Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

French Sex Murders Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 2, 2021

1972’s “French Sex Murders” appears to have a plan to deliver lurid entertainment for murder mystery fans, delving into an underworld of prostitution and maniacal male behavior to best stir up some evil encounters. Director Ferdinando Merighi doesn’t push himself when it comes time to crank up tension and provide horrors, but there are a few promising elements to the feature. It’s not a striking giallo, with “French Sex Murders” keeping a low profile when it comes to the basic ingredients of the subgenre. Morris aims for a blunt viewing experience, more comfortable teasing human perversion than actually delivering it.

A prostitute working for Madame Collette (Anita Ekberg) has been murdered inside her room, and her last client, Antoine (Peter Martell), is the number one suspect. Arrested for the crime, Antoine soon masterminds an escape, killing himself in the process. On the case is Inspector Fontaine (Robert Sacchi), who pursues clues and questions witnesses, trying to figure out what happened while those connected to the murder are picked off by a mysterious killer.

“French Sex Murders” is strange in many ways, but the casting of Sacchi is a real head-scratcher. A noted Humphrey Bogart impersonator, Sacchi offers his services to the production, which imagines Bogey on the case, complete with chain-smoking and trench coat style. I’m sure there’s a reason for this, but Merighi doesn’t provide one, never quite acknowledging the weirdness of such a vision. The helmer has more on his mind than unintentional(?) comedy, organizing a whodunit that deals with brothel happenings, the wonders of science, and the promise of young love. Cruelly, “French Sex Murders” isn’t as active as it could be, but suspects are varied, and murder scenes are more artful than graphic, with Merighi playing with color and editing to reinforce shock value, giving the effort curious restraint.

French Sex Murders Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "French Sex Murders" is billed as "newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm original negative." The results are quite appealing, doing especially well with colors from the early 1970s, offering bright primaries on fashion choices and decorative elements. Hair color is also pronounced, with bold blondness common. Skintones are natural. Detail is strong throughout, capturing distinct skin particulars and fibrous outfits. Brick nightclub interiors and domestic spaces also register with ideal texture. Distances are preserves, especially with Eiffel Tower tours. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong shape.

French Sex Murders Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Vinegar Syndrome includes a note at the beginning of "French Sex Murders" detailing efforts to find a complete version of the film. Unfortunately, no complete dub was available, creating a handful of moments where brief subtitles are used to cover missing areas during the 1.0 DTS-HD MA track. While noticeable, it's not disruptive. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, with dubbing easy to understand, and emotional surges are stable. Scoring efforts are supportive, adding a heavier bass to suspense sequences.

French Sex Murders Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan.

• Still Gallery (2:51) collect lobby cards, press kit pages, and poster art.

• "The Wild, Wild World of Dick Randall" (32:41, SD) is a 2005 appreciation piece for the producer, beginning with his origin story in New York City, finding his way into the business of film distribution. Moving to Rome, Randall found ways to churn out movies without spending too much money, beginning his journey in exploitation endeavors. The documentary details his relationship with wife Corliss Randall, and his expansion into the global market, having a hand in bringing Bruce Lee to the world. Following trends and oddities, the producer kept rolling along, often taking small parts in these efforts. Randall's late career includes time in London, working into the 1980s with junky offerings. The subject's cult legacy is also assessed.

• A Trailer has not been provided on this release.

French Sex Murders Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Giallo touches are limited, with "French Sex Murders" more straightforward as a detective story, dealing with motives and chases, including time around the Eiffel Tower. The picture has its moments, and oddness tends to save the viewing experience, but it's not a hardcore hunting with traditional giallo offerings, coming up short in stalking sequences and bodily harm.