Where Frankenstein films are concerned, The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein, released in 1973, is perhaps the strangest of all. The story is convoluted and confusing, as to be expected given it came from Jesús Franco. Yet, it is so strange and so unreal that it is almost bewitching at times.

The plot, if one could call it that, involves Dr. Frankenstein, once again played by Dennis Price, creating a monster, portrayed by Fernando Bilbao once more, though the reasons for such are not apparent other than for the fact that he can. Making things far more interesting is a vampire woman named Melisa. She is half-covered in green feathers that leave little to the imagination, is blind, and has the most dialogue in the entirety of the movie. She serves a man named Cogliostro, served up with zeal by Howard Vernon, and it is not long before the audience finds him just as mad as Frankenstein as he tries to create his very own creature.

In the great canon of films that Franco amassed and directed over the years, this movie is neither one of his worst nor is it one of his best. Much like his previous Frankenstein effort, “Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein,” the movie exceeds expectations.  Even with a low budget, the film looks like a million dollars, so well is it shot. The costumes and special effects are terrible, but the atmosphere and the overall look of the movie are fantastic. The picture was lacking when it came to the story, and those who would act within, but Franco gives his audience something to look at, which at least is something. When it comes to making sense out of it all, it might have been easier if it were not so boring, the pace so slow at times to be almost glacial. With only seventy-one or so minutes to the entire affair, it feels like one has spent the entire day watching it, which is not a good feeling to have when coming out of a movie. That being said, there is so much to look at as he packs it full of whatever he is able. Vampires, madmen, a silver-toned monster and nudity galore. Unlike his previous Frankenstein effort that featured little in the way of birthday suits, Franco was not afraid to pack this movie full of lovely ladies baring everything for the camera, not to mention a man or two. It gives this Eurotrash effort a good dose of sleaze and quite frankly, makes it better because of it. At the same time, one does tend to gloss over it all as the film moves along, thanks to the hypnotic nature of the proceedings.

What is really quite funny about this picture is that nothing is overtly bad, simply lacking. It could have used some more action, as it would have livened up some of the scenes and more of Dr. Frankenstein. The movie could have expanded upon the monster’s role and explained where the vampire woman came from. It could have established who all those outlandish people in Cogliostro’s castle were and why they kept hanging around. Stronger performances, better music and a story a little less muddled would have helped too. In all, The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein might be flawed, but there was just enough there to keep one watching, even if it was the sheer insanity of it all.

2.5 out of 5