Watch Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion from 1972 is a classic Japanese exploitation film directed by Shunya Ito and starring Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, and Yayoi Watanabe. The film tells the story of Nami Matsushima (Meiko Kaji), a young woman who is wrongly accused of murder and sent to a brutal women's prison. There, she is subjected to a series of tortures and humiliations by the sadistic guards and fellow inmates. But Nami is not one to be broken so easily, and she plots her revenge against those who have wronged her.

The movie starts with Nami Matsushima being betrayed by her lover and then framed for murder. During her trial, her attorney advises her to plead guilty, as her parole will be shortened. However, Nami proclaims her innocence and receives a very harsh sentence: life imprisonment with her fate tied to her legal appeal. She is then transported to a brutal women's prison, where she is subjected to the sadistic whims of the guards and other prisoners.

The conditions in the women's prison are deplorable, with women beaten, raped and humiliated on a daily basis. The guards are corrupt and violent, with one of the most sadistic being the sadistic warden, who takes pleasure in torturing inmates. Nami, however, does not go down without a fight. She refuses to be broken by the brutal regime and plots her revenge. With the help of some loyal inmates, she escapes and sets her sights on revenge against those who wronged her.

The movie is extremely well made, with great direction, cinematography, and acting. Meiko Kaji is brilliant as Nami Matsushima. She is tough, fearless, and unbreakable, even in the face of extreme torture and abuse. Kaji's performance is nuanced and emotional, and she manages to convey the character's pain and suffering effectively without ever losing her trademark toughness.

The other actors also put in excellent performances, especially Rie Yokoyama and Yayoi Watanabe. Yokoyama plays Yuki, a fellow inmate and Nami's only friend in prison. She is also tortured and abused by the guards and is sympathetic to Nami's plight. Yayoi Watanabe plays Matsu, the prison's top dog and the one who is responsible for many of the torments that Nami endures. Watanabe is excellent in the role, conveying the character's power and cruelty to great effect.

The movie is visually stunning, with great attention paid to the set design and costumes. The prison is dark and oppressive, with the walls covered in graffiti and the cells cramped and filthy. The guards wear black uniforms and carry sticks, giving them an almost Nazi-like appearance. In contrast, the inmates wear white jumpsuits, emphasizing their vulnerability and powerlessness.

Overall, Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion is a harrowing and brutal film that showcases the strength and resilience of its female protagonist. The movie is a classic of the exploitation genre and is highly recommended for fans of the genre or anyone who enjoys action-packed, revenge-driven movies.

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion is a 1972 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.