99 Women

Year: 1969

Grade: B-

Country: Spain

Director: Franco

Review

it’s a film that begs the question: artsy trash or trashy art? i think it’s the latter, but you’re entitled to your own opinion. jess franco (whom you’ve probably never heard of) was an independent spanish filmmaker who worked outside of the norms. like bunuel he had a lot of trouble with the establishment and the censors because of his themes and subject matter. i’m not saying franco was as talented, but they’re similar filmmakers in this respect. the plot finds a new warden taking over a female prison and instating much more mild rules (eliminating corporal punishment and night watches) in an attempt to interject humanity in an inhumane institution. of course the prisoners run roughshod over her and a prison break and riot ensue. i suppose that on another level it’s a statement on the nature of man or an indictment of the prison system. theme song was catchy. mercedes mccambridge, maria rohm, and maria schell were all good.