Book Review: The Films of Jesus Franco

McFarland has released a fascinating new study on Jesus Franco, whose prolific career netted over 180 films over several genres.  This book, by Francesco Cesari and Roberto Curti, covers the years 1953-1966. 

The book looks at Franco’s life and career from his first short film until he cut ties with his home country of Spain and became an international filmmaker.  Thus, we don’t get deeper assessments of later films like The Blood of Fu Manchu (1967), Count Dracula (1970), and Barbed Wire Dolls (1975).  However we do get a lot of fulfilling discussion on cult classics like Death of a Cyclist (1954), The Awful Dr Orloff (1961), and The Diabolical Dr. Z (1965). 

One of the more intriguing portions of the book deals with Franco’s work as second unit director on the Orson Welles film Chimes at Midnight which led to an eventually aborted screen version of Treasure Island.

The book is very detailed and thorough, showing Franco’s versatility as a filmmaker.  Each film is given complete information including credits, production history, and critical assessment.  The study not only covers each film’s cinematic aesthetic, but also its sociopolitical context within Spanish culture.

The Films of Jesus Franco 1953-1966 is one of the finest books on a filmmaker this reviewer has seen.  It offers thorough information that allows the reader to gain a more substantial respect for Franco’s work.

The book is available at this link:  FRANCO