The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein R

European cult cinema shlockmeister Jess Franco subjects the much-retold tale of Frankenstein to a fantastic update in this gleefully perverse horror film. One of three films the director shot in Portugal between 1971-72, THE RITES OF FRANKENSTEIN (AKA THE EROTIC NIGHTS OF FRANKENSTEIN) features British character actor Dennis Price, who appears here as the titular character in one of his final roles, before his death in 1973. The quietly brilliant doctor has discovered a way to resurrect the dead, but he is cut down in his laboratory and his monster stolen by the ghastly bird-woman, Melissa (Anne Libert). Melissa is under the spell of Frankenstein's nemesis, Dr. Cagliostro (Howard Vernon, THE AWFUL DR. ORLOFF), who wants to use the monster to create a master race. The nefarious Cagliostro, however, didn't count on having to battle Frankenstein's daughter (Beatriz Savón), who sets out to extract revenge for her father's death. Quintessential Franco and shot on a miniscule budget, the intense performances from all the actors make this a compelling, lively, and occasionally genuinely creepy film.