Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

Revenge is sweet!


This is the first film of a Trilogy of 1970’s classic exploitation movies by director Shunya Ito, starring Meiko Kaji, she of ‘Lady Snowblood’ (1973).

This Manga based live action film follows the story of Nami Matsushima (Meiko Kaji), also known as Matsu, the toughest inmate in the women’s prison she is unashamedly thrown. After being set-up by her beloved policeman boyfriend in a police sting on a group of tough Yakuza, Matsu seeks her revenge by attempting to kill her former lover. She fails and is thrown in prison.

What follows is physical and mental torture and punishment by the sadistic guards and jealous women. Matsu though has her mind set on revenge and she bides her time before escaping to exact her vengeance.

Tarantino was wholly influenced by this brilliant series of films. So much so, he was diven to make ‘Kill Bill’ (2004).

The brilliance of these films is in the understanding by the director Ito of how to deliver Manga as live action. There are many moments within the film that are straight out of a comic book and Ito uses simple but effective devices to artistically re-enact this epic Manga story.

Meiko Kaji is one of my all-time favourite protagonists and she delivers her role with glee and a glint in her eye. So iconic is she and such influence this character has had on Japanese culture as well as a global influence, that even now, Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion has heavily influenced Sion Sono’s 2008 ‘Love Exposure’; more than 35 years later.

The films reek of art house as well of the 60’s/ early 70’s. Some exploitation cinema of this era is straight forward film making but Ito manages to give us something rare and powerful and Meiko Kaji makes her portrayal of Scorpion a vitally important and iconic image in modern cinema.