Fraulein Doktor

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Ken R This solid (but little remembered) Italian/Yugoslavian production is a serious attempt to show the horrors of WW1 trench warfare, especially when deadly gas is employed against the troops. While it's based on the exploits of the German spy Elsbeth Schragmuller some situations may not all hold to various documented facts. In this story, she is credited with planning the death of Kitchener via the sinking of HMS Hampshire by U-boat attack - an act she may have had involvement with but a seemingly unconfirmed account. Production values, direction, and the performances of a large international cast are professional in most all departments. This was European film-making of a high order, at a time the USA was giving over to increasing levels of lightweight fare. Unfortunately, most of the pre-release publicity tended to focus on the almost never before dared scenes of lesbian activity (her seduction of a top lab scientist to access the gas formula). This featured what was possibly the first female kiss to be given more time than it needed, to garnish some sensationalistic attention. It also may not have helped the careers of the actresses involved, as both Suzy Kendal and Capucine were respected stars of the day but each tended to fade following this film's release. Cinematography and editing are top-class, and while the marvelous score by Ennio Morricone may not have been utilized as well as it might have deserved, it delivers a high emotional charge and perhaps stands as one of Morricone's most descriptive and beautiful themes. Curiously, the final end-screen credit goes to the prolific Bruno Nicolai as the music director, and it's been suggested he may have collaborated with Morricone to add greatly to this work (will we ever truly know how these things played out?) Fraulein Doktor has been neglected for decades but has recently appeared on DVD in a semi-pirated form (as it's now in public domain) looking like it was possibly lifted from a 16mm TV print (1.33.1) instead of its original 35mm (1.85 W/S ratio -16x9) but it deserves a far better treatment to showcase its production pedigree. Worth finding but search for the best quality available or a televised presentation. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/02/22 Full Review Read all reviews

Fraulein Doktor

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