Director – Koyu Ohara (Rope Hell, Fairy in a Cage)
Starring – Hitomi Kozue (Sanctuary in the Night, Nasty Relationship), Mihoko Arikawa (Lesbian World: Ecstasy), and Kumi Natsuki
Release Date – 1975
Rating – 3/5
Impulse Pictures has released some solid sleaze over the years but I’m forever obsessed with the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection line they have. These Japanese “pink” films has been some of the most entertaining sexploitation flicks I have ever seen with a few of them becoming some of my favorite films.
A few days back MVD sent over a few Impulse releases with one NEFC release in it which was 1975’s True Story of a Woman in Jail: Hell of Love. This is the third film in a trilogy following the character of Mayumi. Sadly, I had not seen the previous two films but I was told that I can still enjoy this one without seeing the first two. Thanks again MVD for sending this one over!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young bride who finds her husband in bed with another woman. Her temper gets the best of her and blood is spilled. She quickly finds herself in prison filled with lesbians, torturous guards, and more lesbians.**Spoiler Alert**
Hell of Love may be the third film in a trilogy but it definitely stands out. With that being said, I’m looking forward to checking out the first two films. I really enjoyed this slice of Japanese sexploitation, or pink. It was a lot of sleazy fun with just enough story to keep me watching.
The acting in this one is good enough to make the film watchable but bad enough to make it awkward at times. I liked the characters and a few of them had a lot of fun in front of the camera. However, you don’t toss in a pink flick expecting to see award winning performances. You do so for the skin…perverts.
The story for this one is the basis for so many women in prison films from all around the world. A woman does something, usually killing a cheating lover, then finds herself in prison with a evil warden or guard and plenty of same sex love scenes. I’ve reviewed at least a dozen films with the same plot from the U.S., Italy, Spain, and so on. It’s nothing knew but the fun characters and energetic love scenes makes it very enjoyable regardless of how many times you’ve seen the premise.
Finally, the film does have a little a little blood but the focus of this is more on the skin and the set up than blood. Horror fans will not enjoy it but cult cinema fans will know exactly what to expect. Overall, Hell of Love may not be one of the most well known Japanese pink films but it is one that fans will thoroughly enjoy. Collectors will want to add this Impulse release to their collections!
