Ken Russell's The Devils probably is the film that kickstarted this genre, although, I don't know if I would consider it apart of the genre, per se. It certainly contains many of the integral ingredients, but it does not really focus on the nuns.

So, other than that, I will champion Flavia the Heretic. I just rewatched it on blu-ray this morning and wow, this one packs a wallop. The film shifts between bleak and brutal, and sensual and touching, and then back again so effortlessly. It's beautifully lensed and incorporates nice surrealist tendencies. I highly recommend it, its definitely a far more intelligent, thoughtful film than your typical nunsploitation.

Some honorable mentions would include Jess Franco's Demons, The Killer Nun (with Anita Eckberg!!), and Runie's Confession (Japanese nunsploitaton!).

Nuns on the Run (1990).

I agree with "Flavia" as far as a SERIOUS nun flick. As far as pure exploitation value, I'd say "Alucarda" ot "Love Letters of a Portugese Nun"

The Devils is no exploitation movie. It's an arthouse film, and a frikkin' excellent one.

You don't have to tell me. It's my favorite movie. However, there are certainly exploitative tendencies - even if they are just superficially exploitative. Anyway, my point was that it is NOT nunsploitation.

I would also consider Flavia arthouse nut it was made within an exploitation market.

Nude Nuns with Big Guns

It's not my favorite, just one that exists.

or The Killer Nun (2006)

I think I've only seen Nude Nuns with Big Guns, so I guess it's that, by default...

The Sound Of Music

Try School of the Holy Beast, that one is pretty crazy to say the least.

Black Narcissus (1947)

Probably the progenitor of the genre and probably still the best if you discount The Devils. And let's not pretend it isn't "exploitation" simply because it was made nearly 70 years ago.

>>9
Love that movie. Maybe my favorite Powell/Pressburger film.

I was trying to think of that title. I recently recorded it and plan to watch it in the near future, and I remember the synopsis mentioning nuns and romance.

Other than The Devils I would say Interno di un convento (1978). I can't think of many I actually like.

The Church found La religieuse so offensive that it forced the French govt. to ban it for a few years. But it isn't exploitation according to your criteria.

Le monache di Sant'Arcangelo (1973)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070404/

More historical than exploitive, IMDb users who were disappointed that this movie wasn't trashy or lurid have dropped the rating to 5.7, but I give it a 7.

>>14
Sounds great. The same is true for Story of a Cloistered Nun - not a whole lot of exploitation, but a very good drama with exploitation elements.

Abel Ferrara's Ms.45 has a scene where the lady in question dons a nuns habit and blasts away some worthless scumbags.

>>16
How coincidental, I literally just finished this, as in the credits are still playing. Great movie.

Things for me have recently been kinda weird...I was just thinking early yesterday about a comrade of mine that was killed in Vietnam in 1970. He was from Chattanooga. I also purchased the book entitled The Rise of ISIS on the same day. Then I heard on the radio that an ISIS nutjob killed 4 marines in Chattanooga! More coincidence?

Killer Nun, I guess. I'm not too familiar with the genre.