6. The Nuns of St Archangel (1973)
Apparently based on true events that happened in 16th century Naples (then under Spanish rule), the film charts the power games and sexual shenanigans of a group of nuns in the St Archangelo convent. Sister Julia in particular is a nasty piece of work who will do anything to succeed as the next Mother Superior. The nuns give into their sexual whims - taking male lovers or reverting to lesbianism. Anticipating a large donation, the church launches an investigation into miscreant behaviour among the nuns and the Inquisition uncovers a lot of naughtiness. The nuns are then stripped naked and tortured and the twisted Sister Julia receives her comeuppance at last. The Nuns of St Archangel is actually a pretty good film and the nudity is restrained for a nunsploitation flick. Anne Heywood (a former Miss UK) as Sister Julia Keeps her clothes on and so does a young Ornella Muti which is rather disappointing. The film does a fabulous job of evoking the atmosphere of the Middle Ages but it is more anti-clerical - determined to suss out moral and political corruption within the St Archangelo convent. There are a lot of wicked people in the film who have a pious facade. Whenever the Cardinal is torturing the women he looks like he is about to explode with pleasure. The film is an engrossing look at the relationship and sexual dynamics of the nuns. But if you want an all-out nun nudity and sleaze nunsploitation flick, you would have to look elsewhere on the list.