She Killed in Ecstasy (1971)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

"Sie tötete in Ekstase" or "She Killed In Ecstasy" is a pretty short West German / Spanish horror movie about a woman who goes insane after her husband commits suicide. The husband was a renowned doctor, but one of his studies was performed in a way that other important doctors could not accept and that is why they publicly humiliated him and forbid him to keep working in his profession. As a consequence, the man commits suicide and his wife takes revenge on the people who caused this to her husband. The director is the famous Jesús Franco and the lead actress is played by his muse Soledad Miranda. Miranda was already dead when this was released here and there is certainly some irony to the last scene of the movie and her tragic death. The most known 8at least to me) actor in here is Horst Tappert, who plays a police detective who does apparently not have 1% of Derrick's wit and intelligence.You can watch this film for a couple reasons. Taking it seriously in terms of story, however, is not one of them. It was obvious who the killer was after the first murder and yet nobody came to stop her. Instead the police still wonders almost at the end of the film who did this. Pretty ridiculous. The murder scenes are also not too scare actually, more like funny how weird they are and there are several more scenes for which this applies. The best reason to watch this is either because of Miranda's stunning beauty (some nudity in here too) or simply as a guilty pleasure. Yes sexuality certainly was different in the 1970s and I am not only talking about the protagonist's bush down there. At one point, the film almost sounded like an installment of the popular "Schulmädchen" franchise. Solid watch all in all, but by today's standards really more funny than scary. I recommend it. Maybe my favorite from Franco.

Dr. Johnson (Fred Williams) is happily married with his beloved wife Mrs. Johnson (Soledad Miranda) and is researching human embryos using animal cells. When he brings his findings to the Board of the prominent Dr. Franklin Houston (Paul Müller), Prof. Jonathan Walker (Howard Vernon), Dr. Crawford (Ewa Stroemberg) and Dr. Donen (Jesus Franco), the committee rejects his researches and destroys his laboratory. Dr. Johnson has a nervous breakdown and commits suicide, and the disturbed Mrs. Johnson seeks revenge, seducing each member of the Board and killing one by one while having sex with her victims. "Sie Tötete in Ekstase" a.k.a. "She Killed in Ecstasy" is a movie of revenge that uses a storyline very similar to François Truffaut's "The Bride Wore Black" with a grieving woman seeking revenge on the responsible for the death of her beloved lover. However, this film follows the usual style of the director Jesus Franco, with kinky sex, nudity, lesbianism and murders. The hot Soledad Miranda is very beautiful and sexy. My vote is five.Title (Brazil): "Ela Matou em Êxtase" ("She Killed in Ecstasy")

Soledad Miranda. Two words that should send any hot-blooded fan of classic exploitation cinema beating a tad faster. In "She Killed in Ecstasy", Miranda is spectacularly sexy as she sets about to avenge her deceased husband wearing a number of disguises.Jesus Franco himself appears as one of the doctors responsible for Miranda's husband's untimely end.This is one of Franco's best movies. It moves at a good pace, it's sexy and stylish and doesn't outstay its welcome. Although the ending is a little hurried, this is a satisfying revenge thriller.Accompanied by a wonderful '70s soundtrack from Manfred Hübler and Sigi Schwab, this is a genuine pleasure to watch.It's a genuine tragedy that Miranda died just as her biggest films were about to be released. She remains one of the silver screen's most beautiful stars.8 out of 10.

Frano is on again/off again more than probably any director in history. His days with Soledad Miranda were arguably his best, as can be seen in this tasty tale of revenge.Miranda plays a recently widowed woman who seeks out revenge upon the people she blames for her husband's suicide. She first seduces them and then kills them. The preying mantis metaphor is slapped on a little thick, as the later victims know what's going to happen to them, yet do nothing to stop it.The film is played out in a dreamy kind of pacing. Little sound and dialogue, distanced shots, slow camera movements; it's like a lethargic daze echoing the detachment of the lead character. Franco takes his time unfolding the seduction and revenge, and he displays more flair for cinema than many would believe him capable of. The film is far from flawless though; the story is never complex, acting is either too subtle or over stated and the dialogue is pretty simple. Also, the character motivations lack strength all around, which robs the film of most all emotion.Of the MANY Franco films to choose form, I would suggest this one for a view, especially to those unfamiliar with the director.7/10