The Naked Cage

A young woman (Shari Shattuck) is falsely convicted of a bank robbery and sent to a maximum-security prison run by a corrupt warden, where she is forced to suffer various indignities.

When you sit down to watch a women in prison movie, you already expect it to be exploitation all the way, with gratuitous nudity and very likely a girl-on-girl sex scene or two. While this film certainly does that, it is a little less blatant and for that it maybe deserves a little credit.

Not that this is good. The basic plot point is that a woman kidnapped at a bank gets sent to prison for the robbery she had no part of. This really makes no sense, but because it jumps from the cops showing up directly to the prison, we never see how such bungling could occur.

A leggy sexy girl (Rita) in short shorts and cowboy boots somehow manages to hitch a ride from some dude driving a stolen red Corvette. They team up in a robbery/shooting and drag the dude's girlfriend (Michelle)into the fracas and she is convicted of armed robbery and is to serve 3 years.

Thrown into an all female prison, Michelle tries to cope with the the requisite evil warden, personal conflicts, bad guards, bad prisoners, but hey it IS prison.

Actually this film has a lot of social justice between the nude prisoners running around and kissing and making out. The blacks are segregated but Michelle bridges the divide and teams up with them to ferment a full fledged Attica style riot.

The big tough gal, Faith Minton, a centerpiece in the population, is tough enough to serve in a men's prison, where she would get respect.

Lots goes on in this above average prison flick, and it kinda reminds me of a female version of Brubaker. If you see it for $5, buy it or rent it for a fun evening of chic on chic action with some social justice thrown in.

Sadly the movie did not provide IMDb with practicals, i.e. photos of all cast members and bios. So faces are blank, making it hard to identify the actors.

Moral: avoid going to prison at all costs. Be a good citizen. Well, even that might not help you if you are framed.

I recently watched The Naked Cage (1986) on Prime. The storyline follows a woman unjustly imprisoned in a women's facility, where she must navigate cliques among the inmates and contend with a corrupt warden who has her own twisted desires. The warden controls the prison through spies who can make life easier or harder for inmates. As the young woman starts to understand the dangerous dynamics inside, even her allies begin to turn against her. Can she survive, or will the prison system destroy her?

Written and directed by Paul Nicholas (Night of the Archer), the film stars Shari Shattuck (Spy Hard), Angel Tompkins (The Teacher), Nick Benedict (Get a Job), and John Terlesky (Deathstalker II).

This is a classic 80s prison drama, complete with all the era's iconic elements. The cast of gorgeous women, 80s hairstyles, and a lively soundtrack make it fun to watch. There are some entertaining action scenes, like the opening robbery, the fight sequences, and the predictable but enjoyable prison riot at the end. The film also has its fair share of girl-on-girl action, nudity, and the inevitable shower scene-though that didn't play out quite as expected. The warden's office looking like a set straight out of a porn film was unintentionally hilarious. However, as you'd expect, there's inconsistent acting, over-the-top situations, and predictable plot points-though they're fun in a campy way.

In conclusion, The Naked Cage is a fun 80s prison drama, but you'll need to manage your expectations. I'd score it a 5-5.5/10 and recommend it only if you're looking for some nostalgic, over-the-top entertainment.

While the women in prison movie genre was on its last legs by the mid 1980s, that fact did not stop schlock movie producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus from grinding out their own contribution. Typical for one of their productions, it was made on a low budget, which does show here and there (mainly with some cheap sets.) However, director Paul Nicolas does manage to inject some stylish touches here and there. And while the movie could have used a bit more sleaze, there is a decent amount of nudity and other exploitation touches here and there. However, the story is kind of a mess. There are some murky details, as if important information got edited out or was never filmed in the first place. And some scenes seem to play out of order. Central story details also unfold slowly, but Nicolas does go from scene to scene at a brisk pace so there are no boring or tedious moments. And there is some welcome camp, mainly with some really broad performances by the cast. While I am (oddly) not a big fan of the women in prison genre despite the treats many of these films offer, I will say this: If you like this particular genre, you will likely find this effort to be decently done.

The Naked Cage, a 1986 prison drama directed by Paul Nicholas, tells the story of a young woman named Michelle (played by Shari Shattuck) who is wrongfully convicted and sent to a women's prison. The film attempts to explore themes of female empowerment, injustice, and survival within the confines of a brutal prison system.

The plot is fairly standard for the genre, with Michelle initially struggling to adapt to life behind bars. Michelle must navigate the dangerous politics of the prison, form alliances, and ultimately fight for her freedom.

One of the film's most notable aspects is its cast, which features several recognizable faces from the era. Shattuck delivers a convincing performance as the determined Michelle, while Tompkins and Whitaker are suitably menacing as the prison's main antagonists. However, the characters themselves are somewhat underdeveloped, and their motivations often feel contrived.

Overall, The Naked Cage is a passable entry in the women-in-prison genre, but it fails to truly stand out. The film's pacing is uneven, with stretches of tedium punctuated by brief moments of action and violence. Additionally, the script is riddled with clichés and predictable plot twists, which detract from the overall impact of the story.

In conclusion, while The Naked Cage has its moments, it ultimately falls short of its potential. The strong performances from the cast are undermined by a lackluster script and uninspired direction. As a result, this mediocre prison drama is unlikely to leave a lasting impression on viewers.