Female Prisoner #701 - Scorpion (1972)

78% of users liked it
(2,888 ratings)

Shunya Ito directed this unusual women's prison film which spawned three direct sequels and a pair of spin-offs. Actress-singer Meiko Kaji, best-known for the "Alleycat Rock" series beginning with Naraneko Rokku: Onna Bancho (1970), stars as Nami, who escapes a prison with her friend Yukiko (Hiroko… More Shunya Ito directed this unusual women's prison film which spawned three direct sequels and a pair of spin-offs. Actress-singer Meiko Kaji, best-known for the "Alleycat Rock" series beginning with Naraneko Rokku: Onna Bancho (1970), stars as Nami, who escapes a prison with her friend Yukiko (Hiroko Ooji). The authorities chase them down and take them to a maximum-security facility where they are tortured severely. While in solitary confinement, Nami remembers her attempted murder of a corrupt vice officer boyfriend on the take. Angered, Nami becomes the vengeful Scorpion, kicking off the series which continued with Joshu Sasori Dai 41 Zakkyobou (1972). Kaji sang the theme song, which went gold in Japan. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Shunya Ito
Genres: Drama, Anime & Manga, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Aug 25, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Apr 27, 2004

Critic Reviews

Rudy Joggerst, Reel.com
...a film that can easily be named as one of the milestones of the genre, not to mention that it exemplifies Japanese exploitation at its best.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Classic exploitation, a little more hardcore than western efforts (Big bird cage etc) but for all it's depravity, it's stunningly beautiful! Meiko Kaji is a cult hero and Shunya Ito is a true artist, albeit a misunderstood (and slightly unhinged) one.
Drew S

A visceral, energetic film that straddles a dangerous line between art and exploitation. It's schlocky and poorly made, but you can't help but get behind Nami and her warped quest for revenge anyway. She's absolutely ridiculous - her prodigious use of knives, silence… More
A visceral, energetic film that straddles a dangerous line between art and exploitation. It's schlocky and poorly made, but you can't help but get behind Nami and her warped quest for revenge anyway. She's absolutely ridiculous - her prodigious use of knives, silence and deceptive lesbian sex make for a desperate yet strangely appealing protagonist. Meiko Kaji has exactly one look, sure, but do you really need anything more? Homegirl is fierce. Anyway, I'm definitely inexperienced in the women's prison subgenre of film, but I know that it's essentially softcore bullshit. What's magical about Female Prisoner 701 is that it fuses the softcore bullshit with some surprisingly effective seriousness. If you're into revenge films, boobs and knife violence, and have a high tolerance for poor filmmaking versus ideas and energy, then there's no reason for you not to see this movie.
Stella D

a minor classic of trashy exploitation and offshoot of the 'pink' soft-core porn genre. the film melds revenge thriller with women in prison, using artsy effects while wallowing in rape, torture and lesbian sex. the first in a series starring meiko kaji as scorpion, a year… More
a minor classic of trashy exploitation and offshoot of the 'pink' soft-core porn genre. the film melds revenge thriller with women in prison, using artsy effects while wallowing in rape, torture and lesbian sex. the first in a series starring meiko kaji as scorpion, a year before she played lady snowblood in a much classier film. both were major influences on tarantino's kill bill. alternately funny and shocking

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Female Prisoner #701 - Scorpion (1972)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Drew S

Stella D

Cast

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