Written by: Michael Den Boer on December 2nd, 2005
Theatrical Release Date: France, June 14th, 1974
Director: Jesus Franco
Writer: Jesus Franco
Cast: Dennis Price, Andrés Resino, Geneviève Robert, Britt Nichols, Howard Vernon, Anne Libert
DVD released: September 13th, 2005
Approximate running time: 80m24s
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Release: Image Ent.
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.99
Discs: 1xDVD-5
The Film :
Colonel Mendoza has become infatuated with his deceased wife’s younger sister Beatriz who now controls the family fortune. Only one problem Beatriz is in love with another man Raymond Franval a known revolutionary. So Colonel Mendoza with the help of Senora Cardel concoct a plan in the two lovers will be framed and convicted for murder. Linsday is a lawyer who is told by Colonel Mendoza who is now on his death bed tells him about everything. Can Linsday collect enough evidence to save Beatriz and Raymond from their date with the executioner?
Video:
Image Entertainment presents Devil’s Island Lovers in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the films original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The colors and flesh tones look accurate and healthy. The black levels are strong and the image remains stable through out. Images do look sharper in the foreground and sometime some of the background compositions look a tad too soft. Overall the print used is in excellent shape outside of a few specs of dirt.
Audio:
This DVD comes with only one audio option a Dolby Digital mono track in Spanish. The dialog is easy to understand and the music and effects sound evenly balanced. Bruno Nicolai’s score really benefits from this sound mix as there are no problems with distortion. There is some minor hiss that is noticeable through out, still nothing that ever becomes distracting. Even though this audio mix says mostly in the center and fronts channels it is more then adequate considering its mono limitations. Removable English subtitles have been included that are easy to read and follow.
Extras:
Nothing this is strictly a barebones affair.
Overall:
Devil’s Island Lovers is one of the most conventional and straight forward Franco films that I have seen to date. The film is mostly told in a series of flashbacks that are inter-cut with present day. A lot of the Franco trademark’s like zooming in is present and despite this film not being as adventurous visually as some of his other films it does have a few stand-out moments visually. Once again Bruno Nicolai teams up once again with Franco and he delivers another mesmerizing score that perfectly compliments Franco style as a director. Image Entertainment’s Devil’s Island Lovers DVD is a solid audio/video presentation that can be found at an extremely reasonable price and it is a must purchase if you are a die hard Jess Franco fan.