Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Shunya Itō[1] |
Written by |
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Based on | Scorpion by Tōru Shinohara[1] |
Produced by | Kineo Yoshimine[1] |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Hanjiro Nakazawa[1] |
Edited by | Osamu Tanaka[1] |
Music by | Shunsuke Kikuchi[1] |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 87 minutes |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (女囚701号/さそり, Joshū Nana-maru-ichi Gō / Sasori)
The film was followed by several sequels: Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (also released in 1972), Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable, and Female Prisoner Scorpion: 701's Grudge Song (both 1973).
Plot
Nami Matsushima is used as a spy by her first real boyfriend, a police detective named Sugimi, to investigate a
The prison is run by sadistic and lecherous male guards. The prisoners are forced to walk up and down a stair-like contraption naked with male guards watching from below. While incarcerated, Matsushima meets inmates like Yuki Kida, who was convicted for fraud and theft; Otsuka, jailed for burglary and extortion; and Katagiri, who was imprisoned for arson and illegally disposing of a body. Outside the prison, Sugimi and the yakuza orchestrate a plan in which Matsushima will succumb to an "accidental" death in prison.
The conspirators enlist the help of Katagiri and quickly set their plan in motion. Matsushima is attacked in the shower but defends herself, wounding the attacker. She is punished by being held bound by ropes in solitary confinement. A group of trustees, including Katagiri, tortures her; one pours hot soup on her. Matsushima is able to trip the trustee and make her spill the vat of hot soup over herself, causing horrible burns. Matsushima is forced to dig dirt holes for two consecutive days and nights. She kills a woman who attempts to attack her during this digging by tripping her and breaking her neck. In response, Matsushima is hung and tied from the ceiling while being beaten by her fellow prisoners.
After a prison riot, Matsushima escapes and kills Sugimi and all of the yakuza with a dagger. The film ends with Matsushima walking alone back in prison.
Cast
- Meiko Kaji as Nami Matsushima / Matsu the Scorpion
- Rie Yokoyama as Katagiri
- Yayoi Watanabe as Yukiko Kida
- Yōko Mihara as Masaki
- Akemi Negishi as Otsuka
- Keiko Kuni as Nemoto
- Yumiko Katayama as Kito
- Emi Jo as Morikawa
- Isao Natsuyagi as Tsugio Sugimi
- Fumio Watanabe as Warden Goda
Release
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion was released in Japan on 25 August 1972.[1]
Home media
Female Prisoner #701 was first released on DVD for
Reception
From retrospective reviews,
See also
Notes
- ^ Also known as Female Convict 701: Scorpion
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection (book). Arrow Video. 2016. p. 5. FCD1338/AV060.
- ^ "Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion DVD". Blu-ray.com. Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ "Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection". Arrow Films. Arrow Films. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ Sight & Sound. Vol. 17, no. 2. British Film Institute. p. 83.
- ISSN 1070-9991.
- McKnight, Anne (2001). "Female Convict Scorpion --Jailhouse 41". In Patrick Macias (ed.). TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion. San Francisco: Cadence Books. pp. 184–185. ISBN 1-56931-681-3.
- Thompson, Nathaniel (2006) [2002]. "FEMALE CONVICT SCORPION". DVD Delirium: The International Guide to Weird and Wonderful Films on DVD; Volume 1 Redux. ISBN 1-903254-39-6.
External links
- Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion at IMDb
- Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion at AllMovie
- Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion at the Japanese Movie Database (in Japanese)
- "Female Prisoner 701: Scorpion". CinemaScape (in Japanese).