Jesús Franco
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- May 12, 1930
- Died
- April 2, 2013
- Birthplace
- Madrid, Spain
Jesús "Jess" Franco was a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England. Though he had some American box office success with Necronomicon, his first women-in-prison film Ninety-Nine Women, and his two Christopher Lee films, The Bloody Judge and Count Dracula, he never achieved wide commercial success. Franco moved from Spain to France in 1970 so that he could make more violent and sexual films, and it was at this point that his career began to go downhill commercially, as he turned to low-budget filmmaking with a heavier accent on adult-oriented films. Although he produced a few well-received, low budget horror films in the early 70's, many people in the industry considered him a porn director due to the huge number of X-rated adult films he began churning out. Franco returned to low-budget horror in a brief comeback period from 1980-1983, but after 1983, his career took a second downturn. With the exception of Faceless and Killer Barbies, his films after 1984 are quite disliked and obscure due to their incredibly low budgets. Franco has nevertheless retained a large cult following through the years with his sexually-charged horror films, some of which are regarded as masterpieces by his avid followers.
Filmography
Shining Sex TBA
Director
- Juliette
Juliette TBA
Director
Fly Story TBA
Director
- El misterio del castillo rojo
El misterio del castillo rojo TBA
Actor, Director
Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada “S” 2024
as Self - Archive footage
Inferno Rosso: Joe D'Amato on the Road of Excess 2021
as Self (archive footage)
Wild Session 2019
as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
Drácula Barcelona 2017
as Himself
Soledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert 2015
as Himself (archive footage)
Queridos monstruos 2014
as Self
Call Me Jess Redux 2014
as Himself
Clawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror 2014
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Falks Frauen
Falks Frauen 2014
as (archive footage)
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies 2013
as Himself, Writer, Director
La última película de Jess Franco 2013
as Self
The Rhythm of Jess 2013
as Self
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies 2013
as The Director, Director, Writer, Music, Editor, Producer
- Los profundos sueños de Jennifer
Los profundos sueños de Jennifer 2013
as Voz
Tío Jess 2012
as Self
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II 2012
Director, Producer, Writer, Editor
La cripta de las condenadas 2012
Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, Original Music Composer
Debris Documentar 2012
as Himself
- Macumba sexual: Voodoo Jess
Macumba sexual: Voodoo Jess 2010
as Self
Paula-Paula 2010
Director, Special Effects, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Dialogue, Editor
Por la gracia de Luis 2009
as Himself
Idoru 2009
Actor
Coffins of Light 2009
as himself
- Take-Away Spirit
Take-Away Spirit 2009
as J.W. Radek, Additional Dialogue
A Bad Day at the Cemetery 2008
Screenplay, Director
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler 2008
as Padre del Dr. Weissman
Vampyros Lesbos 2008
Story
Jesús Franco, manera de vivir 2007
as Himself
- Beloved Count
Beloved Count 2007
as Self
Angel of Death 2: The Prison Island Massacre 2007
as Pete
- Lascivia
Lascivia 2007
Director
- Bloody Jess
Bloody Jess 2007
as Self
Montes de Venus 2006
Director
Snakewoman 2005
Writer, Original Music Composer, Director
Ban the Sadist Videos! 2005
as Self
Jess Franco's Passion 2005
Director, Writer
Jess Franco's Perversion 2005
Writer, Director
The Well 2005
Actor
- Jess' Women
Jess' Women 2005
as self
Jesús in Furs 2005
as Himself
- See you later Cowabunga: La maldición del cenachero diabólico!
