Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection
 Female Prisoner Scorpion The Complete Collection
4 stars

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yoyoi Watanabe

Directors: Shunya Ito, Yasuharu Hasebe

Release Date: August 9, 2016

Run Time: 353 Minutes (4 Films)

Format: Blu-Ray Color: Color

Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English

Distributor: Arrow Video

Synopsis – Box Set

Starring the iconic and beautiful Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood, Stray Cat Rock) in a role that came to define her career, the four-film Female Prisoner Scorpion series charts the vengeance of Nami Matsushima, who assumes the mantle of “Scorpion,” becoming an avatar of vengeance and survival, and an unlikely symbol of female resistance in a male-dominated world.
Spiritual kin to Ms. 45, Coffy and The Bride Wore Black, the Female Prisoner Scorpion is the pinnacle of early 1970s exploitation cinema from Japanese grindhouse studio Toei, and one of the greatest female revenge sagas ever told.

Extras
  • Limited Edition Blu-ray collection (3000 copies)
  • Brand new 2K restorations of all four films in the series presented on High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
  • Original mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays) for all films
  • Optional English subtitles for all films
  • Double-sided fold out poster of two original artworks
  • Reversible sleeves for all films featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan
  • Booklet featuring an extract from Unchained Melody: The Films of Meiko Kaji, an upcoming book on the starby critic and author Tom Mes, an archive interview with Meiko Kaji, and a brand new interview with Toru Shinohara, creator of the original Female Prisoner Scorpion manga

FEMALE PRISONER #701: SCORPION

  • Newly filmed appreciation by filmmaker Gareth Evans (The Raid)
  • Archive interview with director Shunya Ito
  • New interview with assistant director Yutaka Kohira
  • Theatrical Trailers for all films in the series

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41

  • Newly filmed appreciation by critic Kier-La Janisse
  • Japanese cinema critic Jasper Sharp looks over the career of Shunya Ito
  • New interview with production designer Tadayuki Kuwana
  • Original Theatrical Trailer

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE

  • Newly filmed appreciation by critic Kat Ellinger
  • Archive interview with director Shunya Ito
  • New visual essay on the career of star and icon Meiko Kaji by critic Tom Mes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: #701’s GRUDGE SONG

  • Newly filmed appreciation by filmmaker Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Kichiku: Banquet of the Beasts)
  • Archive interview with director Yasuharu Hasebe
  • Japanese cinema critic Jasper Sharp looks over the career of Yasuharu Hasebe
  • Visual essay on the Scorpion series by critic Tom Mes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer

 

My Thoughts

 

Female Prisoner Scorpion: The Complete Collection is a Boxset of Four films filled with gore, Rape, Nudity and the greatness of Meiko Kaji whom does a great job acting wise. Over the four film series we are dealt with Matsu (Meiko Kaji) in and out of prison and on the run in the 3rd film.

Story wise the set was good with the First film being the best with the others falling in line slowly getting a lower rating. The least favorite film is Grunge Song and still gets a good amount of stars with 3 out of 5 but for me it felt like the film breaks away from the other three films story wise. All the films still hold up in the Gore department and Meiko Kaji still brings the heat in all the films.

Overall the Boxset is a must have for Japanese Cinema fans, Meiko Kaji of Lady Snow Blood Fame, Grungy dirty action and gore.

With that said I give this must have Boxset a 4 out of 5. Go pick it up before its sold out in its 3000 limited copy run or you will be missing out on the Meiko Kaji Greatness.

Check out my reviews for each film below.

 

Audio/Video

Audio

Audio Language: Japanese
Dubbed:
Subtitles: English

The Sound Quality is Great with no Clipping, clear dialogue and Bassy tones.

