thieves in a stable. Despite being more plot-focused, it's still fair to say the film crosses over into soft core porn.
The horror elements slowly work their way in. The most famous scene involves Lahaie, clothed only in a black robe, swinging a giant scythe, an eroticized version of the Grim Reaper. Murder shows up more then once, bloodily slashing through the subplot. Once night falls and black fog rolls over the lake, a cult of women appear and the movie turns out to be a vampire story after all, of sorts. So if boobs are distracting and you're wondering when the horror will show up, be patient.
A woman in white standing in butcher's shop, the walls and floors covered with blood, is the first striking image. Eva writhes on the bridge in a see-through pink dress. Faces, half-bathed in shadow, peer around a wooden plank. So, no skimping on the visuals. What there isn't any of is funny camp or over-the-top pretensions. That's good and fine and probably makes the movie highly accessible, but it also makes it a little less fun. Mai and Lahaie both give good performances and Rollin keeps his embarrassing tendencies under wrap. I can certainly recommend "Fascination." But I actually think I like the director's work better when he's trippier and goofier. We'll see how that opinion evolves as I continue my journey.
Which isn't to say it doesn't feature his trademarks. In the late 1800s, a thief swipes some coins from his fellow thieves. Despite the female tempting him with her heaving bosoms, he continues into the forest with his loot, the others in pursuit. Eventually, he comes to an isolated lake-surrounded château, home to two mysterious women. The girls immediately manipulate the guy, doing everything they can to keep him there until midnight. The girls, lesbian lovers and master seducers, keep whispering about a mysterious ritual. What does this have to do with the opening scene of a woman drinking ox blood for her anemia?
It's a highly erotic film. I counted three sex scenes and there's far more nudity. The girl, locked in a room, enjoy each other's company, caressing one another's backs and suckling each other's breasts. A pretty hot scene, especially since Franca Mai and Brigitte Lahaie are gorgeous. Eva, the blonde, seduces the young man into another stimulating scene and, later on, she is forced into servicing one of the other thieves in a stable. Despite being more plot-focused, it's still fair to say the film crosses over into soft core porn.
The horror elements slowly work their way in. The most famous scene involves Lahaie, clothed only in a black robe, swinging a giant scythe, an eroticized version of the Grim Reaper. Murder shows up more then once, bloodily slashing through the subplot. Once night falls and black fog rolls over the lake, a cult of women appear and the movie turns out to be a vampire story after all, of sorts. So if boobs are distracting and you're wondering when the horror will show up, be patient.
A woman in white standing in butcher's shop, the walls and floors covered with blood, is the first striking image. Eva writhes on the bridge in a see-through pink dress. Faces, half-bathed in shadow, peer around a wooden plank. So, no skimping on the visuals. What there isn't any of is funny camp or over-the-top pretensions. That's good and fine and probably makes the movie highly accessible, but it also makes it a little less fun. Mai and Lahaie both give good performances and Rollin keeps his embarrassing tendencies under wrap. I can certainly recommend "Fascination." But I actually think I like the director's work better when he's trippier and goofier. We'll see how that opinion evolves as I continue my journey.
Slow-going, but not bad...
macabro35727 May 2003
Blond-haired robber arrives at a chateau inhabited by only Lahaie and Mai after being perused by those he double-crossed in a robbery.
There's a couple of soft-core sex scenes involving the blond-haired robber and Lahaie as well as a lesbo scene with Mai.
In fact, Lahaie spends a lot of time taking her clothes off in this film. Even as she swings that scythe at the female robber, her boobs manage to ooze out from under her cloak. It's an ok gore scene with the scythe, although what's really special is how erotic Lahaie looks, naked underneath that cloak
Then night falls and Lahaie and Mai's blood-drinking female pals arrive and the fun really starts.
There are a couple of plot twists to the ending which I won't reveal but suffice it to say that this isn't one of my favorite Rollin films, although it does have it's erotic moments. I don't know why Rollin fans think so highly of this film. I'll leave that for THE GRAPES OF DEATH or his urban nightmare, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTED.
The Redemption DVD doesn't have much in the lines of extras beyond a couple of interesting trailers. It seems the French trailer has even more nudity and pubic hair being shown than the actual film does, especially when they're chomping down on Lahaie's blood in the nighttime scene from the bridge. What gives? Too much for the under 18 crowd?
The print is slightly scratchy but not too bad. Poor handling, I guess...
5 out of 10 for not being terribly scary, but for slight eroticism...
There's a couple of soft-core sex scenes involving the blond-haired robber and Lahaie as well as a lesbo scene with Mai.
In fact, Lahaie spends a lot of time taking her clothes off in this film. Even as she swings that scythe at the female robber, her boobs manage to ooze out from under her cloak. It's an ok gore scene with the scythe, although what's really special is how erotic Lahaie looks, naked underneath that cloak
Then night falls and Lahaie and Mai's blood-drinking female pals arrive and the fun really starts.
There are a couple of plot twists to the ending which I won't reveal but suffice it to say that this isn't one of my favorite Rollin films, although it does have it's erotic moments. I don't know why Rollin fans think so highly of this film. I'll leave that for THE GRAPES OF DEATH or his urban nightmare, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTED.
The Redemption DVD doesn't have much in the lines of extras beyond a couple of interesting trailers. It seems the French trailer has even more nudity and pubic hair being shown than the actual film does, especially when they're chomping down on Lahaie's blood in the nighttime scene from the bridge. What gives? Too much for the under 18 crowd?
The print is slightly scratchy but not too bad. Poor handling, I guess...
5 out of 10 for not being terribly scary, but for slight eroticism...
