After the death of Victor Frankenstein, two figures vie for control of his metallic-skinned monster: the scientist's daughter, Vera, and the immortal wizard Cagliostro, who is assisted by a bird-woman with an unquenchable thirst for blood.
Veterans of Abertoir know we have a soft spot for Jess Franco, that Spanish master of Euro-sleaze and crash zooms. Anyone expecting high art and sophistication should turn away now, as Erotic Rites is prime Franco at his best. British actor Dennis Price (of the lovely Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets) finds himself at the end of his career playing Doctor Frankenstein, and there’s some whipping, some crash zooms, some more whipping, some skeletons, and a shrieking woman with green feathers sellotaped to her hands.
And to confuse matters even more, Jess made two versions of this film - one for the strict Spanish market where nudity was forbidden, and one for the naughty French in which anything goes. We won’t tell you which version we’re showing…
