Watch Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS
- R
- 1974
- 1 hr 36 min
-
5.1 (8,282)
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS is a 1975 exploitation film directed by Don Edmonds and starring Dyanne Thorne, Gregory Knoph, and Tony Mumolo. The movie takes place in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II, and centers around the eponymous Ilsa, a sadistic and sexually depraved commander who enjoys torturing and killing prisoners in the name of medical research.
The film starts with Ilsa arriving at the camp and introducing herself to the new prisoners. She explains that she is conducting medical experiments on them in order to find a way to create a superior race, and warns them that any disobedience will result in severe punishment. From there, the movie dives headfirst into a series of graphic and disturbing scenes depicting the horrors of life in the camp.
Throughout the film, Ilsa is portrayed as a cunning and sadistic character who delights in causing pain and suffering. She is constantly experimenting on the prisoners, subjecting them to various forms of torture in order to further her research. She is also shown to be sexually depraved, using her position of power to force male prisoners to have sex with her in exchange for favors. These scenes are often accompanied by disturbing musical cues, emphasizing the film's exploitative nature.
Despite the film's lurid subject matter, Ilsa is not portrayed as a one-dimensional villain. Throughout the movie, there are hints that she may be experiencing some sort of internal conflict. She is shown to have a compassionate side, particularly towards the female prisoners who are abused by the male guards. There are also hints that she may be attracted to one of the male prisoners, suggesting that her sadism may be a result of her own sexual frustration.
The performances in the movie are generally solid, particularly from Dyanne Thorne in the lead role. She is able to convincingly portray Ilsa as a complex and multifaceted character, despite the sensationalistic nature of the film. The supporting cast is also decent, particularly Gregory Knoph as a male prisoner who becomes Ilsa's object of affection.
The cinematography is effective in conveying the bleak and oppressive atmosphere of the concentration camp. The lighting is gloomy and claustrophobic, with muted colors and harsh shadows. The camera angles emphasize the sense of confinement, often focusing on the faces and bodies of the prisoners as they are tortured and abused. The production design is also effective in portraying the grim realities of life in the camp, with sets that are appropriately gray and dingy.
Overall, Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS is a disturbing and exploitative film that is not for the faint of heart. The movie is filled with graphic scenes of torture and sexual violence, and is definitely not suitable for children or sensitive viewers. However, it is also a well-made film that has a certain campy charm despite its serious subject matter. Fans of exploitation cinema and grindhouse movies will likely find much to appreciate in this controversial and notorious film.