The Nurse Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Nurse Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 14, 2024

Nello Rossati's "The Sensuous Nurse" (1975) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Shameless Entertainment. The only bonus feature on the release is an archival program with Nello Rossati and set and costume designer Toni Rossati. In Italian or English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

While I would not place The Sensuous Nurse next to some of the similarly themed films Edwidge Fenech and Mariangela Melato made, it is unquestionably one of the better such films. On this side of the Atlantic, these films are usually described as erotic or sexy comedies. However, even though they do offer some thrills that erotic and sexy comedies are expected to produce, they are not that one-dimensional. The very best of these films are a lot like Seduced and Abandoned. They are carefully scripted satires that choose and hit many interesting targets, and some are wonderful time capsules, too. In other words, the erotic or sexy material in these films is usually ornamentation.

The aging Count Leonida Bottacin (Mario Piso) falls seriously ill while trying to please a much younger beauty in his bedroom. Doctor Pavan (Attilo Duse) confirms that the old-timer has suffered a massive heart attack, but then reassures his relatives that with proper care and the blessing of the almighty man upstairs, he is likely to recover. Shortly after, the relatives, led by Benito Varotto (Duilio Del Prete), hatch a plan to put the old-timer in a coffin and assume control of his business assets, which American magnate Mr. Kitch (Jack Palance) is ready to acquire in a mutually beneficial deal. Varotto then travels to Switzerland and meets former lover Anna (Ursula Andress), a very sexy nurse, and hires her to give the old-timer a second and fatal heart attack. However, the perfect plan begins to fall apart when the youngest of the relatives, a hot-blooded teenager, becomes obsessed with Anna, and the old-timer shocks everyone by quickly making a complete recovery.

The comedy and bits of satire that are packaged with it are both pretty good. However, they do not make The Sensuous Nurse an attractive film. What does is the presence of two stunningly beautiful actresses who appeared in two great James Bond films in the early 1960s. The first is Andress. The second is Luciana Paluzzi. Also, it has been proven over the years that only male viewers find The Sensuous Nurse attractive, so if trying to decide whether to spend a night with it, keep this in mind.

Virtually all vintage publicity materials for the The Sensuous Nurse focus on Andress, which is entirely understandable, but the good in the film features Del Prete. His temperament and ability to easily create great energy in every scene are very similar to that of the legendary Alberto Sordi, so usually there is an obvious positive effect on the work of his costars. When Del Prete is not in front of the camera, it feels like the viewer is quickly led through staged scenes that only have to look decent. This is why it is quite easy to criticize Nello Rossati’s direction.

The material with Andress and Paluzzi is nicely shot, but it is impossible to describe as arousing. Also, it is short and not out of sync with ongoing developments, so it does not feel like the two are treated by the camera as sexual objects. The best material is with Andress and her young admirer, who imagines being very close to her as she swims naked in a large pool.

Palance’s contribution to The Sensuous Nurse is a gimmick. He does have one good scene, but it is quite easy to tell that he was cast to make The Sensuous Nurse appear like a much bigger and far more ambitious international project.

The Sensuous Nurse can be viewed with Italian and English tracks. The Italian track is the original track for the film and has been used in international territories as well. However, both tracks feature overdubbing, and the one used on the English track is rather mediocre.

The Nurse Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Sensuous Nurse arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Shameless Entertainment.

Nearly twenty years ago, the defunct label NoShame Films released The Sensuous Nurse on DVD, and currently this is the only other release of the film I have in my library. Last night, I spent a couple of hours with the Blu-ray release and thought that its presentation of the film was lovely. Apparently, the Blu-ray release is sourced from a 2K master, which has a very solid, very convincing organic appearance. Indeed, all visuals look very healthy and boast wonderful density levels, so on a large screen everything looks significantly better than on my old DVD release. Depth, in particular, is much more convincing. Color balance is excellent. All primaries and nuances are properly set and look lovely. There are a few spots where saturation levels can be even better, but there are zero anomalies to report. Image stability is excellent. I did not see any distracting cuts, debris, marks, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 4.75/5.00. (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 Nurse Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the Italian track.

I tend to prefer the Italian track. However, both tracks feature overdubbing that is not great. I ran a few quick comparisons with my R1 DVD release, and while the audio sounds fuller on the lossless track, the limitations of the original mix are still prominent. It is why in a few areas the dialog and the music can sound a tad flat, while elsewhere dynamic balance is just not very natural. But this is how these types of Italian genre films were made, so the lossless track accurately reproduces the quality of the original mix.

The Nurse Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Calling the Nurse - in this archival program, director Nello Rossati recalls how he was contacted by the legendary Italian producer Carlo Ponti with an offer to do The Sensuous Nurse and explains why and how he was able to pleasantly surprise him. Set & costume designer Toni Rossati also addresses the look of the film, the many unique locations that were chosen for it (especially in Venice), and the clothing/attire of the stars. Also, the gentlemen have some quite interesting comments about the casting of Jack Palance and Ursula Andress' performance. The program was produced for U.S. label NoShame Films' release of The Sensuous Nurse in 2005. In Italian, with English subtitles. (24 min).

• Cover - a reversible cover with vintage poster art for The Sensuous Nurse.

The Nurse Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

No one made sexy comedies as well as the Italians did. The very best of these films are usually fantastic satires whose messages about the games the two sexes love to play are still relevant today. Many of them are pretty darn funny, too. And yes, many of these films feature some of the most beautiful ladies that graced movie screens between the 1960s and 1980s. I would not place The Sensuous Nurse among the best of these films, but I like it a lot. It unites two stunning James Bond girls, Ursula Andress and Luciana Paluzzi, which I think is a very good reason to seek and see it. This recent release from Shameless Entertainment is sourced from a wonderful 2K master and is Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.