Lorna, the Exorcist (1976)

It is worth pointing out that there are no exorcists, or exorcisms, in this film. To make up for any disappointment this revelation may bring, we are recompensed with numerous invasive scenes featuring Lina Romay (who plays Linda), Jacqueline Laurent (Marianne) and Pamela Stanford (the very frightening Lorna of the title). In fact, the films opens with a ten minute scene of graphic lesbian pornography. You guessed it – this is a Jess Franco picture. As such, it is almost as if two separate projects have been spliced together. For a change, however, this is almost certainly not the case. What we have then, is a Faustian storyline played by a very good cast, interspersed with elongated moments of pretty hard-core porn. Does one element distract from the other? That's for the individual to decide – for me, it presents blatantly, even by his own standards, Franco's unwillingness to play by any rules.The story. Patrick Mariel (Guy Delorme) is a wealthy businessman with a loving wife and occasionally troublesome daughter, who is about to celebrate her 18th birthday. His problems stem from his own stupidity – many years ago, when he was penniless and suicidal, he made a deal with the mysterious Lorna (with whom his daughter suspects he is having an affair), whereby he would become financially successful in exchange for his then unborn daughter, on her 18th birthday.Stanford as the formidable demon, sports the most appalling overuse of eye make-up. Such a mask-like touch could look ridiculous, but she actually looks incredibly unnerving, in part due to her confident and alluring performance. Her henchman Mariuziuz is played by Howard Vernon, but with her powers, he seems superfluous – which is something of a waste of Vernon's talents. Knowing Franco's schedule, Vernon was probably busy working on another film for the director at the same time! During the longest of his two scenes, Mariuziuz throws Mariel out of Lorna's apartment, after trying unsuccessfully to open a stubborn sliding door two or three times. Strange they didn't allow a retake.To add to the spice, Lorna refers to Linda as her daughter throughout, which gives the sex scenes between them an extra incestuous edge. There is also a scene where Marianne is festooned with crabs which is extreme and guaranteed to raise an eyebrow or two. Equally, the brutal use of a dildo later on makes the viewer wince somewhat. Franco's camera is obsessed with every area of intimacy; with any other director, you might assume the zooms and out-of-focus moments are borne out of over-excitement – with Franco, it's a trademark. Inappropriate music abounds (courtesy of classical guitarist André Bénichou and Robert de Nesle), especially in the climactic scenes, which due to Romay, are powerful and delightfully unselfconscious. Her scenes toward the end, when her 'new' nature takes over, are really well acted – subtly to begin with (not something you often find in these kind of films), and full-on terrifying the nearer we get to the end. And the camera, so intrusive, does Romay few favours, lingering far too long on a final huge-eyed close-up.A genuinely perverse and affecting film then, and one of the director's most personal. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend watching it on a first date.

A very young Lina Romay stars in this Jess Franco classic about a wealthy business man who makes a deal with a female demon; in exchange for wealth and prosperity, daddy promises his first born daughter to the sexy, mysterious Lorna. He doesn't take any of it seriously, until 18 years later, when Lorna returns to claim his nubile 18 year old daughter (Lina Romay in an early role) for her own. "Lorna the Exorcist" features wall-to-wall style, typical of director Jess Franco. Swanky casinos, nightclubs and beautiful homes and fashions, combined with a sultry and bizarre jazz score. And bizarre this film is; weird, even by Franco standards. It is never really explained why Lorna wears the crazy green eyeshadow halfway up her forehead; but the story is good, and there are some nice twists and surprises. The sex is extremely graphic here, bordering on hardcore. if you want to see ALL of Lina Romay, this is the one to seek out. I think the film would have been a bit better without the open clitoris scenes, as those elements take the viewer a bit out of the story, as things are put on hold for close-up vaginal shots. They are sexy, but unnecessary in a film that is good enough to maintain interest without them. The original language seems to be French, and the version I have seen is the longer 97 minute cut. For Jess Franco fans, "Lorna the Exorcist" is one to track down. And for fans of Lina Romay, this film is mandatory viewing! Romay, barely 19 years old here, has long hair, instead of the short cut that she sported later on. And Lorna must have kept her promise, because the home they live in is an absolute palace. The scene where Lorna "takes" Lina's soul is shocking and unforgettable!

An affluent businessman Patrick Mariel must protect his wife Marianne and nineteen year old daughter Linda against Lorna,a predatory witch who once helped the family attain wealth and status and now demands Lorna's soul as her payment."Lorna the Exorcist" is a pretty unnerving and extremely sleazy horror movie made by Jesus Franco.There is plenty of sex(both lesbian and heterosexual) and lots of full-frontal nudity provided by Lina Romay,Jacqueline Laurent and Pamela Stanford.The action mostly takes place in modernist hotels and casinos.There is a strong fairly tale ambiance and plenty of perversity.The scene in which Lorna deflowers Linda by first having teenage girl suck from her breast and then by shattering her virginity with a dildo is truly unsettling as is the final descent of Linda into madness.8 exorcisms out of 10.

No, this is not another European cash-in on "The Exorcist", unlike what it's title may suggest. It is, however, the most disturbing and shocking Jess Franco film I've seen. Hell, it is one of the most disturbing horrors I've seen, which is surprising considering this is a virtually bloodless film. It's horror relies, instead, in it's totally demented instances of psychosexual hysteria that can also be found in works such as "Possession" or "Dr. Jekyll and his Women". Franco haters tend to dismiss his work as amateurish and crude, and this criticism can be applied, in a way, to this film in particular. However, in this case, it works in favor of the film, coming across as making it's raw, gritty atmosphere all the more authentic. André Bénichou's haunting, experimental score also adds a lot to it. And for those who think Lina Romay has little to do in the director's works other than having to masturbate in close-ups, her performance here is a truly stunning tour-de-force that has to be seen to be believed, up there with other portrayals of sexually frustrated women in horror films, such as Catherine Denueve in "Repulsion" or Mimsy Farmer in "The Perfume of the Lady in Black". Her sex scenes with the equally bewildering Pamela Stanford (the titular villain), though graphic, are anything but sexy, and her final, extended "intimate" sequence is bound to make your jaw drop to the floor, not only because of what is shown, but also because of it's context. And that's not even the film's most shocking bit to begin with (anyone who's seen the film know about THE particular scene I'm referring to, and I dare not spoil it for those who haven't seen it). "Lorna the Exorcist" seems to have some kind of popularity with Franco haters, so I beg you to give it a shot. Even if you don't like it at all, one can't deny it will haunt you for days to follow.