Rating:

Picture Quality

Disc Format: Blu-Ray

The Picture Quality is pretty good with Sharp Details on Close ups and Colors are candy vibrant with deep blacks. Film Grain is noticeable and is some scenes more than others at times it feels like it gets in the way during darker scene

Rating: 4 stars

 

 

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Yayoi Watanabe

Directed: Shunya Itô

Theatrical Release Date: August 25, 1972 (Japan)

Run Time: 87 Minutes

Color: Color

Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English

 

Synopsis
After being used and betrayed by the detective she had fallen in love with, young Matsu is sent to a female prison full of sadistic guards and disobedient prisoners.
Review

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion is a female prison film that deals with corrupt Guards and a wrongfully accused Meiko Kaji which can be dangerous. Kaji playing Matsu is set up by a loved one whom she did dirty work for. Imprisoned, beaten and setup for death, Matsu’s Heart is fueled by revenge. Nothing can stop her not even the Horny Guards and female prisoners who belittle her. Shit is about to go down. Tortured and Whipped, Matsu’s Facial Expressions remained Blank as she knew she will revenge.

The Film is a dark and twisted story that seems to fit Meiko Kaji pretty good. Action, rape, male rape, Gore, Nudity, Girl on Girl, Torture, gangs and revenge fills the screen for its viewers. Whats not to like with a good cast and a Beautiful Meiko Kaji Helming the lead. The story runs at a good pace and at times it seems to inspire female prison porn but porn this is not. Acting is great and top-notch from are lead, You feel her anger and pain.

Overall the first film in this boxset of greatness was a good watch and still holds up from my first viewing years ago. It’s just now refreshed and looks way better thanks to Arrow. Meiko Kaji in HD. Also Want to Point out we get some cool Camera work to help tell the story and also bring out some Noir with Moving Set pieces during the flashback to tell the story of how and why Matsu is in Jail.

With that Said I give Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion a 4.5 out of 5 and on a good day it deserves a 5. Watch it now. A Great Start to a 4 Film Story, A tongue Biting Bloody good Time.

 

Trailer

 

 

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Fumio Watanabe, Yukie Kagawa

Directed: Shunya Itô

Theatrical Release Date: December 30, 1972 (Japan)

Run Time: 94 Minutes

Color: Color

Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English

 

Synopsis

After spending a year in solitary confinement, Matsu escapes from prison with six more convicts, followed by the guards led by the vengeful warden who wants her dead at all costs.

 

Review

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 is the 2nd Film of the 4 film series and begins where the 1st film left off. After escaping and taking revenge Scorpion(Meiko Kaji) aka Matsu is now back in jail. She is Treated harshly by the same warden and is keep out of sight in a Holding cell that is cave like underground for a year. Until they let her out to enjoy some sunlight, Wrong move! she creates a riot again and her punishment along with the other inmates is hard labor. An Escape attempt turns into a success and a few ladies including Matsu are on the run.

Don t Mess with Matsu or you’re getting hurt. She can take it, can you?

Once again we get a prison film but more like half a prison film and half an on the run film. Yes Leaves off where the last one ended sort of. The film starts out with Matsu in Prison , same warden different prisoners. She has been caught and has been doing time underground for the past year. The film has the same Gore, Violence, Sex scenes and some nudity just not as much. This film also includes one of the more goriest scenes where a guard has been killed and left for the others to find. When they find him he has a tree limb through his groin leaving him with nothing left. Meiko once again plays a great role with her blank faces and evil stares leaving the viewers knowing she will get everyone back. Not as good as the first film but it’s not to far behind it.

Overall the film was a great watch, Any time Meiko is on-screen it just makes the film.

With that said I give Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 a 4 out of 5. Off to the next film.

 

Trailer

 

 

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Mikio Narita, Reisen Ri |

Directed: Shunya Itô

Theatrical Release Date: July 29, 1973 (Japan)

Run Time: 87 Minutes

Color: Color

Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English

 

Synopsis
Matsu is sheltered by an incestuous prostitute on her run from the police, her ex-prison mate and a cop whose arm she hacked off.
Review

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable is the 3rd installment of the 4 film series that starts off with Matsu (Meiko Kaji) Chopping off a cops arm after he tries to put on the cuffs. On the run from the cops, she also faces a gang of female prostitute.

