Quite involving, entertaining 70s era trash that, like some other movies of its kind, actually successfully combines both exploitation and empowerment of women. A quintet of very angry females have something in common: they've all been raped by the same orange jump suit and hockey mask wearing lowlife whose greatest thrill is forcing them to sing "Jingle Bells". He clearly thinks of himself as some irresistible stud; to them, he's just a monster that needs to be stopped, and NOW, before more women can be hurt. They learn that depending on the police to do their job won't be of any use.
One can't fail to notice the often very dim view that this screenplay (by David Kidd (billed as 'Betty Conklin'!) and H.R. Christian) takes of men: they're either scum or they're inept. Even the boyfriend of one of our vengeance crazed ladies doesn't feel much sympathy for her. Now, personally speaking, when this viewer sees a rape-revenge movie, it's the revenge portion that should really make it work for him, and the revenge is worth waiting for, if a long time coming. Along the way, though, we do get treated to the sight of two red herrings getting humiliated in blatantly comedic sequences.
Our merry rapist is quite the character, putting a lot of effort into his stalking and even taking the trouble to record his thoughts on tape! When he gets wind of the ladies' activities, he does an amusing job of messing with them and getting them to head where he wants them to go.
For those viewers who are demanding the requisite amount of female flesh, they can note the amount of breasts that are put on display. But it's really the main characters that keep the whole thing very watchable; they're easy enough to root for. The cast includes a bunch of lovely ladies, including Jo Ann Harris as our spunky lead, and a number of other familiar faces from 70s cinema: Peter Brown, Connie Strickland, Tony Young, Joan McCall, Penthouse Pet Anneka Di Lorenzo, and Marie O'Henry, as well as future 'Dallas' actor Steve Kanaly.
The direction by Bob Kelljan (whose other work for A.I.P. includes "Scream Blacula Scream" and the two "Count Yorga" movies) keeps things moving along nicely. Only the finale, in which the ladies rather senselessly just head right into danger, and allow themselves to be separated (as well as the somewhat contrived way to get the rapist to remove his hockey mask and therefore make himself identifiable), detracts a little from the enjoyment. But overall trash fans are certain to have a good time watching this.
Eight out of 10.
One can't fail to notice the often very dim view that this screenplay (by David Kidd (billed as 'Betty Conklin'!) and H.R. Christian) takes of men: they're either scum or they're inept. Even the boyfriend of one of our vengeance crazed ladies doesn't feel much sympathy for her. Now, personally speaking, when this viewer sees a rape-revenge movie, it's the revenge portion that should really make it work for him, and the revenge is worth waiting for, if a long time coming. Along the way, though, we do get treated to the sight of two red herrings getting humiliated in blatantly comedic sequences.
Our merry rapist is quite the character, putting a lot of effort into his stalking and even taking the trouble to record his thoughts on tape! When he gets wind of the ladies' activities, he does an amusing job of messing with them and getting them to head where he wants them to go.
For those viewers who are demanding the requisite amount of female flesh, they can note the amount of breasts that are put on display. But it's really the main characters that keep the whole thing very watchable; they're easy enough to root for. The cast includes a bunch of lovely ladies, including Jo Ann Harris as our spunky lead, and a number of other familiar faces from 70s cinema: Peter Brown, Connie Strickland, Tony Young, Joan McCall, Penthouse Pet Anneka Di Lorenzo, and Marie O'Henry, as well as future 'Dallas' actor Steve Kanaly.
The direction by Bob Kelljan (whose other work for A.I.P. includes "Scream Blacula Scream" and the two "Count Yorga" movies) keeps things moving along nicely. Only the finale, in which the ladies rather senselessly just head right into danger, and allow themselves to be separated (as well as the somewhat contrived way to get the rapist to remove his hockey mask and therefore make himself identifiable), detracts a little from the enjoyment. But overall trash fans are certain to have a good time watching this.
Eight out of 10.