Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 17, 2023

Jess Franco's "The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle" (1982) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films. The supplemental features on the release include archival program with Jess Franco; exlcusive new program with critic Stephen Thrower; and a segment of the documentary "In the Land of Franco". In Spanish or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The title is misleading in several different ways, which is not unexpected because Jess Franco was fully aware that the marketability of his films greatly depended on the attractiveness of their titles. (There are numerous archival programs in which Franco discusses the important role of a most attractive but also misleading title, a few of which are featured on Severin releases of his films). For example, despite promising serious sexual fireworks, the film does not have any orgies. It is not related in any meaningful way to the classic films about Emmanuelle with Sylvia Kristel either. In fact, one could successfully argue that Emmanuelle is not even the main character in it as well. (More on this later). Finally, inconfessable is a completely random word that cannot be attached to any events that are depicted in the film.

Here is something else that needs to be made very clear -- the two audio tracks that were prepared for the film are drastically different. The Spanish audio track, which should be considered the superior track, utilizes original music by Franco’s frequent collaborator Daniel White a.k.a. Pablo Villa, and has a very interesting seductive quality. But not of the trashy kind. Rather, it is of the upscale, very chic kind that does wonders for the film because it helps the erotic content match the stylish visuals of the incredible mansion that Emmanuelle and the rest of the leads visit. The English track is a lifeless dub track that makes the entire film look very cheap and boring. It does not use the exact same music, either. Since the film was one of many Franco made for the small Spanish production company Golden Films International, S.A. in the early 1980s, the dub track was almost certainly done much later and practically without a budget. Why? Because for quite a while these Spanish films stayed in Spain where they played only in several regional cinemas but still managed to turn some profit for Golden Films International, S.A. (By the way, this is the main reason why until very recently many of Franco’s films from this particular period were impossible to see in English-speaking territories. They were made to meet local demands and did not have proper international distribution deals, which meant that they were not handled with great care either).

In this film, the only connection to Kristel’s famous character is the identity of the new Emmanuelle (Muriel Montosse), who is still French. But this is it. The new Emmanuelle is far more extroverted and is in a relationship with Andreas (Antonio Mayans), a rather ordinary guy, who clearly does not offer her the attention she needs. Unsurprisingly, while the two visit a nightclub in a stunningly beautiful Spanish resort, Emmanuelle joins the luscious striptease dancer Pia (Carmen Carrion) and engages in a sexual act that instantly forces Andreas away from her. Shortly after, Emmanuelle begins a casual relationship with Pia but continues to explore the sexual thrills the area has to offer, while Andreas quietly suffers and then reevaluates his history with the love of his life. Most interestingly, all of these developments are either seen or described by a local aristocrat (Tony Skios), who has casual sexual encounters with Pia and other attractive ladies that benefit financially from his interest in them.

During his partnership with Golden Films International, S.A., Franco routinely worked with budgets that were very small even by his standards. (Critic Stephen Thrower speculates that Franco often used much less of the money he was given to fund even more films on his own, which he then sold for greater profits). However, while impossible to describe as a lavish production, the bulk of this film looks very good. It is primarily because of the incredible outdoor locations and footage from one giant mansion with a breathtaking interior design that might be the definition of retro class.

Several interesting subthemes float through the film as well. For example, the aristocrat, who is treated as the main character, sees himself as a living replica of the legendary Don Juan but with greater cojones. However, as the film progresses, it becomes obvious that he is a big star only in his head, not in bed. Obviously, the humiliation is entirely intentional, as Franco targets the classic cinematic image of Spanish machismo.

The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films.

The overall quality of the presentation is very similar to that of the other Spanish films that Jess Franco directed for Golden Films International, S.A. in Severin Films' catalog (Macumba Sexual, The House of Lost Women, Sex Is Crazy, Shining Sex, etc.). The visuals look good and stable. However, there are some noticeable density fluctuations, some of which are inherited, and the surface of the visuals is not in immaculate condition. While there are no serious anomalies, you should prepare yourself to see unevenness in terms of clarity and sharpness. The same can be said about color reproduction as well. Obviously, if meticulously restored, this film can look better, but I also suspect that the original materials for it have all kinds of different limitations considering how cheaply Franco liked to work. (For example, the softness and slightly out of focus shots that routinely pop up in Franco's films are inherited). In some areas, grain becomes a bit noisy, but it still looks decent. There are no large distracting cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English and English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear under the image frame.

The Spanish track is clearly preferable. It is the original track and sounds a lot better. The English track, which is a poor dub track, is extremely thin and shaky, lacking even basic depth. Dynamic intensity is practically non-existent as well. The Spanish track is fuller and better rounded, plus it handles the music score far better. (For what it's worth, the English track does not use the exact same music).

The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Inconfessable Jess - in this archival interview, Jess Franco explains why he did not want to make a conventional Emmanuelle, how he feels about Sylvia Kristel's classic character, and what he wanted to accomplish with The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle. In broken English, with English subtitles. (18 min).

• Emmanuelle Exposed - in this exclusive new program, critic Stephen Thrower discusses the production of The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle and the exact period in Jess Franco's career that it emerged from, as well as some key themes in it. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• In the Land of Franco: Part 9 - back in January of 2020, Severin Films released a promotional trailer for Stephen Thrower's exclusive new program In The Land of Franco in which he visits various locations throughout Europe where Jess Franco shot many of his popular cult films. Presented here is part two of the program. Part one of the program appears on the label's release of Cries of Pleasure. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jess Franco disliked Sylvia Kristel's classic character with a rather remarkable passion, and did not want to make a conventional Emmanuelle film. But he agreed to do The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle, which as you may guess is just another conventional Franco film with familiar Franco-esque characters living their lives to the fullest. It is a good genre film, or at least by Franco standards, but if you need some or all of the fireworks its misleading title promises, I recommend that you book a night with Cries of Pleasure, which chronicles one seriously atmospheric sexual séance. RECOMMENDED.