She Killed in Ecstasy Blu-ray Review

Severin Films’ release of Jess Franco’s "She Killed in Ecstasy" arrives on Blu-ray with a commendable 1080p transfer, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. Presented in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio, the restoration offers an impressively organic look, specifically noticeable in close-up scenes early in the film, which showcase exceptional depth and detail. Indoor sequences exhibit good shadow detail, adding to the overall visual appeal. However, some digital work introduces fluctuations in grain consistency, leading to brief anomalies such as sporadically sharp or smeary edges. Despite these minor drawbacks, the image remains stable with solid color saturation and only a few uneven transitions.

The high-def transfer appears to originate from a new remaster of the original elements, resulting in a video rich in detail. Background artifacts, furniture, and outfits are notably sharp and distinct, highlighting every wrinkle and texture. Facial close-ups are revealing, capturing pores and minor blemishes with precision. While certain scenes show increased blurriness and faded quality due to older cinematography and source damage, these instances are minimal and generally excusable. Contrast levels are consistently bright with crisp whites and true black levels that provide excellent clarity in darker scenes. Primary colors, especially reds, are vividly saturated, and secondary hues add a lively vibrancy to the film’s visual experience.

Overall, despite minor imperfections from digital corrections and source material limitations, "She Killed in Ecstasy" on Blu-ray delivers a highly detailed and vivid presentation that enhances its retro aesthetic and appeals to Franco enthusiasts.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "She Killed in Ecstasy" is anchored by a German LPCM 2.0 track with optional English subtitles. The soundtrack delivers impressive depth and clarity, particularly in its music tracks, which benefit from clean and distinct playback. The soundtrack’s imaging creates a broad sense of spatial presence, enhancing the film’s overall auditory experience. While dynamic range is satisfactory, certain moments display a notable uniformity, feeling slightly limited and constrained.

However, several audio imperfections dampen the experience. Throughout the film, there are instances of background hiss and pops, particularly noticeable in the early segments. These artifacts combine with abrupt decibel jumps that can be startlingly loud, contributing to noticeable distortion in the upper ranges. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible despite some poor ADR work that might come across as distracting. Although the low-end frequencies are modest, they suitably reflect the film’s vintage production quality. Overall, while the uncompressed PCM stereo soundtrack has its strengths in clarity and musical presentation, various technical flaws prevent it from achieving an optimal listening experience.

The extras provided in this Blu-ray edition of "She Killed in Ecstasy" offer a comprehensive, insightful look into the film's background and its key contributors. The "Jess Killed In Ecstasy" interview presents an in-depth discussion with director Jess Franco, shedding light on the film's creation and the challenges encountered. Amy Brown’s interview in "Sublime Soledad" is a poignant exploration of actress Soledad Miranda's career and her collaboration with Franco. Stephen Thrower’s segment provides an analytical lens on Franco's style and the thematic elements that define the 1970s era of his work. Actor Paul Muller reminisces about his experiences and professional interactions with the director, offering unique personal anecdotes. The original German trailer adds a nostalgic touch to the collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Jess Killed In Ecstasy: Interview with director Jess Franco discussing production challenges and Soledad Miranda.
• Sublime Soledad: Amy Brown talks about actress Soledad Miranda's life and legacy.
• Stephen Thrower on She Killed in Ecstasy: Analysis by Stephen Thrower on Franco’s 1970s cinema.
• Paul Muller on Jess Franco: Actor Paul Muller shares memories of working with Franco.
• Trailer: Original German trailer for the film.

Jess Franco's "She Killed in Ecstasy" (1971) comes to Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films, packaged with various supplemental features including interviews, trailers, and original motion picture soundtracks. Centro to this narrative is Soledad Miranda, portraying Mrs. Johnson, the young and captivating wife of Dr. Johnson, an ambitious medical professional whose controversial human experiments lead to his professional downfall and subsequent suicide. Inspired by Gabriel Marcel’s work, Franco draws on familiar themes from his previous film, "Miss Muerte" (The Diabolical Doctor ‘Z’), where revenge and seduction dominate the storyline. The film diverges in setting from a neo-Gothic atmosphere to a more contemporary early '70s Euro-trash aesthetic.

Miranda's performance is the linchpin, as she carries out her vendetta against those who vilified her husband. Despite moments of gruesomeness, Franco leans heavily into her allure, integrating eroticism within this revenge narrative, albeit less effectively than in "Vampyros Lesbos." The film employs the same actors and thematic elements but lacks the coherent dream-like ambiance of its predecessor. While the jazzy soundtrack by Manfred Hubler and Sigi Schwab offers smooth tracks, their placement does not punctuate scenes as effectively as in previous works.

Technically, "She Killed in Ecstasy" showcases Franco's stylistic composition through his work with cinematographer Manuel Merino in the picturesque locales of Calpe, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, and an architecturally stunning villa by Ricardo Bofill. Despite the film’s inherent production flaws and stilted dialogue, it offers pockets of Franco’s artistic flair, primarily seen in Miranda’s mesmerizing performance—captured just months before her untimely death. This Blu-ray release captures this blend of beauty and horror in a polished format, ensuring that fans and collectors have access to this emblematic piece of Euro-horror cinema.

In "She Killed in Ecstasy," Jess Franco reunites many actors from his previous work, including the captivating Soledad Miranda. While it may not possess the same dreamy allure as "Vampyros Lesbos," the film remains a fascinating watch for fans of Franco's unique style and Miranda's compelling performance. Franco's direction showcases his creative camerawork and attempts at stylistic brilliance, though these efforts are somewhat undermined by low production values, subpar performances, and often stilted dialogue.

The Blu-ray release, courtesy of Severin Films, excels in its presentation of the film’s visual qualities, delivering an exceptional picture that faithfully enhances the original cinematography. However, while the image quality is top-notch, the audio presentation fails to match its visual counterpart, falling into mediocre territory. Despite this shortfall, the release is bolstered by notable supplemental content, including another insightful interview with the late Jesús Franco and a CD featuring original soundtracks from three of his films: "Vampyros Lesbos," "She Killed in Ecstasy," and "The Devil Came from Akasava." These additions provide valuable context and enrich the viewing experience.

In conclusion, despite some of its inherent cinematic flaws, "She Killed in Ecstasy" on Blu-ray offers a technically impressive and richly supplemented package that will appeal to cult film enthusiasts and admirers of Soledad Miranda. Severin Films' efforts in enhancing the visual experience, coupled with exclusive bonus content, make this release highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring Franco's provocative and stylized filmography.