Prigione di Donne, or Riot in a Women's Prison, is a 1974 Italian exploitation film directed by Brunello Rondi, famed for his writing collaborations with Fellini. This entry into the women-in-prison (WIP) genre of the 1970s has its moments of trashy fun but ultimately fails to excite, with a tedious pace and underwhelming story.

The film begins with a peaceful group of hippies, including our main character, being arrested by fascists. Guilty by association, she finds herself in a pre-trial jail run by nuns, a seemingly odd but intriguing concept that sets the tone for the rest of the film.

The first half of the movie is a slow burn, taking its time to build up to the eventual riot suggested by the title. Along the way, we're treated to some choice scenes of sleaze and nudity, catfights, and over-the-top moments that fans of the genre will appreciate. However, these moments are few and far between, and the wait may deter all but the most dedicated fans of exploitation cinema.

The story is unengaging, and the acting leaves much to be desired. The film attempts to critique the state oppression and the unjust imprisonment of the women, but this intelligent parable is let down by lackluster performances and a general lack of energy. The much-anticipated riot scene, a fight between guards and prisoners, falls flat and is even embarrassing at times.

Where the film does find some success is in its atmosphere and setting. Rondi and cinematographer Gino Santini create a seedy, oppressive world that feels authentically 70s. The prison setting is effectively utilized, and the nuns add an interesting dynamic, subtly exerting a form of moral and physical control over their charges.

Overall, Prigione di Donne is a passable entry into the WIP genre. While it has some enjoyable moments and a unique setting, it is ultimately let down by its slow pace and forgettable story and performances. Only recommended for die-hard fans of exploitation cinema or those with a particular interest in the era's Italian filmmaking.

For a more satisfying riot, you may want to look elsewhere!

It seems a shame to describe any Women In Prison picture as "tedious", but this Italian production just fails to be that interesting for its first half. It takes a while to get to any rioting that's going to be done. Fortunately, along the way there are choice scenes that lovers of cinematic trash will adore. They just have to wade through a lot of talk to get to them. This wouldn't be so bad if the movie weren't so horribly dubbed, though: the dialogue is pretty hard to make out at times (not that aficionados of this sort of thing would really care about dialogue).

Performances are mostly adequate in this tale of French tourist Martine Fresienne (Martine Brochard), vacationing in Italy, who just happens to be present when cops bust a bunch of hippies. As it happens, some drugs are planted on Martine, so she's busted with the rest of them and sent to prison - a typical enough prison for W.I.P. fare. Martine makes the acquaintance of Susan (Marilu Tolo), a loud, aggressive inmate who's the kind of person who makes things happen.

If you've read this far, you'll be pleased to know that the movie delivers what you could expect, including an extended shower scene. There's plenty of bare female flesh to admire, always extremely important for the genre. The highlights of the movie include an inmate pleasuring herself in the shower, Susan doing the same in the yard in order to tease a guard, the supreme embarrassment of a hot young nun (Cristina Galbo), the strip tease performed by Isabelle (Isabelle De Valvert), and a rather poetically done lesbian sex scene. With things like this going on, it's understandable that the viewers aren't going to care a whole lot about the story. The standout among the actresses is striking brunette Tolo, who comes complete with a particularly bad dubbing job.

Running a mere 81 minutes, this obviously pretty obscure movie has been resurrected on DVD by the grindhouse collection started by Charles Bands' Full Moon company. Completists will definitely want to give it a look.

Six out of 10.

After selling the 36 Steps (2006-also reviewed) DVD, I wanted to find a bonus title I could send to the buyer as a free gift. Digging into my pile of unwatched Italian flicks,I eyed a obscure WIP title,which left me in the mood for a riot.

View on the film:

Stripping the prisoners down in their sentencing, co-writer/(with Leila Buongiorno/Anthony La Penna and Aldo Semeraro) director Brunello Rondi (who wrote Fellini's most famous works!) & cinematographer Gino Santini lay bare a nice and sleazy WIP atmosphere from the ladies ripping their clothes off in cat fights,and wonderfully bonkers dips into unintended (?) comedy (a noose for a dog!)

Kicking it all off in the prison, Rondi charges in with a Grindhouse rough and ready style in hand-held camera moves punching into the middle of the action, and rapid spinning camera moves rolling on the disorientating state of a riot.

Each coming from the school of hard knocks, the writers give each of the gals tasty coarsely cut dialogue, bringing out a ruthless bite to when the action starts. Entering the big house being found wrongly guilty, fit Martine Brochard gives a live wire turn as Fresienne, whose innocent state Brochard grinds down,by getting Fresienne caught up in a riot in a women's prison.