Fascination (1979 film)

Plot

In April 1905, a group of fashionable Parisian women arrive at an abattoir to drink the blood of an ox as a way to cure anemia, and find the result successful.

Nearby a man named Mark, a thief, escapes from four other thieves. He is planning on heading to London with a bag of gold coins, but for the time being, must take refuge. He discovers a château isolated in the mountains looked after by two chambermaids, Elizabeth and Eva, who are awaiting the arrival of the Marchioness and her servants. The women, who appear to be bisexual and in a romantic relationship, are not scared, believing Mark is taking them hostage; rather, they find him attractive.

Eva sleeps with Mark, spurring jealousy from Elizabeth The group of thieves discover where Mark is hiding, and begin shooting at the château. Eva goes outside to hand over the gold, but while two of them count it, a woman accompanying the thieves takes Eva's dress. Eva seeks revenge by seducing two of the men inside the stables before stabbing them to death; she also kills the woman with a scythe.

The Marchioness later arrives with her servants, and they hold a party in which Mark is the only male, so he gets all the attention. When midnight comes, it is revealed that the women habitually lure people into the castle and drink their blood. Elizabeth helps Mark escape, so they hide out in the stables and the servants eat Eva alive. Mark confesses that he loves Elizabeth, whereas she admits that she never loved him and kills him. Elizabeth and the Marchioness go into the sunrise together.

Cast

Home media

Image Entertainment released Fascination on DVD in the US in 1999.

Redemption Films released it on DVD in the UK on 28 October 2008 in its original aspect ratio, with special features including a trailer and stills gallery, and again in 2012.

Kino Lorber released it on Blu-ray in 2012 as part of a five-disc Blu-ray collection, along with La Rose de Fer, La Vampire Nue, Le Frisson des Vampires and Lèvres de Sang.

Reception

Reviewing the film on Blu-ray, Charlie Hobbs of Twitch Film wrote, "Upon my first viewing of this film, I found myself struggling a little bit to remain engaged at first, however, around the halfway point, the film picks up significantly and the third act is a thing of beauty". Budd Wilkins of Slant Magazine, who reviewed the film as part of the five-disc set, wrote, "In Fascination, more than any other film in the set, the sexuality is staged in a manner befitting French erotica".