Perverse Titillation: The Exploitation Cinema of Italy, Spain and France, 1960-1980

by Danny Shipka

The exploitation film industry of Italy, Spain and France during the height of its popularity from 1960 to 1980 is the focus of this entertaining history. With subject matter running the gamut from Italian zombies to Spanish werewolves to French lesbian vampires, the shocking and profoundly entertaining motion pictures of the "Eurocult" genre are discussed from the standpoint of the films and the filmmakers, including such internationally celebrated auteurs as Mario Bava, Jess Franco, Jean Rollin and Paul Naschy. The Eurocult phenomenon is also examined in relation to the influences that European culture and environment have had on the world of exploitation cinema. The author's insight and expertise contribute to a greater understanding of what made these films special--and why they have remained so popular to later generations.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

346 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2011

Reviews

[Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good, though very incomplete, look at exploitation movies from three contrasting European countries in the '60s and '70s. Shipka's rationale for what to include and exclude seems a little arbitrary, and I would have preferred the reviews to either be in one section at the end or else in chronological rather than alphabetical order, but his analysis is good and I actually learned a few things about French exploitation movies.

[Daniel Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puedo leer horas sobre cine italiano de estas décadas. Lo de España y Francia está padre, pero el corazón de este libro (que abarca más del 50% del contenido) es Italia. Giallos, mondo, horror gótico, sexploitation, monjas calientes, brujería, etc. Todo está aquí. Salí con una watchlist increíble.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent way to learn about horror film history.

[Pearce]

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[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brillant, mesmerizing read.