Jacques Stany Movies
When four male criminals are captured by the police, they are temporarily held at a women's penitentiary. However, when the men outwit their captors and take a number of women prisoners hostage, rape, brutality, and violence abounds. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Gemser, Gabriele Tinti, (more)
A quickie rip-off of director Uli Edel's visceral addiction drama Christiane F., Hanna D. follows the eponymous Dutch schoolgirl on her descent into teenage depravity, never skimping on the exploitive details along the way. Directed by Rino Di Silvestro (Werewolf Woman, Woman in Cell Block 7) under the pseudonym Axel Berger. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The title of this movie raises an issue that is never really met head-on in the story, instead, the focus seems to be on a meandering sub-plot. The Pope (Terence Stamp) was once Father Andreani, a teacher of Father Bruno Martello (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) when Father Bruno was studying at the Catholic University. As Father Andreani rises up the hierarchy until the cardinals choose him from among their ranks to be the Supreme Pontiff, Father Bruno errs by breaking his celibacy vows with a gorgeous terrorist and heads in the opposite direction -- actually, to India where he is given a magical mixture that induces a transcendental state, and apparently changes his politics as well. Once back in Italy, he is convinced by opposition bishops to murder the Pope -- but the ex-Father Bruno has his own devious plot in mind. Little does the Pope know what is in store for him, as the altered-consciousness of his old student fixates on a little bit of the mind-bending mixture that he has reserved for very special occasions. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terence Stamp, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, (more)
Directed by Berry Gordy, Jr. as a vehicle for his star Diana Ross, Mahogany traces the life of a poor girl who makes it in the fashion world (first as a model, then designer) and deserts her boyfriend (Billy Dee Williams) in the meantime, hooking up instead with a photographer (Anthony Perkins). The song "Do You Know When You're Going To" (Gerry Goffin/Michael Masser) was Oscar-nominated. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni star in this Italian comedy. The story begins with Loren as Valerie, a woman whose suicide attempt, prompted by a romantic disappointment, is thwarted by Don Mario (Mastroianni), a priest whom she called before she lost consciousness. She immediately falls in love with the priest. He is much taken with her beauty and considers asking for a dispensation to marry her, which encourages her greatly. The priest asks for advice, which ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous (castration). Meanwhile, he is promoted to be a Monsignor. At the same time, Valerie learns that she is pregnant, though it is not clear who the father is. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
Captain Turner (Rock Hudson) is the American paratrooper who employs Italian children to blow up a strategic dam controlled by the Nazis. He is the only survivor of his unit gunned down during the jump. Rescued by the moppets, he slaps and rapes German medico Bianca (Sylva Koscina), which implausibly leads her to trust Turner and help in the clandestine mission. Aldo (Mark Colleano) is the youthful leader who helps Turner carry out the bombing in exchange for an attack on his village. When the Nazis control the small town, their allegiance quickly changes as they fight the Germans they once considered allies. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Sylva Koscina, (more)
Reno Davis (George Peppard) is an American writer who has retired from the gentle art of boxing. Now wandering through France, he takes a job as a tutor for the son of a wealthy widow. Anne de Villemont (Inger Stevens) employs Reno to help in the education of her son Paul (Barnaby Shaw). Reno is led to believe Anne's husband was a French general killed in the Algerian conflict. He is puzzled over Anne's fears that her eight-year-old son will be kidnapped. Reno discovers the family has ties to a fascist organization that plans to takeover France, Algeria and finally, all of Europe. He contends with the shady psychiatrist Morillon (Keith Michell) and mysterious family friend Leschenhaut (Orson Welles), both of whom scare Anne whenever they are around. Reno is framed for his best friend's murder as he and Anne become the targets of the ambitious and maniacal schemers who wish to rule the entire European continent. Reno and Anne escape by car and plane, dodging bullets and kidnap attempts as they try to protect Paul from being abducted. The chase ends at the Coliseum in Rome, where Reno and the villains engage in a showdown in this gripping, mysterious crime thriller. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Peppard, Inger Stevens, (more)
One of two thrillers starring Carroll Baker and directed by Umberto Lenzi, this one was released in the United States as Paranoia, the original title of the second one. Katherine West (Baker) is a wealthy alcoholic who travels to her late husband's Italian villa from New York. Soon, a slimy conman named Peter (Lou Castel) and his girlfriend Eva (Colette Descombes) move in on Katherine, taking advantage of her confused state with sex, drugs, and blackmail. One scene has the hapless Katherine served a toad for dinner, and there are some interesting moments, but this is clearly the lesser of the two films. The annoying score was composed by Piero Umiliani. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll Baker, Lou Castel, (more)
This film has two segments exploring relationships subjected to sudden trauma. In the first, "Violence," a young wife is gang-raped while her husband is forced to watch. Afterwards, neither one even acknowledges what happened. In "Love," a wife is hospitalized after attempting suicide, and her husband flirts innocently with a pretty young nurse. When the wife dies, the husband is consumed with guilt over his perceived unfaithfulness. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
Though a slave, Lacer (Jeffrey Hunter) is well respected as a talented architect. After falling for Pennelope (Mylene Demongeot), the amorous slave of proconsul Maximus (Massimo Girotti), Lacer runs into trouble. He is soon sent off on search for gold, but finds that his orders are intended to get rid of him. He must think fast if he is to stay alive. Arnold Perl adapted this sword and sandal feature from Florence A. Seward's novel. Perl would go on to write the screenplay for Spike Lee's 1992 drama, Malcom X. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Hunter, Mylène Demongeot, (more)












