Why Can't These Ladies Stay Out Of Prison?

TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL CONTINUES (1975)
D. KOYU OHARA

SYNAPSE/ IMPULSE PICTURES

2.35

This sequel to Nikkatsu's TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL is really just more of the same. Hijinks in a woman's prison, with plenty of bare skin, some sex and a healthy dose of unpleasant violence to keep things moving. And a really funky score too.

The movie is structurally the same as its predecessor. A group of young women enter the prison, emotionally unprepared for the violence and struggle ahead of them. They are immediately sexually abused by the other inmates. But lucky for them MAYUMI is out of solitary confinement. Mayumi does not suffer fools lightly and starts several extended fights to protect the young fish in the tank. Soon we see there is more going on here than just rehabilitation. A guard takes photos as the gang sexually assault the fresh meat, a young girl wanted for shop lifting. These photos play a large role in forcing her to be sold to the Yakuza and become a prostitute. Meanwhile back inside the prison Mayumi has managed to gain some respect and through flashbacks we learn that she killed a man who raped her and her mother in a field. But will she go on a killing spree again?

Like all the Nikkatsu films this is exceedingly well made, it is no slouch of a production. But it feels unfocused and messy sometimes as the narrative switches back to her past and the sins Mayumi is responsible for. The whole rape flashback feels awkward because we are not too sure the characters we are seeing. Her mother and the guys make an appearance later in the film though.

There is plenty to recommend though, including a side plot about the transsexual inmate, or how the head guard gets another girl pregnant, leading to a violent forced miscarriage. There is a nude catfight in the baths that is sure to put a smile on the face of any sleaze fan as well.

TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL CONTINUES is worthwhile, but not groundbreaking like some of the other Nikkatsu titles Synapse/Impulse has released so far. The movie gets in there and is very functional, with sex scenes every five or ten minute, punctuating that with violence. It is a fun movie but not the peak of the Nikkatsu releases. 

Review © Andrew Copp

Hunting the Ladies the Franco Way...

COUNTESS PERVERSE aka 

La comtesse perverse

(1974)
D. JESS FRANCO
MONDO MACABRO
1.33

This is meastro Franco's take on THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME by way DE SADE with his usual helpings of nude ladies and spread open legs. It is also from that early 70's era when he was regulary cranking out some of his best work. Just think this came out the same year as THE FEMALE VAMPIRE. 

The story opens when a mod looking couple (Tania Bussellier and Robert Woods)  find a nude woman washed up on their beach (Kali Hansa). She is delerious and tells them of being taken to an island run by the Countess (Alice Arno) where she was seduced by both her and her husband (Howard Vernon) before being taken captive. There are strong hints of cannibalism in her story. But we soon realize it was indeed this couple that procured this woman for the Countess in the first place.

Soon they have a new victim played by the much missed Lina Romay, they are seducing and taking to the island. It is only a matter of time before she is introduced to shady, voyeuristic sex games, raw human meat eating and finally nude hunting through the jungle.

Though still somewhat languidly paced (it IS Franco after all) this is one of the better of his films. The thing is impeccably shot, has gorgeous scenery and art design (the Countess house is right out if an Escher drawing), the sex is actually fairly hot and the final hunt entertaining in a very preposterous way. 


But watching this I finally realized why I enjoy even the worst Franco films (and this is Not one of those by a long shot) and that is he clearly is so happy to be directing his perversions on screen. The dirtier the stuff he is presenting the better the film seems the be, and it comes across in the very cinematic  language he uses. He is a man comfortable presenting his perversions to you the veiwer and I for one end up appreciating that enthusiasm. No matter how bad his films may get, his raw, perverted passion wins me over. Though that says way more about me than Franco as a filmmaker.

The Mondo Macabro dvd is gorgeous. Richly colored and textured with good subtitles. The print is almost flawless. The extras are very worthwhile but to no one's surprise the interview with author Stephen Thrower is my stand out recomendation. Thrower is currently writing the definative book on Franco and he delves in pretty hardcore in the details of this film and just the era it was made.

A must own for any Franco-phile.

Review © Andrew Copp