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.

mmushrm Meiko Kaji rocks as the Scorpion.This movie is great. I am watching this in 2011, 39 years after it came out and I am still entertained and think its awesome. Wonder where Tarantino gets his ideas and visuals from? Its movies like these.This movie is a mix of art and exploitation. The visuals and lighting are very well done. Some of the shots made me go "wow". The acting by Kaji aka Matsu/Scorpion is great. She says nothing until the 72minute of the movie and those 6words are the only words she speaks throughout.Story is rather formulaic (especially in 2011) but its a visually good and exciting movie. I highly recommend.

Atavisten In a female prison we have two sides, the sadistic prison wards (men) and the vengeful prisoners (women) and although we know these women must have committed some heinous crimes to be in such a prison we also see that the treatment they get must only result in one thing, revenge! 7 girls manage to escape the prison and their sins are not echoing the 7 deadly sins of the bible, it boils down to crimes of jealousy or hatred for loved ones. This simplifies their motives and they are simple creatures also, but so is the other side. At any rate are few movie heroines unbreakable like these are as they are somehow restoring some justice in a male chauvinist world, those pigs deserve it.Kaji Meiko is as cold as the blade of her butcher knife and is great as mute and tougher than Clint, the others were well cast also, but I could wish for some better acting, in specific from the child killer. Anyway, this is not a Bergman movie.The end result is much more than mere exploitation and visual shock, this is for fans of Dario Argento who also knows who Valerie Solanas is.

Witchfinder General 666 After beginning the brilliant "Sasori" series starring the great Meiko Kaji, with "Joshuu 701-gô: Sasori" in 1972, director Shunya Ito carried on to make this first sequel, "Joshuu Sasori: Dai-41 zakkyo-bô" aka. "Female Convict Scorpion Jailhouse 41", which comes very close to the brilliance of the first part. "Sasori: Jailhouse 41", as it is called where i live, is easily the most surreal of all Sasori films. As the first part, this is THE perfect proof that it is possible to make Exploitation and Art-house cinema at the same time. Brutal and beautiful, sleazy and visually stunning, full of violence as well as full of symbolism, "Jailhouse 41" is another true gem of Exploitation-Art.After disrupting a prison ceremony, which was to impress a government official, Female prisoner 701, Nami Matsushima aka. "Sasori" (Meiko Kaji) is tortured and abused even heavier than usual on behalf of the sadistic Inspector Goda (Fumio Watanbe). Sasori endures the torture with her usual stamina, and takes the first chance to escape with six other female prisoners...As the first film, "Jailhouse 41" is again very violent. This film, however, is by far the most surreal of the entire series. Brutal tortures, murders and rapes are featured as well as visually stunning artistic elements, symbolism, and dream-like sequences. The stunningly beautiful Meiko Kaji is once again brilliant in her role of Sasori, I simply lack the words to express my admiration for this wonderful actress. Fumio Watanbe is also excellent and wonderfully sadistic as Inspector Goda. The rest of the performances are also great, especially the women who play the six other escapees are very good in their roles. As the first part and the sequels to follow, the main theme song is the iconic "Urami-Bushi", which Kaji, who is not only a brilliant actress but also a wonderful singer, sings herself.Personally, I still prefer the first "Sasori" film, and the third part "Joshuu sasori: Kemono-beya" aka. "Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable" (1973), which is arguably the best of them all. However, "Jailhouse 41" is doubtlessly a masterpiece too, and there probably little point in arguing which of these fantastic films is No. 1. The entire "Sasori" series is an absolutely outstanding highlight of exploitation cinema, and "Jailhouse 41" is ingenious in every aspect. This is a must-see for my fellow fans of Exploitation cinema and Art-house cinema alike, and a cinematic highlight that is highly recommendable to all lovers of cult-cinema!