ECCO/THE FORBIDDEN: EXPLOITATION EXTREME

I’m a fan of exploitation films. I was young enough to experience my first taste of exploitation films at the local drive-in while in high school. Others were experiencing the same films in sleazy grime filled hole in the wall theaters that later became known as grindhouses. All of us were experiencing these films before they became in vogue in recent years.

The thing is that not all of these films were good but not all were bad either. Most were somewhere in between, movies made to play in those locations much like the low budget flicks that were released to fill the shelves of video stores during the 80s. Most possess a certain amount of charm and almost all were exploitation films of one kind or another, more often than not featuring plenty of exposes flesh (at least what could be gotten away with). But another genre began with the release of a “documentary” called MONDO CANE.

This 1962 Italian documentary was made for shock value. It consisted of a series of travelogues that featured various cultural practices from around the world and was intended to stun audiences in the Western world. It did just that and made a ton of money doing so. It also spawned a series of imitations that more often than not used the word “mondo” to pull customers into theaters. Such is the case with two movies released by Severin called ECCO and THE FORBIDDEN.

The two movies are included in one package, both by nudie/roughie filmmakers Bob Cresse and Lee Frost I 1963. Seeing the success of MONDO CANE they decided they could make a movie of their own in the same vein and cash in.

ECCO (also known as THIS SHOCKING WORLD) featured a number of items from around the world including a deer castration by women using their teeth, lesbians, the Grand Guignol Theater in Paris and a man who pierces various parts of his body. There are roller derby girls, strippers and male body builders. Satanists hold a black mass ritual in England and whalers slicing up the catch of the day. All of this is narrated with posh civility by actor George Sanders.

THE FORBIDDEN is much the same. This time around we witness an all-female martial arts class, teens on Sunset Strip spending a rowdy night on the town that’s much more intimidating than what we were exposed to in AMERICAN GRAFFITI and more lesbians and strippers. All of this in 1966 when the film was released was considered scandalous. Which of course resulted in money from eager customers wanting to see what was taboo at the time.

The first thing you’ll notice while watching these two films is that none of what they offer seems to be all that scandalous in today’s world. Gay rights have made seeing same sex couples kiss and more blasé in today’s world. Strippers are accusing Presidents of having had sex and are seen in numerous mainstream films now. And many of the scenes shot here supposedly undercover you can tell are actually done on sound stages and not real. But they did create a stir when these films were released.

Fans of the genre will be glad they finally have access to these two titles on blu-ray. Film historians might be a little interested in having them available to be discussed by those who study movies. And the curious will watch them and laugh about people getting upset by movies like this so long ago. They are a curiosity and something that might make an interesting party tape rather than something to be taken seriously.

Severin has done a solid job of making them available in great shape though. In addition they include extras like the trailer for ECCO, a short film called I WANT MORE and an interview with producer David Goldstein who doesn’t hold back in his views of Bob Cresse. But you’ll have to watch to find out what he says.

An interesting title that will appeal to a select crowd. Severin is also releasing MONDO FREUDO and MONDO BIZARRO as well.

Click here to order.