Violenza in un carcere femminile

Violence in a Women's Prison (1982)

** (out of 4)

Infamous Italian director Bruno Mattai takes a stab at the WIP (Women in Prison) genre as well as makes another entry in the famous Black Emmanuelle series. Emanuelle (Laura Gemser) goes undercover in a prison to see if it's true about the sadistic warden who likes to beat, torture and rape the women prisoners. If you've seen one WIP film then you've pretty much seen this one since the director doesn't try to do anything new or original here. You've got the countless lesbian scenes and constant nudity but this here grows old after a while. There's really not any shock value and the violence is rather low and contained to one scene where rats attack Gemser. Okay film but there are better WIP movies out there.

This WIP movie delivers all the goods in an almost plausible story. Laura Gemser, reprising her role as Emanuelle, is incarcerated in a sleazy women's prison where the warden is corrupt, the guards get excited by torturing prisoners, and the inmates use one another as pleasure toys.

Although intended for mature audiences only, this is a film that delivers the goods in this genre without trying to hold back; even the characters are interesting and developed.

I enjoyed this way too much considering who was responsible for it (the lamentable team of Fragrasso and Mattei). It's certainly a superior WIP flick- plenty of funny stuff, camp dialogue, ludicrous stereotypes and sleazy exploitation. The production is surprisingly polished though, and actually manages to maintain a plausible narrative throughout, which is quite an achievement in the circumstances!

Although Gemser appears as "Emanuelle", the character is considerably toned-down from her previous outings. In fact, she only has consensual sex once in the whole film! The "Emanuelle" thing seems to be more a commercial, tacked-on after-thought than an indication of what this film is actually going to be like.

Anyway, it's fun, check it out.

its true, not just anyone can! . why are they certain trashy exploitation movies we hold dear?

Mattei did bring style/substance to his films. Watch "Violenza in un carcere femminile" There is a dark mood to this film--done by style of cinematography, the score, the right cast, great flesh, script and direction. And by the way; cheese was intentional!! I really believe this. God I love this movie; I think I'll watch it tonight.



I like "women's camp 119" and "Night of the Zombies" aka Virus for the same reasons but "SS girls" is my favorite. Those who do not believe Mattei Cheesiness was not intentional should see this. In fact all of you who have not seen this film, should. It may be his masterpiece.

Violenza in un carcere femminile (Caged Women) is your typical women in prison flick. Laura Gemster, the star of the popular "Emanuelle" series, poses as an undercover journalist trying to find out how hideous the conditions are inside. This film is a bit sleazy and dark at times. Laura Gemster is well known for the sleazy roles she playes in the (Italian) "Emanuelle" films. There are a couple of lesbian scenes but, nothing to shout about. These scenes do not include Laura Gemster. All being said, this film is just average in my opinion.