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Le scomunicate di San Valentino (1974)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 5/15

Sinful
5/15: A prime example of nunsploitation, Le scomunicate di San Valentino, which is translated as *drum roll* The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine, is rarely the erotica picture that it's made out to be.

It's not even a horror picture by any means. In fact, it's not sinful enough. But it's a nice period piece about the Spanish Inquisition with a slice of Romeo and Juliet. Although there's an indication of a plot for a good hour, The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine will slowly lose its grip by wandering to the other side, that is, the post-medieval torture which isn't much to see.

Because the cast fails to keep up with the demands of the material, the director opts for the zoom effect to do most of the work while the characters strip, make out, and say heavy-handed declarations to each other. At the same time, it's hard to make heads or tails of where things are going.

There are times that it intends to be an exploitative flick, but it's never followed through. There are times that it intends to be an historical flick, but it's never followed through. And there are times that it intends to be a soft porno flick, but it's never followed through. That makes it zero for three; what a terrible batting average. Many elements, especially the costumes, the dialogue, the ambience, the interior sets, and the secret passages, have been fairly successful, but I'm lost after three-quarters of the film because of no substance.

All in all, maybe the filmmakers of The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine should think about changing the title to simmer down expectations, hm yes?