The Cremator (1968)

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Review:

Karl Kopfrkingl is a seemingly well intentioned family man, who works in a sluggish Crematorium. In an attempt to increase his business, Karl hires a misfortunate Jewish confectioner, Mr. Strauss to pass out advertisements for his services. An arrangement that is finalized at a party Karl has thrown for all who wish to attend.

Varieties of guests arrive, including a former war comrade, Walter Reinke who's love of the Reich, and his German heritage encourages a newfound fixation for Karl. Who is now tempted to enlist the aid of Dr. Bettleheim, another openly Jewish man, when he wishes to find out the purity of his blood.

Kopfrkingl's actions are merely a prelude for what's to come. As he begins to justify his desires to destroy those closest to him, from his Jewish wife Lakme, to his very effeminate son, Mili. Karl's decline is evident, when he identifies with the beliefs of the Nazi Party.

Merely another excuse for him to fulfill his desires to incinerate.

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In Conclusion :

A fascinating look at a man's slow descent into madness. With a sense of dread that lingers throughout till the film's conclusion.

The Cinematography is gorgeous, each image resembling some lost fragment in time. The opening credits are also amazing, as photographs of disembodied limbs litter the screen with decaying beauty.
Perhaps, I am only hardened by the myriad celluloid atrocities I have witnessed. I feel that the impact of the film was lost to me, as I fixated more on the tediousness, and the slow pace rather the the subtlety. I know not all viewers need to be hit over the head with obvious terror, and for those viewers this film would be a very rewarding experience.

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Screen Captures: (All Screen Caps are taken by me, please do not use without my permission.)

Gestapo's Last Orgy (1977)

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Review:

Two unlikely lovers, prison camp survivor Lise and the sadistic Commendant Starker, return to the graffiti covered remains of a prison camp compound. Lise relives the events that happened on her arrival to the camp.

Consumed by grief, Lise believes that she is the reason her family was killed in the gas chambers. Her desires for a peaceful life in Switzerland, lead her to disclose information about her family to the Gestapo.

With no family to rely on, Lise is intent on feeling the icy grip of death, a fate that she feels she deserves. Commandant Starker, unfortunately has other plans for her. He subjects her body to unspeakable tortures and humiliation, expecting her screams for mercy, all the Commandant receives is silence. After having his fill with the seemingly unbreakable prisoner, the two begin to establish a rather peculiar relationship when Lise's passion for life is rekindled by the prison camp doctor. She denounces everything important to her, to show her loyalty to Starker. Whom she secretly plots revenge against.

The compound itself is a haven for war ravaged soldiers, who are assigned to stay at the camp on special leave, so that their bodies can be revitalized by illicit pleasures. The men line up, with their genitals dangling free between their legs, as they are shown a delightfully perverse slide show showcasing the various prisoners partaking in sexual acts. From a camp vixen who loves the sight, and smell of fecal matter. To a poor mother and daughter pair who are tied together in opposite positions so their faces are directly above each other's pelvic regions. The photographic evidence is enough to entice the men.

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In Conclusion:

Despite the distasteful subject matter, the film is very well made and the plot very involving.

To me the characters are what make this film. My favorite being the female officer who loves to feed menstruating females to her ravenously hungry dobermans.

Those who are easily offended should view with caution, for they will be subjected to Nazi feasts, with charred Jewish flesh as the main course, torture, and various clothing oddities like panties made from the hair of Jewish girls, to gloves made from the skin of unborn babies.

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Screen Captures: (All Screen Caps are taken by me, please do not use without my permission.)

The Notorious Concubines (1969)

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Review:

We are first introduced to a weary traveler, approaching a decomposing arm extending high from a burial site. This man also has the misfortune of stumbling upon a bandit being tortured by a gaggle of warriors. After being left with just the boy's bloodied corpse, he takes the man in his arms and begins to reminisce about the events that led to a man's downfall.

We learn of the temptress Chien-Lan, who's unrequited love for her husband's brother, leads to a series of deceptive acts and murder. Even though her modest husband caters to her every whim, she still finds satisfaction in the arms of a more affluent suitor, Mien-Shing, who's taste for violence and sex may very well be her downfall.

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In Conclusion:

Although the film is hindered with akwardly filmed battles, and the occasional scene where a girl's pubic region is obscured by optical fogging. The movie does have something to offer.

My favorite being, Chien-Lan, who seems to be a rather plain woman at first glance, yet transforms while in the embrace of passion, providing many erotic moments that only include her glowing face, contorted with pleasure.

I wanted to see this film mainly because I wanted to see one of Koji Wakamatsu's earlier films. Although the film is nothing special, the dvd includes tons of extras, such as another film "Violated Paradise", and vintage Japanese strip reels that are more then worth the purchase of the DVD.

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Screen Captures: (All Screen Caps are taken by me, please do not use without my permission.)