Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (Joshuu sasori: Dai-41 zakkyo-bô) (1972)

85% of users liked it
(678 ratings)

The second in a series of exploitation films based on a Japanese adult manga magazine, this over-the-top jailbreak movie pits the silent-but-deadly Scorpion (Meiko Kaji) against a sadistic warden and other adversaries. As the film begins, Scorpion is shackled in an underground solitary confinement… More The second in a series of exploitation films based on a Japanese adult manga magazine, this over-the-top jailbreak movie pits the silent-but-deadly Scorpion (Meiko Kaji) against a sadistic warden and other adversaries. As the film begins, Scorpion is shackled in an underground solitary confinement cell. She sharpens a spoon, which she holds in her mouth, by scraping it repeatedly against the damp, dirty floor. Then the warden has her dragged to the yard to present a positive image of the prison to a visiting dignitary. Scorpion seizes this opportunity to attack the warden and incite a riot. The warden punishes the women by placing them on a tough work detail and instructs four guards to rape Scorpion. His plan to turn the women against her appears to be working when several inmates assault Scorpion while they are being transported in a van; but when the guards check the van, they are overtaken by Scorpion and the other women. As they flee from the law, the escapees find a village that's nearly buried in volcanic ash; a mysterious old woman with a knife who reveals their backstories; and a tour bus with rapists who kill one of the women. The women hijack the bus, but the police continue to pursue them and force a showdown. ~ Todd Kristel, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Shunya Ito
Written By: Tooru Shinohara
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2000

Critic Reviews

Anton Bitel, Eye for Film
when it comes to genre, Ito, like his protagonist, just will not be confined or restrained, making Jailhouse 41 as aesthetically striking and deliriously weird a WIP pic as is ever likely to be made.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Kaji is so sinister, she utters fewer words than even Arnold Schwarznegger's Terminator.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tsubaki S

It wouldn't be crazy to say this might be the greatest WIP film ever made. Ito is aware of how by-the-numbers the genre can be, and decides to approach this as a surreal nightmare. It makes the first film almost looke like an Ozu movie. You don't even have to see the first… More
It wouldn't be crazy to say this might be the greatest WIP film ever made. Ito is aware of how by-the-numbers the genre can be, and decides to approach this as a surreal nightmare. It makes the first film almost looke like an Ozu movie. You don't even have to see the first one to enjoy this one, but it certainly helps, just to give Kaji's character a bit of background.
Anthony L

Jailhouse 41 follows on from the first film along a similar thread, the biggest difference being that most of the film takes part outside of prison. Another big difference is that it's steeped in references to Japanese folk-law. It's certainly quite surreal in places, with… More
Jailhouse 41 follows on from the first film along a similar thread, the biggest difference being that most of the film takes part outside of prison. Another big difference is that it's steeped in references to Japanese folk-law. It's certainly quite surreal in places, with an ever present spiritual message. All the usual bad taste exploitation is present, just slightly toned down it seems but just as beautiful visually. Please note, this is the second film of the series, the date on flixster is wrong!
Christopher B

The greatest WIP film ever made. So good that it completely trancends the genre. Plus, Meiko Kaji is beautiful, yet truly scary at the same time, something many Hollywood actresses have been trying to accomplish, but few have succeeded, Her performance is great in this stylish and… More
The greatest WIP film ever made. So good that it completely trancends the genre. Plus, Meiko Kaji is beautiful, yet truly scary at the same time, something many Hollywood actresses have been trying to accomplish, but few have succeeded, Her performance is great in this stylish and gritty film. Quentin Tarantino used Meiko Kaiji's excellent theme song for this in Kill Bill.

Cast

Meiko Kaji
as Scorpion
Kayoko Shiraishi
as Oba
Fumio Watanabe
as Inspector Goda

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Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (Joshuu sasori: Dai-41 zakkyo-bô) (1972)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Tsubaki S

Anthony L

Christopher B

Cast

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