Isabella, Duchess of the Devils

This is an adaptation of a "fumetti", which were basically adult, (usually erotic) comic books popular in Europe in the 1960's and 70's. The most famous "fumetti"-based movies are "Barbarella" and "Diabolik", but others such as "Baba Yagi", "Satanik", and "Kriminal" have at least received a decent international DVD release. This one has been sadly neglected so far.

The story is set in medieval times and focuses on a female swashbuckler "Isabella" (Brigitte Skay) who's seeking revenge on the cruel baron who murdered her parents. Skay is not particularly believable as a swashbuckler--it's amazing she can wield her impressive breasts, let alone a sword. But she was clearly cast in this movie mainly to get ridiculously naked at every possible opportunity, and at THAT, at least, she certainly excels. This movie has plenty of ripe sexploitation, some of which is pretty politically incorrect by today's standards (such as when the wicked baron orders his mistress to strip off and try to get a "rise" out of black servant while his entire dinner party looks on).

The director Bruno Corbucci was the brother of famous spaghetti Western director Sergio Corbucci (probably the second most renowned spaghetti director after Sergio Leone). Brother Bruno also tried his hand the pasta-oater genre, but his most famous film was probably the crime thriller/comedy "Cop in Blue Jeans" with the great Tomas Milian. Swiss actress Brigitte Skay is definitely no Tomas Milian (although she does have nicer breasts). She is most famous for appearing in a couple Mario Bava movies like "Bay of Blood", but this is one of her few lead roles. This movie has some memorable scenes, even if it doesn't hold together too well and really runs out of gas by the end. If you like--or have even heard of--fumetti and fumetti adaptations, this is a pretty solid one and worth seeing