Written by: Michael Den Boer on November 1st, 2007
Theatrical Release Dates: Japan, 1968, 1969
Directors: Yoshihiro Ishikawa (Female Demon Ohyaku), Nobuo Nakagawa (Quick-Draw Okatsu, Okatsu The Fugitive)
Cast: Junko Miyazono, Reiko Oshida, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Kunio Murai, Koji Minawara, Hosei Komatsu, Toru Abe, Tatsuo Umemiya, Kô Nishimura, Kenji Imai, Yuriko Mishima
DVD released: November 13th, 2007
Approximate running time: 90 minutes (Female Demon Ohyaku), 90 minutes (Quick-Draw Okatsu), 84 minutes (Okatsu The Fugitive)
Rating: NR
DVD Release: Synapse Films
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95 (each film is sold separately)
Synopsis:
(Female Demon Ohyaku) Ohyako (Junko Miyazono) is an actress who is sent to prison for a crime she did not commit. In prison she is tortured by the inmates, guards and those who out her in this hell hole. All the while she waits for the right moment when she can escape and track down those responsible for torment. Once free from prison Ohyako embarks on a journey of bloodshed with a demon tattooed across her back.
(Quick-Draw Okatsu) Okastu (Junko Miyazono) family is murdered by a corrupt magistrate who also happens to be infatuated with her. He gives her two options she can be his concubine or death. Okastu with the help of a young swordswoman Rui (Reiko Oshida) escapes the magistrates’ prison. Okastu now a wanted criminal manages to stay one step ahead of the law as she exacts her revenge against those who have violated her and murdered her family.
(Okatsu The Fugitive) Okatsu (Junko Miyazono) a gifted swordswoman is forced too used her skills to exact revenge against a man named Judayu and his allies who are responsible for her parents’ death when they refuse to reveal the whereabouts of a letter detailing their crimes.
The main thing that binds the Legends of the Poisonous Seductress Series: Female Demon Ohyaku, Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu the Fugitive is actress Junko Miyazono who appears in all three films. Also of note is that in each film she plays a different character with similar background and motives that are revenge based. These three films are all solid examples of swordplay films and one can definitely see how they influenced later films like Sex & Fury and Female Yakuza Tale: Inquisition and Torture.
The first film Female Demon Ohyaku is the only none shot in black & white and it was directed by Yoshihiro Ishikawa whose style is distinctively different then Nobuo Nakagawa who would direct the next two films in the series Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu the Fugitive. Visually Female Demon Ohyaku is the most haunting and surreal looking of the three with its stark use of black and white.
The next two films in the series Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu the Fugitive are directed by Nobuo Nakagawa who also directed films like Jigoku and Snake Woman’s Curse. Visually Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu are nightmarish tales which greatly benefit from the use of color and the vividness of the color at times rivals that of a Technicolor dream.
All three films feature many swordfights and each one is done with the utmost care. They are drawn out visually for maximum appeal and of course to build as much tension as possible. Both actresses Junko Miyazono and Reiko Oshida show that they can more then hold their own with their male counterparts. Another thing is that all three films feature an ample amount of torture and rape. The rape scenes are not as graphic as they would become in later Pinky Violence films. While the torture scenes are on par with the most graphic and disturbing to ever appear in a Pinky violence film.
The performances of actress Junko Miyazono in all three films is what really makes these films work and so enjoyable. She has an out of this world beauty about her that transcends your typical actress. Also her prowess in action scenes and with swords makes her even more imposing and believable. Actress Reiko Oshida who appears in the last tow films in the series Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu the Fugitive as Okatsu’s sidekick also gives a strong performance. Reiko Oshida at the same time she worked on these two films she had just begun working on Delinquent Girl Boss series.
Ultimately all three films feature strong stories about revenge which all feature copious amounts of torture, rape and carnage.
- 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen (All three Films)
- Shot on 35mm (All three Films)
- Transfer is Progressive (All three Films)
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Mono Japanese with English subtitles (All three Films)
Extras:
- Trailers for Female Demon Ohyaku, Quick-Draw Okatsu, Okatsu The Fugitive (in Japanese with English subtitles)
- Each film comes with an audio commentary with Japanese film expert Chris D.
- Nobuo Nakagawa Poster Gallery and Biography
- a printed essay of the female swordplay cinema by Chris D.
- Reversible cover with original Japanese poster artwork
Overall:
All three transfers’ looks absolutely gorgeous with only Female Demon Ohyaku showing any flaws and the ones that show up are very minimal. The other two films Quick-Draw Okatsu & Okatsu the Fugitive which are both in color looks vivid and razor sharp as the source material must have been nearly flawless. Female Demon Ohyaku the only one of the three films shot in Black & white has superb shadow detail and contrast looks dead on. All three films come with only one audio option Japanese and English subtitles have been included. The main extra for each feature is an audio commentary with Chris D. who at times just reflects or recounts what is going on in between the moments where he injects some obscure trivia about the film. Synapse Films continue to amaze me with each new release there work on Female Demon Ohyaku, Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu The Fugitive ranks among their best work to date, highly recommended.
Note: Female Demon Ohyaku, Quick-Draw Okatsu and Okatsu The Fugitive are all only sold separately.