Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (aka Joshuu 701-go: Sasori) movie review

by Chris   ⋅   July 21, 2005   ⋅   Comment now   ⋅    RSS

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion is the first film in the Scorpion trilogy, as well as the first film by director Shunya Ito. Based on the manga of the same name, The story follows Nami Matsushima (Meiko Kaji), the fiercest inmate in the Japanese women’s prison system, and for that matter, all women in prison films. Having been used as bait for wanted yakuza scumbags by her first and only love, a hotshot police detective, Matsu sought revenge. Taking matters into her own hands, she attempts to kill her former lover and lands herself in her current state of affairs. Tormented by both sadistic guards and jealous women, Matsu endures physical and mental punishment the likes of which would make even Cool Hand Luke cry. Driven solely by the thought of revenge Matsu waits for her chance to escape and see her vengeance fulfilled.

I had originally seen Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41, the followup to this film, a few years back. I remember the film had a mixture of disturbing violence, raw sexuality, an attractive leading lady that proved far tougher than Pam Grier, and a cinematic beauty completely alien to the other films in its genre. Much like the second entry, this film excels above other WIP films with the same, pure, visual panache. Combining theatrical spot-lighting, sliding “trapdoor” sets, and fluid camera movements. The film is a visual feast. In one sequence Matsu smashes a woman’s face through a glass pane of a door. The woman clutches her bloodied face, and when she drops her hands she reveals a painted, near-demonic face, the likes of which you would see in kabuki theatre, and proceeds to chase Matsu through the scenery. Even Matsu’s abuses are all the more disturbing due to a swirling, diving camera. When Matsu is raped by yakuza, due to the aforementioned ex, the camera is positioned under the floor and behind her shoulders; the glass floor ensuring you see the loathsome act exactly as she would.

And there’s the star, and cult icon, Meiko Kaji. Kaji, who went on to make two more Scorpion films, as well as star in the fan favorite Lady Snowblood series, absolutely owns the Scorpion role. Though she barely speaks through the course of the film, the woman has an intrinsic intensity that is both frightening and alluring at exactly the same time. And lack of lines aside, she does possess a strong singing voice, as evidenced in the film’s catchy theme song.

But just because it’s arty doesn’t mean it’s a pretentious meditation on the evils of the women’s prison system. This is a down and dirty exploitation film, the kind that merits a full price ticket for a midnight showing in a run down theater on the bad side of town. Only in a male fantasy world would the women, consumed by a sex-starved frenzy and having gained control of the prison, rape the male guards they hold hostage. There are breast and panty shots and catfights aplenty. In one scene Matsu seduces another inmate she suspects wants information, turning the “hardened criminal” into an instant lipstick lesbian–the 90 second scene proving far more erotic than the entirety of Bertolucci’s The Dreamers. Nearly every “strange” Japanese fetish is explored, and those that aren’t are featured in the sequel–well, those that can be shown without delving into the realm of hardcore pornography (sorry, Tom Brokaw).

While other films have been made in offshoot scorpion series (see: Scorpion’s Revenge, and the Scorpion Double Venom double feature dvd from Tokyo Shock) this one, is the one to watch. A mixture of high art and lowbrow exploitation sensibilities, this film is a true genre classic. If you’re a cult film fan, or a fan of Japanese cinema, you owe it to yourself to watch it. And, if you dig it, check out the sequel. You won’t be disappointed.

About the Author:

Chris Nelson has been an avid film fan since the age of six. His all-time splatter favorites (”samurai” and otherwise) include Lady Snowblood, Evil Dead 2, Re-Animator and Razorback.

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