Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41/DVD

From The Grindhouse Cinema Database

< Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

US

Sasori2dvdcov (1).jpg
  • Released in 2000
  • Region 1
  • 89 min
  • STUDIO: Image
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic NTSC
  • SOUND: Japanese Dolby Digital 1.0 (192 kbps)
  • SUBTITLES: English (burnt in)
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Original Trailer (3:11) | Liner Notes
  • DVD COMMENTS: This out of print US dvd is not worth the effort. It features the worst transfer available for this film, and the subtitles are burnt in. I’m unaware if it’s uncut (the prison year rape is cut on some prints).

UK

Sasori2dvdcov.jpg
  • Released in 2007
  • Region 2
  • 89 min
  • STUDIO: Eureka
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic PAL
  • SOUND: Japanese Mono
  • SUBTITLES: English (burnt in)
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Original Trailer
  • DVD COMMENTS: This dvd is said to be a direct port of the poor US Image dvd, and converted from a NTSC master. If you need english subtitles, this is the best option at the moment (1/11/08).
  • Buy the UK DVD

France

Studio Canal

Sasori2dvdcov (2).jpg
  • Released in 2003
  • Region 2
  • 85 min
  • STUDIO: Studio Canal
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic PAL
  • SOUND: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (384 kbps) | French Dolby Digital 2.0 (384 kbps)
  • SUBTITLES: French (optional, but burnt in in at least two scenes)
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Presentation for the film by Jean-Pierre Dionnet | Interview with Shunya Ito (26 min) | Interview with Risaku Kiridoushi (20 min) | Interview with Romain Slocombe (19 min) | Photo Gallery (24 pics) | Production Notes | Filmographies
  • DVD COMMENTS: This old French release by Studio Canal features some unique extras such as the Shunya Ito interview. Disappointingly the original trailer and teaser are missing (they can be found from the Japanese dvd). The transfer is not the best this film has seen, but beats the US Image and UK Eureka dvds hands down. Nevertheless, it’s too bright and displays the less than pristine condition of the print. French subtitles are optional, but at least the opening credits and one scene later on feature burnt in subs. The prison yard rape scene is missing the last 12 seconds. It’s non-explicit footage, but comes with no sound. My guess is that someone in France didn’t realize that it’s intentional (or that’s what I believe at least) and decided to cut that footage from the print. Finally, Studio Canal screwed up with the cover art. They accidentally used artwork from the third film, Beast Stable. They also manage to spell the director’s name in half dozen different ways (Shunya Ito, Shunia Ito, Shinia Ito, Ito Shunya...) - HungFist

Pathe Box Set

Sasori dvdcov8.jpg
  • Released in 2007
  • Region 2
  • 85 min
  • STUDIO: Pathe / Asian Star
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic PAL
  • SOUND: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps) | French Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
  • SUBTITLES: French Subtitles
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Photo Gallery (17 pics) | Meiko Kaji and Shunya Ito Filmographies | Theatrical Trailer (3:05)
  • DVD COMMENTS: Pathe’s dvd, which is only available in the La Femme Scorpion Box Set, uses the same source material as the old French dvd by Studio Canal. The progressive transfer has however been newly remastered. The burnt in subs, which appeared on the old disc a few times, have been removed and replaced with removable subtitles. The image is clear, but has a slight blue tint. This is also a Native Pal transfer, unlike the rest in the box set. Compared to the Japanese release this dvd sharper and doesn’t suffer from copping like the Toei disc. However, personally I think Toei’s superb colour and brightness level are more faithful to the film’s mood and visual details. However, I know there will be people who disagree with me, and if the cropping on Toei bothers you, then this is the Jailhouse 41 dvd to own. It has to be mentioned that, just like the old French disc, Pathe’s release also is slightly cut. The prison yard rape scene is missing the last 12 seconds. It is non-explicit footage, and I believe it was cut by some smart ass because those 12 seconds feature no audio... which seems like an obvious stylistic choise from the director if you ask me... - HungFist
  • Buy the French La Femme Scorpion Box Set

Germany

Sasori2dvdcov (4).jpg
  • Released in 2006
  • Region 2
  • 89 min
  • STUDIO: R.E.M
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic PAL
  • SOUND: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 | German Dolby Digital 2.0
  • SUBTITLES: German
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Photo Gallery | Trailer | Bonus Trailers
  • DVD COMMENTS: All specs unconfirmed. This seems like a NTSC to PAL conversion of the Japanese dvd. - HungFist
  • Buy the German DVD

Box Set

Sasori dvdcov5.jpg

Japan

Sasori2dvdcov (3).jpg
  • Released in
  • Region 2
  • 89 min
  • STUDIO: Toei
  • PICTURE: 2.35:1 Anamorphic NTSC
  • SOUND: Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 (384 kbps)
  • SUBTITLES: No Subtitles
  • SPECIAL FEATURES: Photo Gallery | Original Teaser (1:43) | Original Trailer (3:11)
  • DVD COMMENTS: This is my choice of dvd for viewing Jailhouse 41. Toei presents the film uncut (with the rape scene intact) and with excellent colour and brightness levels. I feel this presentation is more faithful to the film’s mood than the two french dvds or the US and UK dvds. The big minus of this dvd is that it’s quite heavily cropped. The new French dvd is also sharper. Extras feature the basic stuff, plus the original teaser which is missing from most (all?) other dvds. – HungFist
  • Buy the Japanese DVD

_

Newsletter
  • Grindhouse Database Newsletter
  • Exploitation books
  • Kung fu movies
  • Giallo BluRay