Review of Women in Chains

I would say it's a mix up between WOMEN'S PRISON and BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Not less. Take the topic: A female probation officer decides to watch prison system first hand. So, she arranges fake identity with the help of a girl friend of hers - the ONLY person who is aware of that situation. The probation officer actually wants to denounce the "inside" system: brutality, violence, sadistic behaviors, and not only from the inmates...

And, of course, as in WOMEN's PRISON, 18 years earlier, we can find Ida Lupino again, in a sadistic warden character. What a delight !!!

I will not insist on the first rate strength of this movie about inside daily life. As many films of this kind, it's very realistic, fierce but poignant too. Characters are outstanding. I am also pleased to find Jessica Walter, I knew through PLAY MISTY FOR ME. Remember, the waco girl who was in love with Clint Eastwood...

And the link between the feature and Fritz Lang's masterpiece: BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT is the fact that a person - Dana Andrews for instance in Lang's film - wants to denounce something - death penalty for BEYOND... - and the the only person who can testify of his try dies.

So...

For God's sake, don't miss this terrific TV movie. You won't regret it.