Scott LeBrun The second film in a series of Japanese exploitation features, this regales us with the further adventures of a sexy young female convict named Matsu (Meiko Kaji), who's earned the nickname "Scorpion", as well as awe and admiration from her fellow prisoners. One day, she and six others are being transported, and they seize a chance for escape.More of a "criminals on the run" picture than a "women in prison" feature, this is wonderfully trashy, with depravity and gore galore. (Although the unaware should know there isn't much nudity, and it's largely male nudity.) The seven gals on the run are an interesting bunch, and in one musical sequence, we learn the nature of their crimes, and see that they're not all THAT bad, most of them, and garner more sympathy than their lawmen nemeses. Their tale is somewhat episodic, as, among other things, they encounter a sickly old woman, come across an abandoned settlement, take a bus full of hostages, and attempt to punish some horny tourists / rapists.This is a very stylish film, and people will marvel at the sharp "dutch angles" used by the filmmakers, and the various oppressive visuals. The finale, in particular, taking place on a garbage heap, deserves credit for being rather unusual. Director Shun'ya Ito proves to be a master of atmosphere right from the beginning, as we see what it is like for Matsu as she does her time in solitary. The music by Shunsuke Kikuchi is also noteworthy, as it is accompanied by plaintive singing.The acting is right on the money, with gorgeous Kaji making for a compelling central figure, stoic and already hardened by experience. She does receive some heavy competition from some of her co-stars, though.Certain to appeal to cult film fans for its balancing act of arty and trashy elements.Eight out of 10.

vergeoflight Is this yet another sleazy Japanese exploitation film or was it secretly directed by Nagisa Ôshima under the influence of LSD? You be the judge. Bizarre oneiric interludes and crazy camerawork abound in "Jailhouse 41," the standout of the four part "Scorpion" film series. It is also, what I believe to be, the best action movie to ever come out of Japan.

GyatsoLa I saw the first one of this series in the cinema, this one on DVD. Inevitably, something is lost on the small screen, but it is still an amazing piece of cinema, a rare example of a sequel better than the original. While the first movie was gloriously over the top in its depiction of women in prison, the sequel has a more straightforward narrative with less obvious sex and violence and is obviously influenced by Suzuki with its abstract dream sequences and deliberately stage settings.I was very skeptical of claims that the first movie was 'feminist' - i thought it just reveled in showing sexy women do crazy things. But this movie is more overtly political. Its a rare thing in a Japanese movie to refer to Japanese war crimes, but it bluntly shows a bunch of dimwitted war vets boasting about raping Chinese women in Manchuria.This movie is one of the high points for me of Japanese commercial cinema - gloriously over the top, sexy, outrageous, cinematically stylish and daring and still deeply satirical and intelligent. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

Splattii While watching this film the same thought kept going through my mind over and over during the last 20-30 minutes or so....This is so Tarintoesque..... The cinematography, camera shots...music selection...it was dead on Tarentino. I think what I found even more interesting is the fact they used electric guitars given it a spaghetti western feel, and basically giving me flashbacks of Kill Bill 2. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing like the Kill Bill series in terms of plot or story, it's just the whole look and feel. There was one scene in particular in which the camera transition made me feel like I was having De Ja Vu...I'm curious if it's the same transition mentioned in a previous comment.Outside of that, I thought this movie was rather entertaining. The soundtrack (although distorted) was nice and fit the mood well. I've seen my share of female prison films, and like most before me said it's probably the most interesting of the lot. I've seen a lot of violent films also, and although I didn't expect much the graphic scenes were a bit funny as opposed to grotesque. The blood was faker than fake, but by no means did it ruin the film...