Escape From Hell (1979)

Menard · January 07, 2005, 05:49:08 AM

Escape From Hell (1979)

A compassionate warden paces across his office as he contemplates the difficulties with reintegrating felons into society. He recalls the frightened look in a young nineteen year old girl's face who finds herself facing seven years for petty theft. He wonders if it is fair, how has society allowed this to happen? His gait seems weaker as he staggers slightly resting his head in his hands. His shoulders begin to heave, for in his momentary solitude he can no longer restrain his repressed emotions.

The above is an example of what you will not find in this movie.

'Escape From Hell' is an Italian/Spanish production about a women's prison on a hot tropical island (definitely not paradise). Touted as 'the mother of all women in prison movies' , 'Escape From Hell' stars Christina Lai and rumored transsexual superstar Ajita Wilson as convicts on this female Devil's Island of which some of the footage was re-edited into the U.S. realeased 'Savage Island', with added scenes starring Linda Blair.

The simple plot of this movie involves the arrival of a new warden at an island prison. This new warden is one sadistic martinet. Combined with a group of just as sadistic whip weilding guards and they do an excellent impersonation of an Italian movie crew. Worsening conditions at the prison push the inmates to the desire to organize an escape.

In addition to little Lucio and his phobia of germs, we have one nasty bald, head guard which should put you in the mind to watch at least three Yul Brenner movies to get the bad taste out of your mouth. There is a female guard whose voice sounds like it was dubbed by Gilbert Gottfried. And of course our compassionate good guy doctor who is an alcoholic with emotional problems.

If you are looking for art, this is not the movie. 'Escape From Hell' is designed to deliver on one level; male libido. In this we have catfights, sweat, lashings, sweat, bare bodies, sweat, lesbians, sweat, shower scene, sweat, faces where they probably don't belong, and did I mention sweat.

If you like women in prison movies, this has the goods. If you find this type of movie distateful, this will offend.

This movie is unrated, has a runtime of 93 minutes, and is available as a Troma release on DVD.

*Even though a good part of this movie was edited for use in 'Savage Island', parts of another movie starring Christina Lai were also used in addition to the added scenes with Linda Blair. Conversely the basic plot in 'Savage Island' is different.

Post Edited (02-22-05 12:31)

Scott · January 08, 2005, 07:15:16 PM

Thanks Menard. Just located it on Netflix and qued it up at #56 for now. It might move up when I'm in the mood. Just saw CAGED HEAT which was ok and last night BIG DOLL HOUSE and it was a little dissappointed, so it might be a little while before I come back to the genre. At least for a little while.

Menard · January 08, 2005, 07:54:06 PM

Scott
I have three more to make it through myself. One is a Brazilian film; WOMEN IN FURY. I also have an old Continental Video double-feature with SWEET SUGAR and ESCAPE FROM WOMENS PRISON. I have seen enough of these films that they begin to blur together, and I cannot distinguish them by title. ESCAPE FROM HELL, while not being a particularly good movie, delivered more of why we see these movies than most any other I have seen. And even though SAVAGE ISLAND is made up of 70-80% of ESCAPE FROM HELL, the new material and editing do make it a different movie. If you come across something you feel delivers more than ESCAPE FROM HELL, please let me know ( :

Scott · January 08, 2005, 07:58:21 PM

Definately will let ya know. I have THE BIRD CAGE, ARENA, and WOMEN IN CAGES, plus the ones you mentioned, but I plan to get to them.

I think the Italian Cannibal films are in the same territory, but a level beyond the prison flicks. What do you think?

Scott · January 08, 2005, 08:31:12 PM

I was just reading at imdb.com that the Italian prison films are the wild films and the Corman productions are not as wild. Thanks again for the recommendation. I think ESCAPE FROM HELL might move up quick.

Post Edited (01-08-05 19:32)

Menard · January 08, 2005, 08:59:50 PM

Even though these movies step beyond the realm of good taste (and I mean beyond), the Italian cannibal movies shattered any threshold. After having seen CANNIBAL FEROX, I declared that as the most disqusting film I had seen. I also have a copy of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST but have yet to watch it. I have seen images of the impalement from CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and it is definitely a disturbing image.

Being a zombie movie buff, the gore does not bother me. What I do not like about the cannibal movies is the regular slaughter of animals for entertainment. I cannot recall the name, but one Italian director who made a cannibal film was actually imprisoned for it. Of course if someone likes this type of thing, I have several movies I can recommend among the cannibal movies.

If it were not for the slaughter, I could enjoy some of these films like EATEN ALIVE. I did, on a basest libidinous level, enjoy EMMANUELLE AND THE LAST CANNIBALS. Of course the effect where Donald O'Brien is cut in half is pretty cheesy.

Speaking of Donald O'Brien and cannibals, I have found DOCTOR BUTCHER M.D./ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST to be quite enjoyable and Alexandra Delli Coli to be quite enjoyable in that movie.

The cannibal movies do appeal a lot on the same basic level as the women in prison and Ilsa movies (which is another category unto itself).

There is one movie I can think of off the top of my head that makes some of the cannibal movies look sensitive and that is CALIGULA REINCARNATED AS HITLER. I would comment on what makes this movie repulsive, but I am at a loss of words. I will just say their is a scene where nazi officers (lack of capitalization is intentional) have a meal of a Jewish infant (implied). It goes downhill from there.

Ah thinks ah got off the subject, I do that. If this made no sense, let me know ( :

Menard · January 08, 2005, 09:02:57 PM

Definitly sleezier than anything Corman produced. Which means its got my vote. Don't you just love those Italian movies?