Review of The Devils of Monza

To call this film "nunsploitation" really does a disservice to this gorgeous Italian production. As the so-called exploitative elements only occur within the middle section of the film. nothing graphic is seen for 40 minutes into this one, and nothing graphic is shown during the last 40 minutes. In other words this movie was not produced for the purpose of showing sex scenes, but to tell a serious, diabolical tale of evil and corruption inside convent walls. The true story of the illicit affair between a highly respected nun and a not-so-respected Nobleman, is one of the most insidious studies of the nature of Evil ever to be captured on screen. When Sister Virginia interrupts Ossio's plan to bed the young, virginal Isabella, by banishing her from the convent, the decadent man takes it upon himself to prove that even the haughty "bride of Christ" can be a victim to her own carnal desire. With the help of his corrupt father, he sets into motion a diabolical plan to slowly seduce the woman away from her pious life, and from the protection of the convent walls. Ossio methodically breaks down her defenses, and once he gains entry into the cloister that no man is allowed to enter, it is finished for Sister Virginia. The most effective part of "Sacrilege" is the way it shows how evil slowly spreads to others in it's midst. Soon the other nuns are seduced and brought under the sexual spell, which is shown in some sinister looking erotic scenes that pits the once close nuns against each other, for sister DeLava's two cell mates are equally starved for the physical contact that their Superior shamelessly flaunts in front of them. As rumors begin to circulate of the scandal brewing, lust eventually turns to murder, as seen in some shocking scenes that follow. When people start to die, a feeling of sickness settles in the stomach, due to the dark nature of the murders. Artistically speaking, "Devils of Monza" is a true visual stunner with it's sumptuous period costumes and gothic sets. The score by Pino Donaggio is sweeping and romantic and fits the imagery perfectly. But the most impressive thing about this one is the photography. It's use of natural light is absolutely stunning. The way the outside light streams in through windows and plays off the figures within the cloister, the furnishings, the crucifixes, the stained glass and the nuns themselves, makes the movie take on the look of an actual baroque painting, the works of Caravaggio in particular. Outdoor scenes appear dreamlike, and tinted in some ethereal mist. Even the awful VHS print i viewed this on looked absolutely stunning. This is truly a film that deserves the digital restoration that so many of these obscure gems are receiving these days. Of course this most likely won't happen as some reviews here claim the movie to be "slow and boring." Those people obviously were watching this for the wrong reasons, looking for cheap exploitation. You won't find that here. Of it's genre "Devils of Monza" is one of the finest examples.