See you later Cowabunga: La maldición del cenachero diabólico! 2004
Actor
- On the Threshold to Another World
On the Threshold to Another World 2003
as Himself
Death Karate in Torremolinos 2003
as Miyagi
Red Venice 2003
as Jess Franco
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula 2002
Director, Story, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
- Perversion Stories
Perversion Stories 2002
as Self
Incubus 2002
Director, Writer
- Antena Criminal: Making a Jess Franco Movie
Antena Criminal: Making a Jess Franco Movie 2002
as Himself
Journey into Perversion 2001
as Himself
Vampire Junction 2001
Original Music Composer, Director, Writer
Orson Welles in the Land of Don Quixote 2000
as Self
Call Him Jess 2000
as Himself
Helter Skelter 2000
Director, Original Music Composer, Writer
Blind Target 2000
Director, Original Music Composer
Red Silk 1999
Screenplay, Director
Broken Dolls 1999
Director, Writer
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell 1999
as Dr. James Wong, Original Music Composer, Director, Writer
Vampire Blues 1999
as The Merchant, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula 1998
Producer, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
Lust for Frankenstein 1998
Producer, Director, Screenplay, Music
Tender Flesh 1997
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
Vampire Killer Barbys 1996
Director, Writer
Downtown Heat 1994
Director, Producer, Screenplay
- Jungle of Fear
Jungle of Fear 1993
Director, Executive Producer
Don Quixote 1992
Editor, Supervising Film Editor, Dialogue
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa 1992
Actor, Director, Editor, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
- In Pursuit of Barbara
In Pursuit of Barbara 1991
Director
Mondo Weirdo 1990
Thanks
Night of the Eagles 1989
Screenplay, Director, Editor, Art Direction
Esmeralda Bay 1989
as Boat Captain, Producer, Director, Writer
Flesh-Eating Mothers 1988
as Policeman
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil 1988
Producer, Editor, Director, Writer
Esa cosa con plumas 1988
Actor
Faceless 1988
Director, Writer
Slave of Crime 1987
Original Music Composer, Editor, Director, Screenplay
Falo Crest 1987
Cinematography, Writer, Director
Trapped Women 1987
Director, Screenplay, Editor
¡Biba la banda! 1987
Costumer
Thong Girls 1987
Writer, Director, Editor, Screenplay
Phollastía 1987
Story, Director, Director of Photography
Golden Temple Amazons 1986
Producer, Director
Para las nenas, leche calentita 1986
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Story
Alone Against Terror 1986
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
Entre pitos anda el juego 1986
Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist 1986
Director, Writer
Lulu's Talking Ass 1986
Director, Screenplay, Story, Original Music Composer
- Las chuponas
Las chuponas 1986
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Fury in the Tropics 1986
Director, Director of Photography, Writer, Original Music Composer
- Sida, la peste del siglo XX
Sida, la peste del siglo XX 1986
Director, Screenplay, Editor
The Last from Philippines 1986
Producer, Director, Editor, Director of Photography, Story
Girl with the Red Lips 1986
as Professor Karame, Original Music Composer, Director, Director of Photography, Screenplay
Angel of Death 1985
Director, Screenplay
- Un pito para tres
Un pito para tres 1985
Screenplay, Story, Editor, Director
Dirty Game in Casablanca 1985
Director, Producer
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included 1985
as Rose Hotel's recepcionist (uncredited), Director, Screenplay, Producer, Music
Bangkok, Date with Death 1985
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director, Editor
White Jungle Slave 1985
Director, Music
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong 1985
as Dr. Wong, Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer
The Sexual Story of O 1984
Screenplay, Editor, Producer, Director
A Crack for Two 1984
as Tom, Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin 1984
as Bernardo, Director, Screenplay, Editor
The Sinister Doctor Orloff 1984
as Manolo, Director, Music, Screenplay
How Much Does a Spy Make? 1984
Director, Writer, Producer
Night Has a Thousand Desires 1984
as Psychiatrist (uncredited), Director, Writer, Music, Director of Photography
Lonely Road 1984
as Doctor Callman, Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Bahia Blanca 1984
as The Miseries (uncredited), Writer, Story, Producer, Screenplay, Director
Macumba Sexual 1983
as Recepcionist, Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Story, Music
The Hotel of Love Affairs 1983
Director, Editor, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
Cries of Pleasure 1983
Editor, Director, Art Direction, Writer
The House of Lost Women 1983
Screenplay, Director, Editor
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist 1983
Director, Music
