Book Review: JESS FRANCO: THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS FILMMAKER by Kristofer Todd Upjohn
What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says to you Jess Franco’s name? Is it his vast catalogue of movies that go well over the 100 mark.
Maybe its his love interest Lina Romay starring in the majority of his later movies. Perhaps its his undying ability to get what he wants on film, no matter what it takes. Whatever the reason may be there is no denying that Jess Franco has left his own erotic mark on the film industry. With this 192 page book written by Kristofer Todd Upjohn, you will either become even more a fan of Franco’s work or this will be the start of a wild journey into Franco Territory. This paperback covers such films as THE DIABOLICAL DR. Z (1966), VAMPYROS LESBOS (1971), THE EROTIC RITES OF FRANKENSTEIN (1972) along with a further 40 plus movies, all broken down and reviewed by the author and giving his own insightful opinion on the films. No one really knows how many movies Franco made in his lifetime especially with various cuts of his films going under different titles, but here you at least get a nice fill of Franco that should suffice your need for more information on the Spanish filmmaker. Also included throughout is film posters and stills all printed in black and white. Of course you get some lovely images as well of some of Franco’s usual actors including Klaus Kinski, Howard Vernon and the sultry Lina Romay. Pull up a chair, sit back and delve into the weird, often erotic, horror filled world that Jess Franco created by reading this book. If you finish the book without wanting to see at least one of Franco’s films then you can say you know more about him then you began with.
Review by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins