Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Grudge Song (1973) Joshuu Sasori: 701-Gô Urami-bushi

Movie Rating NR Contains: Strong Language Violence Graphic Violence Gore Sex Nudity Mature Situations

Director: Yasuharu Hasebe Movie Genre: Pink, Action Country: Japan Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Grudge Song Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 6.0 Writing: 5.0 Acting: 4.8 Cinematography: 7.0 Sound and Score: 7.0 Functionality: 8.0 Presentation: 6.4 Genre Comparison: 6.7 General Comparison: 6.7 Overall: 6.4 Reviewed 2006-05-11 00:09:14

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Grudge Song is the fourth movie in Toei's Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion pinky violence series. In this installment Nami Matsushima, The Scorpion, is on the run once again. Nami is wounded in a gunfight with police when they catch up with her. She narrowly escapes and is taken in by Kudo, an old friend from college, who is currently employed at a local strip club. Kudo nurses Nami back to health and they both seek out revenge on Kodama, the detective who is after Nami.

Stylistically, this movie was heavily influenced by Spaghetti Westerns, with its gritty atmosphere and calloused, battle-hardened characters. The deliberate pacing consisting of many action sequences and a strong undercurrent that continually builds toward an amazing climax is similar to the work of Sergio Leone. Also, the music by Hajime Kaburagi could easily be mistaken for the works of Ennio Morricone.

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Grudge Song is a pinky violence movie that focuses more on violence than pink. This movie is definitely more of an action movie than a women in prison movie. Although much of the second act takes place in a prison, these scenes lack most of the common stereotypes and requisite nudity typical of the majority of movies involving female convicts.

This movie is not as stylistically surreal as the work of pinky violence master, Norifumi Suzuki. This is actually one of the more straightforward entries in this genre. The ending sequence, however; is a largely psychedelic diversion from the previously established revenge movie theme. With it's minimal surrealism and engaging story, Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Grudge Song makes an excellent starting point for those interested in the pinky violence genre.