NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Mondo Macabro Blu-ray (June 2025): Mondo Macabro have transferred Bruno Gantillon's Girl Slaves of Morgana le Fay to Blu-ray. It is cited that "On its original release, this classic of sensual horror was heavily censored. It is presented here uncut, fully restored and in a brand news 4k scan from the film’s original negative." The 1080P transfer is a welcome upgrade over previous releases, particularly the, out-of-print, censored 2019 Cheezy Flicks DVD edition, revealing the full scope of Jean Monsigny’s cinematography. The color palette is notable, with the pastel lime-green, blues, and whites of the nymphs’ diaphanous costumes shimmering against the rich golds, reds, and blues of the Château de Val’s opulent interiors. The Auvergne landscapes, with their green foliage and misty lakes, are rendered with impressive depth. This HD presentation looks quite pleasing with only a handful of inconsistencies that appear to stem from the production limitations.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Mondo Macabro use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (16-bit) in the original French language. The lossless rendering appear to offer a faithful and immersive sonic experience that complements the film’s dream-like atmosphere. François de Roubaix’s (Farewell Friend, Daughters of Darkness, La Haine, Le Samurai) score (credited as 'Cisco El Rubio') is the centerpiece, with its blend of medieval-inspired melodies and psychedelic experimentation sounding crisp and dynamic. The delicate flute and harpsichord motifs in the “ship sailing” theme during the canoe sequence resonate with ethereal clarity, while the dissonant wails and percussive effects in the dungeon scenes deliver chilling impact. There’s no noticeable hiss, distortion, or dropouts. Dialogue is well-balanced, with clear articulation via the lossless transfer. Mondo Macabro offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray has curated an insightful collection of special features desirable for fans of Eurocult cinema. The audio commentary by director Bruno Gantillon and film expert Lucas Balbo (Obsession The Films of Jess Franco) - in French with optional English subtitles - is a highlight, offering a detailed exploration of the film’s production, from the challenges of shooting at the Château de Val to Gantillon’s influences, including Jean Cocteau and Jean Rollin. Two brand-new interviews with Gantillon (running almost 3/4 hour in total) delve into his creative process, reflections on the film’s lesbian themes, and its rediscovery, providing candid insights into his career and the 1970s exploitation landscape. A lengthy (45-minute) interview with star Dominique Delpierre (The Sicilian Clan,) who played Morgana, is a standout, covering her preparation for the role, experiences on set, and broader career in French cinema, enriched by her charismatic storytelling. An archival interview with Gantillon (over 10 minutes) from an earlier release adds historical context, focusing on the film’s initial reception and distribution challenges. The inclusion of Gantillon’s 1970 short film An Artistic Couple (1/4 hour) offers a glimpse into his early experimental style, with its surreal narrative and visual parallels to Morgana. A poor quality, brief, deleted scene is more of a curiosity than a revelation, showing an alternate moment of dialogue, while the publicity parade video showcases a collection of stills, posters, and promotional material. The trailer rounds out a robust set of supplements.

Bruno Gantillon's Girl Slaves of Morgana le Fay is a 1971 French erotic horror film that intertwines Arthurian legend, surreal fantasy, and soft-core exploitation. It's an appealing part of the Eurocult cinema landscape. The plot draws loosely from Arthurian legend, reimagining Morgan le Fay as a lesbian queen ruling a sapphic paradise. Unlike traditional Arthurian tales where Morgan is a scheming antagonist, here she is a complex figure - both alluring and menacing - whose power stems from her ability to manipulate desire and fear. The film has erotic and fantastical elements, with the central conflict revolving around Françoise’s (Mireille Saunin) choice between submission and resistance. Girl Slaves of Morgana le Fay may be evocative of lesbian vampire subgenre efforts popularized by Hammer’s The Vampire Lovers and Jean Rollin’s works like Fascination. The film’s blend of horror, erotica, and fantasy reflects the era’s loosening censorship and growing fascination with subversive sexuality. The Mondo Macabro Blu-ray will be right 'up the alley' of fans of 70's lesser-seen Eurocult classics or gothic-fantasy that transcend the film’s exploitation roots.

Gary Tooze