I Have A “Fascination” With Brigitte Lahaie And You Should Too!
Sometimes a single image is all it takes to make a film a classic – like this one:
Brigitte Swings A Big Scythe!
When I saw this image, I had to see the movie – it’s 1979’s “Fascination”, directed by Jean Rollin…and it’s available on DVD!
I bought it, watched it, LOVED it, and had to know more about Brigitte!
My “2022 Sex Kitten Countdown” looks at the career of that “Scythe-wielding” beauty Brigitte Lahaie, one of the most beautiful French Actresses of all time!
She was born Brigitte Van Meerhaeghe in 1955 in rural France – but moved to Paris Witcher sister in 1975, and it was just one year later, as France’s made XXX-films legal, that she got into the adult film industry!
In her career, Brigitte made more than 130 films, both hardcore and mainstream – here are some of her best!
French Director Jean Rollin directed her in “Vibrations Sensuelles” (Sensual Vibrations) in 1976, and has said that he noticed Lahaie’s “distinctly different personality,” and thought she had “incredible charisma.”
Clearly, the camera loved her:
The Director offered her a role in his 1978 film, “Les Raisins de la Mort” (Grapes of Death) – which wikipedia says was the first gore film produced in France!
Obviously, Lahaie had no problem with nudity, but the camera loved her, and next up, Rollin had her star in the cult classic “Fascination!”
“Fascination” is set in 1905, when a thief seeks refuge in a castle owned by two women, who turn out to be part of a vampiric cult of blood-drinking aristocrats!
Here’s the scene where she appears with the scythe – moody, arty horror at Rollin’s best:
Jean Rollin is a fascinating filmmaker: his movies are somewhat slow moving, moody, and filled with lots of nudity and blood…more on him later:
The movie has gained a huge following over the years, and it’s definitely worth a look, if only to see Brigitte!
Around this same time, Brigitte also appeared in the film “The Night Of The Hunted” by Director Rollin as well.
A woman is taken to a mysterious clinic where patients are losing their memories due to a strange illness. The film gave Lahaie multiple opportunities to be nude.
Among her other credits are films with titles like these:
“Six Swedish Girls in a Boarding School!”
How can you argue with that?
“Secrets Of A French Maid” is another example of the erotic fantasies she made – but she also starred in mainstream action films as well!
“Caged Women”
It seems like everyone did a “women in prison” film, and that includes Brigitte!
She was also “The Female Executioner” in 1986, playing a tough female cop trying to solve the kidnapping of young Caroline by a gang of pornographers.
Lahaie has had quite an eclectic career, including releasing original music:
In 1987 she recorded and released the single “Caresse tendresse” (“Caress tenderness”).
Lahaie also published several books, and has been the focus of books as well.
In a 1996 interview, she addressed her career in adult films:
“I don’t mind talking about those films. I owe a lot to them. They made me famous, and it would be ridiculous to deny that. I was the first French sex star, after all, so I certainly have to carry this reputation with me. I loved the job, and it was really important for me to have done it. I was very shy, very unsure of myself, and doing those films gave me a lot of self-confidence. However, I have done many other things since, so it’s a bit odd that people are still mainly interested in this aspect of my life.”
She was a captivating Model and Actress, and hosts a hugely popular radio talk show in France – she is still going strong!
There are a number of great remastered films with her that you can buy as well.
“Fascination” is just one of the great Jean Rollin films that you should check out…here’s another one:
French Actress Francoise Blanchard starred in this sexy, gory gem – see more about it here:
One of my favorite Jean Rollin films starred Joelle Coeur:
She was also stunningly beautiful, and in “The Demoniacs” she gives an uninhibited performance that you must see to believe!
Click here for more of her wild career:
Here’s another of the incredible beauties who worked with Director Rollin:
Yes, that Actress Christina van Blanc puzzled by her new piece of furniture – click here to see her wild film with Rollin AND Jess Franco as well!
Brigitte Lahaie was one of a number of Cult Movie Queens who went between soft – and hardcore film work:
Sharon Kelly was in a number of great cult films before performing in hardcore films as Colleen Brennan – see her story here:
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Categories: 70's Films, Artsploitation, Euro-Sleaze, Exploitation Films, Extreme Cinema, Grindhouse, Horror films, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Sexploitation Films, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
I have not seen any of those films yet, but agree that Brigitte is hot stuff!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, Director Jean Rollin is a moody filmmaker, but “Fascination” and “The Demoniacs” are both pretty fascinating….softcore as well
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I’m a huge fan of the works of Jean Rollin, with my favorite being Night of the Hunted.
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Yes, he had such an eclectic career… I do not own any of his explicit film, but have the Vampire films and a few others…moody and slow moving, but a hypnotic rhyme to them as well…thank you for commenting!
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Jean Rollin is a new name and talent for me! Thanks!! The guy sounds like a Hell of a unique presence. I’m off to Prime. Bunch of his flicks, there. Cheers!
OH yeah, the broad was pretty great, too!
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Thanks for reading…a moody, pensive Director who then throws in lots of nudity and shocks, so it’s a unique style to be sure!
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A few years ago I saw Night of Hunted for the first time and I was sold! Great movie, memorizing beauty.
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Yes, I ended up buying 7-8 of Rollin’s films, and they are all unique and fascinating! Thanks for the comment, great to hear from you!
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Brigitte was the first “glamour girl” I ever laid eyes on (what a place to begin!). My parents were clearly having a “spicy evening” and one of Jean Rollins films was accidentally left in the Betamax player until the following morning, I descend at some ungodly hour & be nosy. What can I say; life changing moment…& likely (more than not), why I am most definitely described as a “boobs/breast man” in my adult life 🤗. I couldn’t take my eyes off her (nothing much has changed in all these years😜). I rushed home from school that afternoon, called all my friends & was THE most popular kid on the block for 30 seconds…until mother came in to the living room & rumbled what I was up to😇🤥🗯️ Happy days! Same happened a year or so later, with “Shiver of the Vampires” which may have been same director even🤔
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I think it was the same Director, Jean Rollin – thanks for the comment – hilarious!
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