Bloodtype Online

    Say what you want about Italian sleazemeister Bruno Mattei, but I fucking love the guy.  Now it's pretty evident that he was very much a rip-off artist in the highest degree, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that a lot of them manage to be pretty fun regardless.  With films like "Hell of the Living Dead", "Women's Prison Massacre" and "Zombi 3 in his resume there's no doubt that I had always wanted to see "Caged Women".  Now with the fine folks at Retro Shock-o-Rama it's possible as it is included as the second feature on their uncut edition of "Women's Prison Massacre".  This one is no exception as it's as sleazy as you'd come to expect from a Mattei women in prison movie. 

    "Caged Women" is the story of Emanuelle, an investigative reporter who manages to get herself incarcerated in an extremely ruthless women's' penitentiary.  It's run by a very unforgiving warden and her nihilistic prison guards who put the prisoners through hell each and everyday.  Emanuelle has to deal with the torture on a daily basis to get back at the person who originally set her up and not only that but the prison bully Albina who wants to kill her during her stay as well.  Did I mention the death row inmates that are there to take over the prison?  To put it mildly this one gets completely crazy in a hurry when the proverbial shit hits the fan.  With the police engaging on an all out attack on the prison, Emanuelle has to manage to stay alive to exact her revenge.

    Honestly, this is a by the numbers women in prison flick, but add in some Laura Gemser and amp up the sleaze a few notches like they did and it's a pretty acceptable entry into the genre.  Of course good old Bruno doesn't know when to call it a day and some of the scenes drag on a little too long, but it's nothing to bad to be honest. 

    Although this isn't exactly the first flick I'd point people to when it comes to the greatness that is Laura Gemser but it's still something of value if you are a fan of hers.  She does the usual job that she does in these movies as she's basically the hardnosed victim of horrible treatment from the guards and other inmates.  She does good with what she's given to work with and although I'm sure you already figured this part out but Gemser shows off some skin here as well.  Although not more than in some of the Black Emanuelle films that she did with D'Amato but I'm sure you get the picture.

    Overall this one is a solid entry into the WiP subgenre although it's not the best or worst I've seen.  Although titled differently in parts of the world, Mattei's 1983 film "Women's Prison Massacre" was actually the sequel to this film.  I would recommend this one if you are fan of Mattei or Gemser, but mainly if you are already a fan of the vast amount of women in prison films that are already on the market. 

Rating - **1/2

-Ed Demko