Ikenie fujin (1974)

Director:

Masaru Konuma

Writer:

Yôzô Tanaka (writer)

Release Date:

26 October 1974 (Japan)

Plot:

A woman must endure an extreme ritual when her ex-husband, who has recently escaped from jail, kidnaps her.

Plot Keywords:

Forest | Rope | Abduction | Candle | Rape

Cast

Naomi Tani	...	Akiko
Nagatoshi Sakamoto	...	Kunisada
Terumi Azuma	...	Kaoru
Hidetoshi Kageyama	...	Kiyoshi
Tessen Nakahira	...	Detective Miyoshi
Chigusa Takayama	...	Haru
Tamaki Komiyama	...	Detective Nakai
Saburô Shôji	...	Hunter B
Bunta Tani	...	Hunter A

Also Known As:

Wife to Be Sacrificed (USA)

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color (Nikkatsucolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:(Banned)

Company:

Nikkatsu

Beautiful and sadistic little flick

This was my first Japanese 'pinky' film, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. The film is very short, but it's certainly not sweet as Masaru Konuma's Wife to be Sacrificed features a torrent of sleaze as well as many unpleasant scenes that feature everything from torture to humiliation. The dark and unpleasant atmosphere is matched brilliantly by the isolated location in which most of the film takes place, and this if offset by the stunningly beautiful cinematography used to capture all the nastiness and brutality featured throughout the film. The plot is deliciously simple and focuses on an estranged husband and wife. They split up because he couldn't control his temper, but one day he decides to come back; kidnap his former wife, take her to a remote cabin in the woods and proceed to subject her to a range of tortures and humiliations. At first she resists and attempts to escape, but soon she gets used to her submission and the two manage to build up a new relationship through their sadomasochistic exploits.

The short running time is a plus for the film, as there isn't a great deal of depth to the story - so by keeping it short, director Masaru Konuma is able to adequately focus on just the important elements of the story without bogging it down with lots of needless filler. The film does become quite shocking at times, and the scenes of humiliation in particular are likely to have some of the less well versed viewers squirming. The acting is very realistic, and while the film doesn't require it's actors to delve too far into their characters, it doesn't matter because the fact that you can believe these people is all the film needs. The sex is erotic enough, and the strong focus on sadomasochism gives the film something in the way of originality in comparison to a lot of other porn flicks. The plot does feel a little bit pretentious by the end, but the way it finishes isn't necessarily bad. Overall, I'm sure that this film won't appeal to everyone, but if you're into porn (or 'pinky') films, then I'm sure that you'll find lots to enjoy here!