The Hot Box provides almost everything the true connoisseur of sleazy trash B-movies of the 70s craves for - some hot girls, some nudity, some solid gunpowder smoke, and a production that is not too cheap for that kind of movie. The story revolves around some American nurses who get involved in revolutionary activities, leading to a real battle in the end. Additionally, we are treated to the beautiful Margaret Markov in her prime. It's astonishing that she did not receive more major roles considering her talent and charisma. The Hot Box only touches on the sexploitation business in a few scenes, with nudity portrayed in some scenes to spice things a little up. Torture is only briefly explored - so. If you're looking for movies like Black Mama, White Mama or Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS, this may not be the right choice. However, I found The Hot Box entertaining enough to pass the time, although it may not be essential for hardcore sleazehounds.

After Angels Hard As They Come, Joe Viola and Jonathan Demme went to the Philippines to make this women in prison film. This time, nurses Bunny (Andrea Cagan, who went from acting to ghostwriting memoirs for Pam Grier, Grace Slick and Diana Ross), Lynn (Margaret Markov, Run, Angel, Run!), Ellie (Rickey Richardson, Bonnie's Kids) and Sue (Laurie Rose, The Wizard of Speed and Time) are kidnapped by resistance fighters and asked to teach them medicine. They escape, get taken by the even worse corrupt government the guerrillas are up against and now we have a New World Pictures movie.

Unlike so many other WIP films, there's not as much assault in this, so it has that going for it. However, it's more like they tried to sneak in some lessons about politics instead of making an exploitation movie. It's a noble thought, but when you call your movie The Hot Box and have a poster with a topless woman - other than bullets covering her - in cutoffs blasting a machine gun, you expect something else.

That something else would be Caged Heat, which Demme would get to direct after Corman saw how well he did on second unit for this movie.

Four American nurses -- sensitive Lynn Forrest (an excellent portrayal by the ravishing Margaret Markov), sassy Ellen St. George (a marvelously fiery Rickey Richardson), feisty Sue Pennwright (luscious brunette stunner Laurie Rose), and vacuous airhead Bunny Kinkaid (busty blonde babe Andrea Cagan) -- working in the oppressive war torn third world country the Republic of San Rosario are kidnapped by a ragtag army of revolutionaries who are in desperate need of proper medical assistance. The naive and apathetic ladies all get a harsh crash course in bitter world politics, with Lynn in particular eventually becoming a firm believer in the rebel army's cause. Director Joe Viola, who also co-wrote the sharp and engrossing script with Jonathan Demme, relates the gripping story at a constant snappy pace, stages the exciting rough'n'ready action set pieces with considerable brio, further spices things up with amusing moments of inspired humor, and certainly doesn't skimp on the tasty gratuitous female nudity (all four gorgeous leads have topless scenes). The violence is extremely bloody and brutal while the overall tone is properly gritty and tough-minded. The radical left-wing politics are a tad too strident at times, but still on the money sincere and provocative. This film scores bonus points for its refusal to neither glamorize nor sanitize the revolutionary way of life: It's shown as pretty grungy and thankless, with danger lurking just around the corner. Moreover, this movie cites various credible and interesting reasons for why people join a revolution: Some are noble, others not. The sturdy cast all contribute sound performances: The actresses playing the nurses are all earnest and appealing, Carmen Argenziano shines as dedicated and passionate army leader Flavio, Charles Dierkop makes for a perfectly hateful villain as the slimy and vicious Major Dubay, plus there are nice turns by Zaldy Zshornack as consummate soldier Ronaldo, Rocco Montalban as scuzzy bandito leader Carragiero, and Jose Romulo as zealous hunter Ronaldo. Restie Umali supplies a deliciously funky, rattling, get-down groovin' score. Felipe Sacdalan's fairly polished cinematography boasts a few flashy scene transitions. Well worth seeing for 70's grindhouse aficionados.