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro 1983
Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Producer, Original Music Composer
Cecilia 1983
Writer, Producer, Director
Revenge in the House of Usher 1983
Producer, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
The Night Of Open Sex 1983
as Count, Novel, Adaptation, Director, Director of Photography, Music
Black Boots, Leather Whip 1983
as Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited), Editor, Director, Music, Writer
Claire 1983
Director
- Voces de muerte
Voces de muerte 1983
Director, Screenplay
- The Bizarre World of Jess Franco
The Bizarre World of Jess Franco 1983
as Self
Blood on My Shoes 1983
as Abductor, Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
The Blues of Pop Street 1983
as Sam Chesterfield, Original Music Composer, Screenplay, Director, Director of Photography
En busca del dragón dorado 1983
as Blind Old Man, Original Music Composer, Screenplay, Director, Editor
Mansion of the Living Dead 1982
Original Music Composer, Director, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Editor, Novel
Oasis of the Zombies 1982
Director, Screenplay, Editor, Original Music Composer
Lake of the Virgins 1982
Original Music Composer, Director, Editor, Writer
- El huésped de la niebla
El huésped de la niebla 1982
Director, Director of Photography, Original Music Composer
The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle 1982
Director, Editor, Screenplay
Pick-Up Girls 1981
Screenplay, Editor, Original Music Composer, Director
Jailhouse Wardress 1981
as Uncle Jess, Director
Lola 2000 1981
Director
The Story of Linda 1981
Director
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman 1981
Writer, Music, Director
Zombie Lake 1981
Writer
The Girls of the Copacabana 1981
Screenplay, Story, Director
Bloody Moon 1981
as Doctor (uncredited), Director
Sadomania 1981
as Lucas, Director, Screenplay, Music, Editor
Sex Is Crazy 1981
as Film Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
Devil Hunter 1980
Director, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
Cannibal Terror 1980
Writer
White Cannibal Queen 1980
as Mr. Martin, Director, Writer
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie 1980
Writer, Director
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties 1980
Director, Screenplay, Story, Original Music Composer
Erotic Symphony 1980
Director, Writer
What a Honeymoon 1980
as Dying Man (uncredited), Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
Justine and the Whip 1979
as Strange Guy, Director, Writer, Cinematography
Convoy of Girls 1979
Writer, Director
The Sadist of Notre Dame 1979
as Mathis Vogel, Director, Writer
Burning Up Inside 1979
Writer, Director
They Do Everything 1979
Director, Writer
Obscene Desire 1978
Music
Cocktail spécial 1978
Director
Women in Cellblock 9 1978
Screenplay, Director
Women Without Innocence 1978
Director, Writer
Call of the Blonde Goddess 1977
Director, Writer
Love Camp 1977
Director
Sexy Sisters 1977
Director
Blue Rita 1977
Director, Writer
Slaves 1977
as Radeck's Assistant, Director
Kiss Me Killer 1977
as Marcel, Director, Writer
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun 1977
Director
Greta, the Mad Butcher 1977
as Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco), Writer, Director
Doriana Grey 1977
Director, Writer, Cinematography
Silence of the Grave 1976
Director, Producer, Screenplay
Around the World in 80 Beds 1976
Director
Jack the Ripper 1976
Screenplay, Director
Shining Sex 1976
as Dr. Seward, Director, Story
Girls in the Night Traffic 1976
Director
White Skin Black Thighs 1976
as Graf Anastasio, Screenplay, Director of Photography, Director
Downtown 1976
as Al Pereira, Director, Writer, Director of Photography
The Troublemakers 1976
Actor, Director, Screenplay
Ladies House of Pleasure 1976
Actor
Barbed Wire Dolls 1976
as Maria's Father (uncredited), Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Golden Jail 1976
Director
Midnight Party 1976
as Janos Radeck, Director, Writer
Countess Perverse 1975
Writer, Director
Rolls-Royce Baby 1975
Director
Exorcism 1975
as Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue, Director, Screenplay
The Ticklish Ones 1975
Story, Director
The Hot Nights of Linda 1975
as Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck), Screenplay, Director, Story
Sexy Erotic Job 1975
Director
A Virgin for St. Tropez 1975
Director
Sexorcismes 1975
as Mathis Vogel, Director, Adaptation, Dialogue, Writer
Women Behind Bars 1975
as Bill, Director, Editor, Director of Photography
Lorna, the Exorcist 1974
as Doctor (uncredited), Writer, Director
Celestine 1974
as Sleeping Man, Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Night of the Skull 1974
as Andy, Director, Screenplay
The House of the Lost Dolls 1974
Screenplay
How to Seduce a Virgin 1974
Director, Writer
The Lustful Amazons 1974
Screenplay, Director
The Greedy Ones 1974
Director, Screenplay
Dolls for Sale 1973
Actor, Director
A Virgin Among the Living Dead 1973
as Basilio, Director, Writer
Lovers of Devil's Island 1973
Director, Story, Screenplay
The Other Side of the Mirror 1973
as Roger (uncredited), Screenplay, Director
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac 1973
as Inspecteur Hernandez, Director, Scenario Writer
Female Vampire 1973
as Dr. Roberts, Writer, Editor, Director, Director of Photography
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein 1973
as Morpho, Director, Screenplay, Story
Fifteen Year Old Captain 1973
Director, Writer, Music
Eugenie de Sade 1973
as Attila Tanner, Writer, Director
The Demons 1973
Writer, Director
Nightmares Come at Night 1973
Director, Writer
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle 1973
Director, Writer
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff 1973
as Lord Comfort (uncredited), Director, Screenplay
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse 1972
as Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub, Director, Original Music Composer, Screenplay
Daughter of Dracula 1972
as Cyril Jefferson, Director, Writer
Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein 1972
Screenplay, Story, Director
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves 1972
as Director, Director
The Corpse Packs His Bags 1972
as Gonzales, Screenplay, Director
Vampir Cuadecuc 1972
as Self
Virgin Report 1972
Director
She Killed in Ecstasy 1971
as Dr. Donen, Writer, Director
X312 - Flight to Hell 1971
as Man at John Somers', Director, Screenplay
Vampyros Lesbos 1971
as Memmet, Director, Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Special Effects Makeup Artist
The Devil Came from Akasava 1971
as Tino Celli, Director
Cuadrilátero 1970
Music
Count Dracula 1970
as Van Helsing's servant (uncredited), Director, Screenplay
Eugenie... The Story of Her Journey into Perversion 1970
as Man in Red Ritual Scene (uncredited), Director
The Bloody Judge 1970
Director, Adaptation
Your Caresses 1969
Actor
Venus in Furs 1969
as Jazz Musician (uncredited), Writer, Director, Story
The Castle of Fu Manchu 1969
as Insp. Ahmet, Director
Marquis de Sade: Justine 1969
Actor, Director
Two Undercover Angels 1969
as Napoleon Bolivard, Screenplay, Director
Kiss Me Monster 1969
as Abilene's Contact Man (uncredited), Idea, Director, Screenplay
The Girl from Rio 1969
as Guitar Player, Director
99 Women 1969
as Official (uncredited), Story, Director, Screenplay
A Man, Eight Girls 1968
Director
The Blood of Fu Manchu 1968
Actor, Director, Story, Screenplay
Castle of the Creeping Flesh 1968
Story
Succubus 1968
as Writer, Director
Residence for Spies 1968
as Casino Piano Player (uncredited), Director, Writer
Lucky, the Inscrutable 1967
as Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista, Director, Screenplay
The Diabolical Dr. Z 1966
as Inspector Tanner, Screenplay, Director
Attack of the Robots 1966
as Piano Player, as Pianist (uncredited), Director, Screenplay
Chimes at Midnight 1965
Second Unit Director, Second Unit
Dr. Orloff's Monster 1965
as Piano Player, Director, Dialogue, Screenplay
Rififi in the City 1964
Director, Writer
Strange Voyage 1964
as Don Venancio
Death Whistles the Blues 1964
as Saxofonista en Club de Nueva Orleans (uncredited), Director, Screenplay
Jaguar 1963
Director, Story
55 Days at Peking 1963
Assistant Production Manager
Zorro the Avenger 1962
Story, Screenplay
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus 1962
Director, Screenplay, Story
The Awful Dr. Orlof 1962
as Pianist (uncredited), Director, Story, Screenplay
Vampiresas 1930 1962
Director, Screenplay
Queen of the Tabarin Club 1960
Director, Dialogue
Ama Rosa 1960
Writer
- El destierro del Cid
El destierro del Cid 1960
Director
- Estampas guipuzcoanas número 2: Pío Baroja
Estampas guipuzcoanas número 2: Pío Baroja 1960
Director
Red Lips 1960
Screenplay, Director
We Are 18 Years Old 1959
Director, Writer, Original Music Composer
Llegaron los franceses 1959
Writer
- Las playas vacías
Las playas vacías 1959
Director, Screenplay
- Oro español
Oro español 1959
Screenplay, Original Music Composer, Director
Anna Said Yes 1958
as Pianista (uncredited), Delegated Producer
Historias de Madrid 1958
Assistant Director, Music
Fulano y Mengano 1957
Screenplay, Assistant Director
El hombre que viajaba despacito 1957
Music, Assistant Director
The Tree from Spain 1957
Screenplay, Director, Original Music Composer
The Mysterious Melody AKA Ce soir les souris dansent 1956
Writer
Around the World in 80 Days 1956
as Extra (uncredited)
The Coyote's Justice 1956
Screenstory, Lyricist, Screenplay, Dialogue, Adaptation, Assistant Director
Death of a Cyclist 1955
Assistant Director
The Coyote 1955
Adaptation, Dialogue, Lyricist, Screenplay, Assistant Director
Merry Christmas 1954
Assistant Director
Comedians 1954
Script Supervisor, Original Music Composer
Credits from TMDB.