MALABIMBA: THE MALICIOUS WHORE

This film begins with the camera panning some beautiful countryside scenery until a gothic mansion is shown. This stone mansion is surrounded by a forest, some mountains, and there's a big river below. Things start quickly as the film begins with a séance that unleashes a evil spirit that's more interested in sexual doings than violence, unlike some other demonic possession films. The spirit possesses a young woman which makes her commit some crude sexual acts on the other occupants of the mansion.There's a quote on the back of the box saying that it has gore and sex at the highest level, but the film has absolutely no gore at all. If you want gore and violence in your possession flick, then you'll definitely be disappointed. You'll also be disappointed if you're expecting any gruesome possession FX work because there's none. The possessed girl acts and talks dirty, but she doesn't become ugly or vomit stuff like in other similar films. The entire film takes place at this gothic mansion which was a great place to film it. The scenery is excellent, it has some good atmosphere, is well directed, and the acting is pretty good. The film is mostly visual by concentrating on nudity, sex, scenery, and atmosphere; but it does have some parts that get talky. Some people might think these parts are unnecessary, and this may bore some people a little. The main possessed actress is really attractive; this is supposed to be her only screen role. Another woman, Patrizia Webley, has been in other Italian exploitation films. She's an older woman but is also very good looking. Not only does the film contain abundant and explicit full nudity but also hardcore inserts, but the hardcore inserts in the film aren't from the cast; nobody on the set did hardcore for the film, and they were added in later with the body doubles. I don't want to spoil the film, but there's a funny sexual death scene involving some mute old crippled guy who barely moves and lays in bed. The film feels really sleazy at times, but it's also well crafted and the budget looks decent; it doesn't look really cheap like some other Italian exploitation films. The place where they filmed it really helps the quality of the film.The DVD doesn't have a directors interview, but there's an interview with the cinematographer and Maria Giordano. The quality is great. The picture is sharp with excellent color and contrast. Here's an update. I just got the Blu-ray. There's a message before the film starts that the negative that was used had suffered some degradation and damage. However, this is still the very best it has ever looked. The quality looked fine to me. Because of the scenery and nude scenes, this certainly needed a Blu-ray release. There's a commentary now that I wanted on this film. The menu screen has sound and some animation. Mine also came with a nice slipcover with nudity on the back.

Malabimba may be relatively unknown in the annals of pure horror or Euro trash which has made an impressive splash on the DVD market but underground enthusiasts of Italian adult cinema are very familiar with Andrea Bianchi's sleaze fest. And you have your choice of watching the soft core version (red artwork) or the director's cut which also includes several minutes of hardcore footage which have been integrated back into the film (white or black cover) through Severin. I recommend getting the naughtier version as this makes a great gift for anyone you love who is naughty and nice.Malabimba The Malicious Whore opens up with a rather atmospheric if not creepy scene where a seance is taking place in the family castle. As soon as the medium contact a spirit, things go haywire as one might expect. The lawyer's pans are unzipped and he is fondled by the demonic spirit. A woman's blouse is ripped open exposing her assets. Then the spirit proceeds to attack Sofia Sofia although she doesn't give in completely to temptation. Lastly, there's the teenage girl whom the spirit knows is pure of heart and possession of her soul is inevitable.Poor Bimba (Katell Laennec) spends most of her days alone in the family castle garden just reading books or playing with dear teddy bear while dodging the snakes that have found a new home in these gardens. It's enough to drive any young teen completely stark-raving mad. Her widowed father has Bimba's best interest at heart but can't really devote a great deal of his attention to her as he still grieves for the loss of his wife.Grandmother is afraid of losing the family castle but feels that her son should re-marry his brother's unfaithful wife in order to keep the estate. Although very much attracted to this voluptuous beauty Nais, he scoffs at the idea although she continues to try and seduce him for the next half hour of the film. Perhaps the plot here could best be compared to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by way of The Exorcist only much more sexually explicit.At first, no one seems to suspect that Bimba is possessed until they notice her rather strange or abnormal behavior which includes using filthy language at the dinner table amongst guests while grabbing for the chef's crotch. Within a few scenes, Bimba spies on her whorish aunt during her sexual escapades only to be caught by Sister Sofia. She even makes a pass at her beloved father who remains utterly clueless as to the rash behavior he continues to witness.Sister Sofia (played by the beautiful Mariangela Giordano) understands Bimba's need for comfort and support only to realize she's going to end up bargaining with a demonic force in order to save this young girl' soul. At this point, we are still unsure of whether Bimba has been possessed by a demon or if ancestor Lucrezia is taking over the poor girl's body.While the gore factor is practically non-existent, Malabimba does have a very creepy atmosphere and proudly exhibits some rather sexy material although rumor has it the integral hardcore scenes were not performed by the original cast. Even without the added footage which adds a few extra minutes to the centerpiece, Malabimba is a very sleazy film and will likely appeal to only those who seek adult entertainment.Andrea Bianchi would go on to direct the more popular and accessible zombie flick Burial Ground within a year of shooting Burial Ground. To the best of our knowledge, Katell Laennec never made any other films after shooting Bimba and little is known of her whereabouts to this day.Recommended!

MALABIMBA is considered by too many people as a classic; but I cannot understand why.The movie suggest Bimba (the main character; and adolescent of about 16 years old) is possessed; but this is not an horror movie; nor a religious one.It was probably meant as a criticism to false moral and sexual repression; a common thing in Italy between 1960 and 1970; but the message (if any, is pretty diluted).As an erotic movie; it is quite uninspired. The adding of a few seconds or hardcore porn did not improve anything.The acting however is pretty good; considering the usual cartoonish on Seventies' movies.It is only a curiosity or a collection item.

Very unique movie. All about a woman that comes back to haunt this household with lust.

This is a great movie, everything in it done perfectly, the story, the acting, the picture was clear, and artistic (realy honest photographer), I watched twice to notice more perfections, and the director did an amazing job. He did not leave anything for the imagination (full nudity, and sexploitation without cut). trust me it is worth what you pay for, and I wish they have similar movies like that in America.