The Concrete Jungle

I stumbled upon the 1982 crime drama "The Concrete Jungle" in 2022, a mere 40 years after it was initially released. I had never heard about the movie, so I didn't have much of any expectations as I sat down to watch what writer Alan J. Adler had to offer with this movie.

And I will say that I was actually adequately entertained by "The Concrete Jungle". Sure, the storyline is somewhat generic for a movie such as this, but it still proved to be enjoyable enough. The storyline was nicely enough written and had some good moments to it, which drove the movie forward. Was it predictable? You betcha.

It should be said that for a movie with 40 years on its shoulders, then director Tom DeSimone actually managed to put together a movie that has withstood the passing of time quite nicely, because "The Concrete Jungle" is still a very watchable and enjoyable movie in 2022.

The cast ensemble in the movie was good. I can't claim that I was familiar with the ensemble here in the movie, but they definitely were nicely cast and put on good performances.

If you enjoy the women-in-prison genre of movies, then "The Concrete Jungle" is actually an enjoyable foray.

My rating of "The Concrete Jungle" lands on a six out of ten stars.

I remember watching this on HBO back in the mid-80's. I thought Tracey E Bregman (who apparently took a summer break from Young & Restless) was mostly believable as Elizabeth. I say 'mostly' because there were moments she is just too glamorous to be believable as the hard-luck prisoner. Barbara Luna is quite notable as QueenBee "Cat"; a role she was almost born to play. Jill St. John mostly skirted around her warden role, in which I gave a C+ rating, if that. The best performances, ironically, were the female prisoners, and Robert Miano (Stone).

I had been a young fan of U.K.'s 1970's series, 'Prisoner, Cell-Block-H'. While I don't compare this film to that series, some of the action bears reflection on surreal existence within actual prison life.

While no movie from the "women in prison genre" will ever be called a masterpiece, 1982's "The Concrete Jungle" is a cut above the rest, largely because it does take itself somewhat seriously, while it tells a plausible story of what goes on inside the prison system. There are no group shower scenes in this one, but there is some rather ugly, vile depictions of forced sex and other sordid goings on. The best thing about this one is it's effective study of power hierarchy inside the prison system, from guards over prisoners, to prisoners over weaker prisoners, and most interestingly between warden and direct underlings. Every angle is covered. Even the power that a man has over a woman, simply by using love as a weapon to control and deceive; it's all here. The most impressive thing is how this nightmarish world is captured, as the story's heroine, Elizabeth, sinks deeper into the sordid and desperate life behind bars. Tension builds to an almost unbearable level as the attacks of the 'Queen Bee' become more vicious, from beatings, to shooting up rivals with syringes of air, to razor blade attacks, as in the film's most effective scene, that finds the once timid Elizabeth, becoming the aggressor and cutting her abuser with the same blade that was pulled on her. Soap Opera legend Tracey Bregman shines in her role, and is convincing, especially when her character begins to change into one of the animals that had at first horrified her. This title has finally been restored for Bluray and it makes a big difference, as now the competent cinematography and it's highly polished look can now be appreciated. The director followed this successful movie with another WIP film the following year. "Chained Heat" with Linda Blair, which cranked up the exploitative elements considerably, but does not have the same quality of this lesser known, earlier film. As far as the genre goes, "Concrete Jungle" is one of the best. Also recommended are the prison movies "Vendetta," and "Red Heat," which is hard to find in an uncensored version.

"The Concrete Jungle" doesn't offer anything you haven't seen before, but it's still an absorbing, fairly well-made & acted little Women-In-Prison drama. What the fans of this sub-genre need to know is that the filmmakers have taken a mostly serious-minded approach here, at least until the last 10 minutes when a massive fight that breaks out in the prison yard turns into a mudbath! Most of the time, though, the film simply chronicles, in a straightforward manner, the daily struggle for survival of a 100% innocent woman who tries to adapt to the harsh prison life. Tracey Bregman's sweet, innocent-looking face is perfect for the part, and she is surrounded by actresses who mostly manage, in a short amount of time, to build their own characters. The standout for me was June Barret as the bad girl Icy, who is both strong and insecure. (**)

Alternately boring and sleazy, the Concrete Jungle commits the unpardonable sin of taking itself too seriously. But what a cast! You have Tracey Bregman as the new fish Cherry; an innocent young woman framed for drug smuggling by her nefarious boyfriend, Peter Brown. Then there is Jill St. John as evil warden Fletcher. Let's not forget Barbara Luna as the queen bee. Of course, Camille Keaton reprises her rape victim role from I Spit on Your Grave as well as Kendall Kaldwell as Eyes the mean corrections officer. With Nita Talbot as the concerned social worker, Shelly Meyers assuring us a happy ending for all involved. Also if you look closely, you will recognize, Tiana Pierce from Mother's Day as well as Forms Karate champ, Karen Sheperd billed as Kung Fu. Oh well, at least it was a better billing than the woman credited as "Blimp" Followed by the sleazy homage to boom mikes everywhere, Chained Heat and it's insipid in name only follow-ups, Chained Heat 2 and Chained Heat 3: Devil's Mountain