Mesmerising erotic vampire tale
Stevieboy66621 August 2018
A dashing young thief makes off with some gold coins and takes refuge in a stunning chateau, seemingly occupied by two beautiful women. But being a horror movie (and a French one at that!) things are not what they may seem..
I am no expert on Jean Rollin but I have seen a number of his horror movies, all of which I have enjoyed, and this one is probably the best. Plot wise it's pretty basic and perhaps a tad slow but is broken up by welcome sex scenes, for which Rollin is renowned. It stars a bevvy of beautiful women but Brigitte Lahaie is simply stunning, with and without clothes. Worth watching for her presence alone. It is also beautifully filmed, great use is made of it's main location, giving a nice dream-like gothic look. And the vampires are not your typical ones either, giving the film more credibility. Some horror fans may find it slow but it had me captivated and I will certainly being watching it again.
I saw the UK Redemption release, apparently passed uncut. However the trailer in the disc's extras actually showed more nudity, not present in the film. I'm a little confused by that but live in hope that there may be a more "explicit" version out there! essential viewing for fans of Euro horror.
Style over substance, but somehow it works
Leofwine_draca11 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is a slow-moving art-house flick in the vein of other French blood-drinking classics such as DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS. These films are obviously an acquired taste, but I found this to be delightfully creepy in a spooky kind of way. There isn't a plot as such, just a series of weird visual images directed in Jean Rollin's inimitable style. With these type of films the camera always stays static and there always seem to be femme fatales dressed in flowing white robes who somehow move in a magical slow motion.
Surprisingly, for a flick of this kind, the acting is actually rather good, especially from the three leads. Lahaie manages to be sinister-looking and beautiful at the same time, which is no mean feat. This is a film which is high on atmosphere, and low on action. There's a lot of sex to spice things up, but the main focus of the film is the hypnotic women and their desire for something. This something is never explained until the ending of the film, making it very suspenseful.
The ending isn't straightforward as you might think; instead, there's a clever twist in the tale which comes as totally unexpected. But the film works best when concentrating on some truly unique images - the best being the scene where a black-clad Lahaie goes on a killing spree with a scythe, quickly slaying those who stand in her way. The most disturbing scene would have to be the ending. This is a strange, frightening film which offers up no explanations as to why what we see occurs; it just happens. There is no happy ending, no linear plot to follow and no good or evil. Thus, it's a very interesting and rewarding film.
Surprisingly, for a flick of this kind, the acting is actually rather good, especially from the three leads. Lahaie manages to be sinister-looking and beautiful at the same time, which is no mean feat. This is a film which is high on atmosphere, and low on action. There's a lot of sex to spice things up, but the main focus of the film is the hypnotic women and their desire for something. This something is never explained until the ending of the film, making it very suspenseful.
The ending isn't straightforward as you might think; instead, there's a clever twist in the tale which comes as totally unexpected. But the film works best when concentrating on some truly unique images - the best being the scene where a black-clad Lahaie goes on a killing spree with a scythe, quickly slaying those who stand in her way. The most disturbing scene would have to be the ending. This is a strange, frightening film which offers up no explanations as to why what we see occurs; it just happens. There is no happy ending, no linear plot to follow and no good or evil. Thus, it's a very interesting and rewarding film.
Another Winner from Rollin
Michael_Elliott30 October 2016
Fascination (1979)
*** (out of 4)
Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) is a thief on the run from the people he stole from. He ends up taking shelter in a castle where he soon meets Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth (Franca Mai). The two women come off as incredibly strange but they keep referring to a party later that evening that Marc can't see.
Jean Rollin's FASCINATION is without question one of the director's better films, although the final act does take a bit too long to get where it's going. If you're not a fan of Rollin's work then I'd probably recommend that you start with THE LIVING DEAD GIRL or one of his vampire films but once you're used to his work this film will have so many of the director's touches.
As you'd expect, there's all sorts of sexuality between both the two women as well as their seduction scenes with Marc. It's really amazing how the likes of Rollin and Jess Franco could milk any scene for all the sexuality that it's worth and it happens here as well. One of the highlights is a sequence where Lahaie goes after one of the men trying to kill Marc. This entire sequence is perfectly directed and contains both the sexuality and violence that you've come to expect from Rollin.
Speaking of Lahaie, she easily steals the film with her raging beauty that just leaps off the screen. I've seen several of her movies but the way she looks here is just terrific and I'd argue she's never looked better in any other movie. Both Mai and Lemaire are also good in their roles. FASCINATION has a terrific visual quality and there's no doubt that the locations are put to good use. Fans of Rollin will certainly enjoy this one.
*** (out of 4)
Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) is a thief on the run from the people he stole from. He ends up taking shelter in a castle where he soon meets Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth (Franca Mai). The two women come off as incredibly strange but they keep referring to a party later that evening that Marc can't see.
Jean Rollin's FASCINATION is without question one of the director's better films, although the final act does take a bit too long to get where it's going. If you're not a fan of Rollin's work then I'd probably recommend that you start with THE LIVING DEAD GIRL or one of his vampire films but once you're used to his work this film will have so many of the director's touches.
As you'd expect, there's all sorts of sexuality between both the two women as well as their seduction scenes with Marc. It's really amazing how the likes of Rollin and Jess Franco could milk any scene for all the sexuality that it's worth and it happens here as well. One of the highlights is a sequence where Lahaie goes after one of the men trying to kill Marc. This entire sequence is perfectly directed and contains both the sexuality and violence that you've come to expect from Rollin.
Speaking of Lahaie, she easily steals the film with her raging beauty that just leaps off the screen. I've seen several of her movies but the way she looks here is just terrific and I'd argue she's never looked better in any other movie. Both Mai and Lemaire are also good in their roles. FASCINATION has a terrific visual quality and there's no doubt that the locations are put to good use. Fans of Rollin will certainly enjoy this one.
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