TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL: CONTINUES (DVD Review)

Japan/1975
Directed By: Koyu Ohara
Written By: Koyu Ohara, Akira Momoi
Starring: Kozue Hitomi, Arikawa Mihoko, Yoshii Akiko
Color/70 Minutes/Not Rated

The Film
In this follow up to the previously reviewed True Story Of A Woman In Jail: Sex Hell, Mayumi (our resident badass from the first) is released from solitary confinement and housed in a cell where the other inmates have decided to bully a new, shy girl. Mayumi doesn't tolerate it and stands up against the girls which sets up a series of fights, lesbian sex scenes and torture throughout the movie. At various points some of the guards get in on the nastiness and the Yakuza come in to play with their plots and schemes. All of which also piss off Mayumi and send her in to a violent streak. It all leads to the boiling point of the entire prison losing it's collective cool in the finale. 

There isn't much depth to the plot, just enough to advance the story so that it makes at least a little bit of sense. That isn't to say this is a bad film, director Koyu Ohara, who directed all 3 parts of this series, uses a lot of style and flare. There are more than a few times it seems obvious he was influenced by the Female Convict Scorpion films of 1972 and '73. While Ohara doesn't achieve the level of artistry present in those cult classics, he is able to make good use of the dingy, dark interiors of the prison with some lively direction. The perversity on display in TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL: CONTINUES is astounding, with a bit of a... surprise... for you at one point. If you are a fan of the Women-In-Prison genre this is something you will want to check out. 

 


The Video
The DVD from Impulse Pictures boasts an anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) transfer that looks very nice. Flesh tones look natural and warm while reds really pop. The brighter scenes along city streets are quite striking. 

 

The Audio
The Japanese Mono 2.0 track sounds fine and is free of any outside disturbances like hissing and crackling. The optional English subtitles (newly translated) are spot in in their delivery.

The Extras
You know what this part will say by now, don't you? Only liner notes from Jasper Sharp are included as an extra but at this point you could get a question about the Nikkatsu studio on Final Jeopardy and you'd probably get it right. They're that good.

The Bottom Line
Spine #6 in the Nikkatsu Erotic Thriller line from Impulse Pictures is another winner. What it lacks in depth of plot it makes up for in cruel, cruel, entertainment. This is deserving of a spot on your shelf right along with spines 1-5.

TRUE STORY OF A WOMAN IN JAIL: CONTINUES IS AVAILABLE HERE