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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray / 4K UHD (May 2025): Indicator has transferred Jean Rollin's Girls Without Shame to Blu-ray and 4K UHD. It is cited as being "Restored in 4K from the original negative" and "The 4K UHD has a 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible.)" The latter does not include the Blu-ray, which is sold separately. We can't obtain 4K UHD captures yet, but can get 1080P ones (Blu-ray) and comment on the whole package. Both formats offer three presentations of the film -- seamlessly-branched: Jean Rollin’s original French-language version, Jeunes filles impudiques; and alternative English-language presentations, Girls Without Shame and Schoolgirl Hitchhikers. A screen informs us: "Jeunes filles impudiques was released in France in 1973. An English-language version was prepared for export as Girls Without Shame, but despite the existence of original optical elements for these English-language credits, there is no record of the film having been released under this name. An English-language version eventually arrived in 1975 when the independent distributor Sunset International released it on the US drive-in circuit as Schoolgirl Hitchhikers. While the opening sequence simply replaces the title card, leaving all subsequent credits in French, it is under this name that the film has since been distributed in English-speaking territories." It is apparent that the title/credits are the only difference in the three versions so the image quality is duplicated. Overall, I was pleased with the 1080P and 2160P resolutions with rich, deep colors and film-like textures. The cinematography, credited to Jean-Jacques Renon (Rollin's The Demoniacs, The Iron Rose, The Shiver of the Vampires,) is a defining element of the film’s look, oscillating between lush, naturalistic exteriors and gritty, confined interiors. The film’s settings are integral to its look, reflecting Rollin’s fascination with isolated, evocative spaces. Shot on 35 mm, the film has a grainy texture typical of low-budget 1970s productions, which adds to its retro charm. The cinematography is marred by niggling errors, such as mismatched color temperatures in close-ups and continuity issues. I presume these to represent an accurate depiction of the original, modestly-budgeted production. Previous Blu-rays, Screenbound and Kino (possibly under their Redemption label), were criticized for poor image quality with comments that the transfer appears to be from a low-resolution source rather than a proper restoration. This new Indicator is a massive step-up and more so with the pristine 4K UHD where contrast is better layered and colors more balanced. This is the definitive visual presentation of Girls Without Shame, earning high marks benefiting from the 4K restoration source, offering a robust (dual-layered - maxed out bitrate) impressive transfer.

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

On their Blu-ray and 4K UHD, Indicator uses linear PCM 1.0 channel mono tracks offered in both original French or an English language DUB. The countryside scenes feature subtle ambient sounds, such as birds chirping or wind rustling, which enhance the pastoral setting. Sound effects for action sequences, such as gunshots or whipping during the skirmish, are unconvincing and cartoonish, typical of 1970s exploitation films. The frenetic music during action sequences contrasts with the lackluster choreography, inadvertently amplifying the film’s campy tone. The film’s quintessentially 1970s soundtrack, composed by Pierre Raph (Rollin's The Demoniacs, The Iron Rose, Requiem for a Vampire,) is notable - characterized by a percussive style that defines much of the film’s atmosphere. This upbeat, almost playful score on Girls Without Shame contrasts with the film’s darker themes of crime and sadism, creating a quirky, ironic tone. The English dubbing is often criticized for its poor quality with stilted delivery, awkward phrasing, and noticeable lip-sync issues. The film’s sound was recorded monaurally, and the transfer exports this flat and authentically, but I found it serviceable. Indicator offers optional English and English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray and 4K UHD.

