CALIGULA REINCARNATED AS HITLER! (1977) ***

This has always been one of my favorite Naziploitation flicks, mostly because of the title.  It was originally called The Gestapo’s Last Orgy, but it was retitled to cash-in on Tinto Brass’ head-spinning hedonistic hardcore epic Caligula.  No, Caligula doesn’t appear.  Nor does he become reincarnated as Hitler.  However, it’s sort of accurate if you imagine that the same zany spirit the classic Caligula had has been transferred over to your typical Nazi flick.  In fact, I think it’s an overall “better” film than Caligula and certainly one of the most lurid exploitation movies of its day. 

After WWII, Commandant von Starker (Marc Loud) is exonerated for his war crimes and allowed to go free.  His lover, Lise (Daniela Poggi) wants to go on a romantic walk to the place they first met… a concentration camp!  As they walk through the ruins, they reminisce of their first meeting and all the atrocities that occurred there.

Such atrocities include:  Gynecological examinations, orgies, incinerations, menstruating women being fed to dogs, cannibalism, human lampshades, pegging, BDSM, women hung over a pit of hungry rats, a quicklime Slip n’ Slide, and forced felatio on a gun.

The love story angle at the heart of the film is what makes it interesting and memorable (and disgusting).  For me, it works much better than say, The Night Porter.  It certainly helps to grab your attention and announce that this won’t be your average Naziploitation potboiler.  That said, there is plenty of disgusting, depraved lunacy here, so fans of the genre won’t be disappointed.  The framing device works pretty well too, especially once the purpose of their little visit is revealed.  The performances by Loud and Poggi are quite good, but it’s Maristella Greco who steals the movie as Alma, von Starker’s perpetually horny second in command.

If there is a flaw, it’s that the ending is way too rushed.  There’s about twenty minutes of plot crammed into the last two minutes.  The movie is already pretty strong as it is, but I can’t help but imagine how much more powerful it would’ve been if the director Cesare (A Man for Emmanuelle) Canevari hadn’t allowed the final scenes to play out at such a breathless pace.  Still, the final moments are quite shocking and help make Caligula Reincarnated as Hitler! a classic of the genre (even if neither Caligula nor Hitler show up).

AKA:  The Gestapo’s Last Orgy.  AKA:  Last Orgy of the Third Reich.