4K Ultra HD Review: SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP (1976)

 

SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP

Directed by:  Sergio Garrone

Distributed by:  88 Films / MVD Entertainment

 I am sure all my readers are aware of exploitation films, and even sexsploitation films, but not all of you might be aware of the exploitation sub-genre called Nazisploitation.  Nazisploitation films contain all the ploitations.....exploitation, sexsploitation, and of course...Nazis!  

 Nazisploitation started back in 1964 with the release of a film called LOVE CAMP 7, but is was 1974's ILSA, SHE WOLF OF THE SS that really gained popularity and started the Nazisploitation rage of the late 70's.   Nazisploitation films were all the rage, with such titles as SALON KITTY (1976), THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY (1977),  SS HELL CAMP  (1977), and SS GIRLS (1977) just to name a few.   All these films follow the basic same premise/plot....women are experimented on in many different ways, all to the enjoyment of the SS officers and guards.  They all end (usually) with the women taking over and getting revenge on the SS officers in some brutal way.    

 SS EXPERIMENT LOVE camp is not the best film of the bunch, but it's entertaining enough to justify adding to your Nazisploitation collection  (I assume we all have one of those, right?).   Here is the basic plot from the MVD website:

Possibly the most infamous entry into the Nazisploitation genre, Sergio Garrone's SS Experiment Camp is a harrowing and deliberately triggering experience which, even by today's standards is as powerful as it was when originally released in 1976. From its provocative, tabloid baiting original poster of a naked woman dangling crucified and naked, the movie pushed the boundaries as far as it could. Set during the tail-end of World War II we follow the deranged experiments performed on innocent prisoners of war by the utterly sadistic and evil Colonel von Kleiben in his attempt to create the perfect Aryan race. Shocking, notorious and endlessly exploitative, the movie continues to disgust audiences all over the globe nearly 50 years after its initial release.

 The film is pretty tame by today's standards to be honest.  They are lots of surgeries and mutilations, but most are pretty fake looking.   Most of the torture scenes are not too extreme.  One "torture" was placing a woman in a tub of water and then slowly decreasing the temperature until she is frozen alive.   This effect was actually pretty good, especially for the time. There is of course the lesbian lovemaking scenes that any "Women in Prison" or Nazisploitation film can't go without.   Also, this might be the only film in existence that shows a testicle transplant.  No need to go into details on that, I'll let you get the film and check that out for yourself! 

 I remember watching this film many years ago on DVD, and I remember how dark and grainy the film was.  I'm sure it was a cheap release and it looked like it.    The new release from 88 Films is presented in a brand new 4K remaster, and it looks amazing.   I love seeing older films like this being remastered and cleaned up, to the point where they don't look as old as they did on VHS or DVD. 

 SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP is available now, and includes the following Special Features/Bonus Material:

• *  INCLUDES SLIPCASE WITH ART BY JOEL ROBINSON
• *  BOOKLET WITH NOTES FROM TIM MURRAY AND RACHAEL NISBET
• *  Brand New 4K remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
• *  Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
• *  High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio also included
• *  English 2.0 LPCM Stereo with Optional SDH Subtitles
• *  Italian 2.0 LPCM Mono with newly translated English subtitles
• *  Audio Commentary by Italian Cinema Experts Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti
• *  Sadistically Yours, Sergio G. - An Interview with Director Sergio Garrone
• *  SSadist Sound - An Interview with Music Historian Pierpaolo De Sanctis
• *  The Alibiso Dynasty - An Interview with Editor Eugenio Alabiso
• *  Framing Exploitation - An Interview with Cinematographer Maurizio Centini
• *  Italian Opening and Closing titles
• *  Original Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K UHD 

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: LOVE CAMP 7 (1969)

LOVE CAMP 7
Directed by  Lee Frost
Distributed by Blue Underground & CAV Distributing

 I have seen a lot of sexploitation and more notably, Nazisploitation films in my movie reviewing career, but somehow had never seen this 1969 gem, which actually ushered in the wave of Nazisploitation films of the 1970's.   While later films of this genre might have improved upon this one, you can't deny the impact this film had on an entire decade of film.   Here is the basic plot from the CAV website:

  The story of LOVE CAMP 7 is based on fact! During the darkest days of World War II, two young American WAC officers volunteer to infiltrate a Nazi Love Camp on a desperate rescue mission. Once inside, they are subjected to horrifying humiliations at the hands of their captors. Can they survive long enough to complete their objective and escape with their lives intact?
  Launching the Nazisploitation craze of the 1970s, LOVE CAMP 7 was the dream child of Writer/Producer/Star Bob Cresse (THE SCAVENGERS), Producer Dave Friedman (BLOOD FEAST), and Director/Cinematographer Lee Frost (THE BLACK GESTAPO). Blue Underground presents the original version of LOVE CAMP 7 in a brand-new 4K restoration from its recently discovered camera negative!
 
  This film will probably seem pretty tame by today's standards, and probably even by standards set by later films of the 1970's in this same genre of film.   I can imagine though at the time of it's release back in 1969, this was probably horribly upsetting and shocking to audiences.    There are still some shocking parts to the film, but overall it is one of the tamer exploitation films I have seen.  

  While not horror by any means, the film does have a crazy scene at the end where the women get their revenge on the Nazi officers.  I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say one of the greatest kills comes from the use of a wine bottle opener! 

  While these films were used mainly as an excuse for showing lots of female flesh, I never really understood how or why these types of movies were so popular. As much as I enjoy seeing these beautiful women, I don't enjoy the story line and plot aspect of them being treated as love slaves for the Nazi officers.   I guess that was part of the point of these films, to make you uncomfortable.  It also serves to make the ending more enjoyable when you see the women get their revenge.  

  The film is well made and well paced, with hardly ever a dull moment.   The new transfer from Blue Underground is excellent, with a very crisp and clear picture.  It looks amazing for a film that is 48 years old!  

  LOVE CAMP 7 is available now on a 2-disc limited edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Blue Underground and CAV and contains the following special features:

• NAZITHON: DECADENCE AND DESTRUCTION
• Theatrical Trailer
• Poster & Still Gallery
• BONUS Collectable Booklet featuring The History of Nazi-Exploitation by Paolo Zelati


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack