Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS

A cornerstone of the 1970s sexploitation cinema, Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS is a textbook example of the especially vulgar subgenre known as the Nazisploitation film, dramatizing the atrocities performed by a sadistic commandant (Dyanne Thorne) at a German concentration camp. Ilsa uses male prisoners as erotic playthings and women as subjects of medical torture, then brutally executes all who fail to satisfy her unholy desires. Unlike the classical Hollywood depiction of WWII Nazis as having a certain nobility, Ilsa reduces fascists to self-serving monsters, completely lacking in morals, performing quack science in the guise of medical research. Despite being condemned by film critic Gene Siskel as “the most degenerate picture I have seen,” Don Edmonds’ orgy of violence became a runaway success. Ilsa immortalized Thorne as a grindhouse goddess and inspired three sequels and a host of imitations, none of which could rival the shocking depravity of the original.

In presenting the complete four-film cycle of Ilsa films, Kino Cult has crafted new 4K restorations and is framing each release with the original (uncensored) poster art and a wealth of contextual material, including the recollections of producer David F. Friedman, director Don Edmonds, and actress Dianne Thorne (recorded in 2000).

Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS contains scenes of graphic violence and sexuality that some audiences may find offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.