The Story still holds up as a continuation from the other two films but its a step below the first two films. The film is still an Arm Chopping good time with decent gore, violence, nudity, rape, you know the deal…Just like the last two films. Camera work is still on point with different view angles then most films giving are Female lead great looks of evil stares, a Derange escapee on the run.

Overall the film was still a good watch filled with all the good stuff the other two films has. I guess the down side would be We a little less of are lead then the other films but Meiko still does a good job as always.

With that said I give Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable a 3.5 out of 5

 

Trailer

 

Grudge Song

Starring: Meiko Kaji, Masakazu Tamura, Yumi Kanei

Directed: Yasuharu Hasebe

Theatrical Release Date: December 29, 1973 (Japan)

Run Time: 88 Minutes

Color: Color

Audio:Japanese Subtitles: English

 

Synopsis
Nami Matsushima, The Scorpion, still on the run from Kodama, meets Yasuo. Together they try to exact revenge on the corrupt detective, but when things go awry, Nami is back in prison and has to find a way to escape before being hanged.
Review

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable is The 4th and finale movie of the 4 film set that Deals with the same story line as the other films. Nami (Meiko Kaji) is on the run from police for her crimes we have seen in the last 3 films. The film starts out with her getting caught by police then she escapes when they are on route to the station inside of the police car, but she gets hurt and finds her self in the bathroom of a strip club. A guy who helps run the place finds her and helps her out and we also find out he as a grudge against the cops too. They Burned his man Hood…

My least favorite film in the set. Yes its the least but still worthy of the viewing. The story stray off from the first two films leaving only small connections. But don’t let that full you to much as we still have Meiko playing Matsu, just not as fierce as she did in the other films.

Overall the film a good watch even though this film can’t hang with the first it’s still a fun viewing thanks to Meiko.

With that said I give Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable a 3 out of 5.

 

Trailer

 

 

Buy Box Set

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This Film was Played on the listed Equipment below

Click Here To Drop Down the List of Equipment
TV

Samsung (UN46C6900) 46-Inch 1080p LED HDTV

DVD/Blu-Ray Player

OPPO BDP – 103 (Highly Recommended)

Click here to Learn More

Stereo Receiver

Pioneer VSX-516-K 7.1-Channel

Click here to Learn More

(1) Center Speaker

Pioneer S-HF 11C

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(2) Front Speaker

KLH 9250B Floor – 350 watts

(4) Surround sound Speakers

KLH 100 watt Bookshelf

(1) Subwoofer

Sony SA-W3000 180 Watt 12″ sub

Click here to Learn More


Note: I Know my speakers are way outdated. OPPO Blu-Ray Player is one of the best around and used in most home theaters. The Receiver is pretty good but on the line of out dated. Subwoofer is good with tons of bass but not the theater quality from a $400 Sub. Front speakers are fun with tons of power and are good for standalone’s but higher end sound (Hz) is lower quality. Overall I need to update on all speakers granted I do get decent sound out of them just the higher end falls short.

Masked Avenger reviews Arrow Video’s Blu-Ray Boxset release of Nikkatsu Diamond Guys Vol. 2. Check the link to see what the Ninja Thinks of these 3 films

By Masked Avenger

CEO/Webmaster of soreelflix.com. The Name Is James and I love Film ranging from Silent 20's to highly CGI Blockbusters of today. Westerns, Horror, world film, basically anything that peaks my interest I own it But Asian Films are what I Prize the most and Half of My collection Consists of Asian Films. Thanks to the Film 5 Deadly Venoms I Hail From The US, Maryland Is where The Ninja Studies and views the Scrolls of Film That Shine on his 46" Screen. I own a sword, I can do a thousand upside down situps, and I randomly disappear in smoke when I'm not writing movie news and or reviews.

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