Kino Lorber Unleashes Cult Classics: 4K Blu-ray Releases of the Infamous Ilsa Films!
In the world of cult cinema, certain films carve out a special niche for themselves, earning a place in the annals of cinematic history for their audacity, controversy, and unapologetic exploitation. Among these, the Ilsa film series stands as a provocative and enduring testament to the boundaries cinema dares to push. Now, fans of these iconic cult classics have something exciting to look forward to: Kino Lorber has announced plans to release 4K Blu-ray editions of all four Ilsa films early 2024.
Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS (1975)
The saga begins with Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS, a film that dared to explore the darkest depths of human depravity. Dyanne Thorne stars as Ilsa, a Nazi commandant whose insatiable sexual appetites are matched only by her lust for brutality. As the Allied Forces close in on Germany, Ilsa’s sadistic experiments reach new heights of horror, leaving audiences to wonder if the final solution to her reign of terror will come from the desperate actions of the Reich or the heinous revenge of the damned. Directed by Don Edmonds, this film was so controversial that even legendary exploitation producer David F. Friedman had his name removed. Shot in secrecy on the set of Hogan’s Heroes, this oft-banned epic remains as shocking today as it was decades ago.
Ilsa: Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976)
The sequel, Ilsa: Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, brings Ilsa back, even more vicious, and brutal. As the harem keeper for a depraved sheik, Ilsa and her lethal lesbian guards oversee the most sadistic slavery ring in the Middle East. When an American diplomat threatens to expose her perverse secrets, Ilsa ignites a holy war of sexual violence and savage revolt. Directed again by Don Edmonds, this second installment is as shocking and controversial as its predecessor.
Ilsa: The Tigress of Siberia (1977)
Ilsa: The Tigress of Siberia takes the story to the icy depths of Siberia in 1953. Ilsa now works in a Gulag prison camp, tasked with “retraining the minds” of those who oppose the Communists. Among the prisoners, Yakurin proves to be a formidable challenge. In 1977, Yakurin, now the coach of the Soviet boxing team, crosses paths with Ilsa again in Montreal. The two share a history of torment and revenge that promises to reach new heights of intensity.
Ilsa: The Wicked Warden (1977)
In the final installment, Ilsa: The Wicked Warden (aka Wanda the Wicked Warden, Greta the Mad Butcher), Ilsa transforms into a vicious warden running a mental hospital for young women. A visitor checks into the hospital, seeking answers about her sister’s fate, only to discover a nightmarish world of exploitation and depravity. Jess Franco directs this shocking sexploitation chapter in the series, as Ilsa and a sadistic guard force inmates into sexual acts, filming them and selling the footage as pornography.
Each of these four films is a masterclass in exploitation cinema, pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable on screen and leaving an indelible mark on the genre. The 4K Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber promise a new level of visual fidelity, allowing fans to experience the depravity and intensity of these films like never before.
Prepare to dive headfirst into the sadistic world of Ilsa as Kino Lorber delivers these iconic cult classics in stunning Blu-ray resolution. Stay tuned for their release early next year and be ready to revisit or discover the audacious and controversial legacy of the these films.
