70s Films Header Image

Bluebeard

Bluebeard – 1972
Bluebeard loved all his wives passionately… to death!
Directors
Edward Dmytryk
Luciano Sacripanti

Writers
Ennio De Concini
Edward Dmytryk
Maria Pia Fusco

Producers
Alexander Salkind
Ilya Salkind
Pierre Spengler

Cast
Richard Burton – Baron von Sepper
Raquel Welch – Magdalena
Virna Lisi – Elga
Nathalie Delon – Erika
Marilù Tolo – Brigitte
Karin Schubert – Greta
Agostina Belli – Caroline
Sybil Danning – A Prostitute
Joey Heatherton – Anne
Edward Meeks – Sergio
Jean Lefebvre – Greta’s Father
Erica Schramm – Greta’s Mother
Doka Bukova – Rosa
Mathieu Carrière – The Violinist

Review by Sven Soetemans

Incoherent version of a great tale,
Ever since I was a child, the morbid tale of Bluebeard intrigued me immensely. But apparently, it’s not very easy to find adequate films about the lady-murdering Baron. I haven’t been able to track down the 1944 version (starring John Carradine!) yet, but I was very happy when I got hold of this one. I figured it couldn’t go wrong with this cast (Richard Burton and Raquel ‘One Million Years B.C.’ Welsh), the period of release (the rancid 70’s) and because it partly is an Italian production (they dare to exceed limits of good taste more easily).

To my regret it turned out a disappointment… Not that it’s an entirely bad seventies film, though. The classic tale is respected and the seventies film implies an interesting structure, but it’s so darn tame! To any creative director or scriptwriter, this plot would offer such a great opportunity to deliver a compelling, adrenalin-filled film but here it’s not the case. It doesn’t even feature the slightest bit of sleaze, which I actually hoped for. There’s too few excitement and action while the chilling set-pieces are underused. To choice to have Richard Burton play Baron Kurt ‘Bluebeard’ Von Sepper sounded like an ingenious casting idea but his performance only is so so.

For those unfamiliar with the plot: it handles about a German WWI veteran who returns from the war a ladykiller….literally. His eighth wife Anne discovers a secret room in the castle and a horrible secret. The only good comments actually go out to the female cast! One thing you got to admit, Baron Bluebeard has a fine taste and eye for female beauty. Goddess Raquel Welch is great as a nymphomaniac nun and also Sybil Danning, Nathalie Delon and Virni Lisi impress in their roles of ex-wives. Bluebeard is worth a peek if a TV-station would ever program it, definitely not worth buying.

Share it now

70s Films

A tour through the great and not so great films of the seventies The seventies saw a huge change in styles and genres from the advent of the slasher horror movies like Halloween and the blockbuster summers films started by Jaws. More...

Join the Discussion

Register now & join in the discussions, this will allow you to add your own comments, memories, photographs and stories to our ever growing website dedicated to the Seventies. Simply sign up using your Facebook, Twitter, Linked In or Google+ Account

Your API connection setting not working. try to change setting from module option or check your php.ini setting for (cURL support = enabled OR allow_url_fopen = On)

Like this Film ? Share it now