The Indicator Blu-ray and 4K UHD offer a new commentary by David Flint (Sheer Filth!: Bizarre Cinema, Weird Literature, Strange Music, Extreme Art,) a noted expert on cult and exploitation cinema, who provides historical and critical context. Flint discusses Rollin’s place in the sexploitation genre, the film’s production under the pseudonym Michel Gentil, and its cultural significance in 1970s France. Commentaries by Flint are typically well-researched (see our reviews of The Body Stealers, The Devil's Men, Island of Terror, Night of the Big Heat,) balancing scholarly insight with enthusiasm, making this a valuable addition for fans and newcomers. Included is a 25-minute critical appreciation by Nicolas Stanzick (Midi-Minuit Fantastique,) an author and filmmaker known for his work on French genre-Cinema. It offers a critical analysis of Girls Without Shame. This feature explores Rollin’s stylistic trademarks, the film’s blend of eroticism and crime, and its place within his filmography. Stanzick’s expertise ensures a thoughtful examination, appealing to those interested in Rollin’s auteurist qualities. Also new, Christophe Bier, an actor, director, and film historian, provides a nearly 30-minute tribute to Joëlle Cœur, the film’s charismatic star. This feature delves into Cœur’s 4-year career, her enigmatic screen presence, and her collaborations with Rollin (e.g., The Demoniacs.) Bier’s multifaceted perspective adds depth, making this a highlight for fans of the actress and 1970s Eurocult cinema. Included is a new 4K restoration of Hubert Lacoudre’s surreal erotic short film Sexana, starring Cœur (Seven Women For Satan.) It is a significant inclusion. Described as an erotic spin on Alice in Wonderland, this 16-minute short features a new score by Peninsula, enhancing its dreamlike quality. The restoration ensures visual and audio fidelity, making it a rare treat for collectors. Damage marks are Grindhouse-esque. Its thematic connection to Girls Without Shame (eroticism, surrealism, and Cœur’s involvement) adds value, offering insight into the era’s experimental filmmaking. There is also a new critical appreciation of Sexana by Stanzick who returns with a 10-minute analysis of the short, discussing its surreal narrative, Lacoudre’s directorial approach, and its context within 1970s French erotica. This complements the short film, providing scholarly depth and enhancing its accessibility to modern audiences. Lastly, on both discs is an original theatrical trailer, image gallery of promotional and publicity material, and behind-the-scenes stills. A separate gallery for Sexana includes similar promo images, further enriching the release’s archival content. The package has an 80-page book featuring a new essay by Lucas Balbo, exploring the film’s production, cultural impact, and Rollin’s sexploitation phase. There is material from the film’s pressbook, offering contemporary promotional insights, an archival article on the French sex film industry with an interview with ‘Michel Gentil’ (Rollin’s pseudonym), providing historical context and Rollin’s own perspective, an archival interview with Willy Braque, a supporting actor, shedding light on the film’s cast and production, new writing on Sexana, analyzing its surreal eroticism and connection to Girls Without Shame plus full feature film credits, ensuring a comprehensive reference. This book is a keepsake for scholars and fans, offering both new and rare archival content that situates the film within Rollin’s career and the broader sexploitation genre.

We've covered all the Jean Rollin titles that Indicator has brought to 4K UHD so far: Requiem for a Vampire, The Night of the Hunted, Two Orphan Vampires, The Rape of the Vampire, The Demoniacs, Lips of Blood, The Nude Vampire, Fascination, The Shiver of the Vampires, and Girls Without Shame are of the same exceptional quality.

Jean Rollin's Girls Without Shame is a distinctive blend of 1970s French sexploitation cinema and Rollin’s signature dreamy, poetic style, shaped by low-budget constraints and the era’s exploitation aesthetic. Girls Without Shame reflects several recurring themes in Rollin’s oeuvre, adapted to the sexploitation genre: eroticism and female sexuality, isolation and abandoned spaces, crime and moral ambiguity, as well as sadism and power dynamics. The film shows his avant-garde sensibilities and the low-budget constraints of exploitation cinema. The Indicator Blu-ray and 4K UHD releases of Girls Without Shame are a triumph for Jean Rollin fans and cult cinema collectors. Both transfers deliver stunning visual upgrades, showcasing the film’s dreamy cinematography and 1970s aesthetic with unprecedented clarity. The extras are comprehensive, offering a brilliant commentary, critical insights, a restored short film, and a richly detailed book that elevates the release to collector’s item status. Highly recommended for Rollin completists, fans of 1970s sexploitation, and collectors of Indicator’s meticulously curated releases. The 4K UHD is the preferred format for its superior visuals, but the Blu-ray is a strong alternative for those without 4K setups. For the right audience, this comes highly recommended.

Gary Tooze