Caged is a fairly straightforward prison movie. It is set inside a female prison and told from the point of view of a young and innocent female prisoner. The politics inside the prison involving fellow inmates and wardens forms a major part of the film. The loss of innocence is the film's major theme. Eleanor Parker as the innocent young woman is seriously underrated. Jan Sterling from Ace in the Hole also makes an appearance in a small role. The film's final scene when Parker enters a car full of men establishes the complete corruption of her soul.
I had never heard of Parker before I watched this film. She is beautiful and her tortured expressions (like when she tries to save the kitten) made you feel for her. She even shaves her hair off for the role. The actress who played the mean and sadistic warden was very good too.
There are some finely/cleverly composed shots in this film. Like the one right after the prison riot. The head warden is admonishing the rioting females and behind her two junior wardens hold torches which provide the lighting. The warden's face is not visible so even though she is shouting at the prisoners, we don't really know what she is really thinking. It is noir cinematography at its very best.
I had never heard of Parker before I watched this film. She is beautiful and her tortured expressions (like when she tries to save the kitten) made you feel for her. She even shaves her hair off for the role. The actress who played the mean and sadistic warden was very good too.
There are some finely/cleverly composed shots in this film. Like the one right after the prison riot. The head warden is admonishing the rioting females and behind her two junior wardens hold torches which provide the lighting. The warden's face is not visible so even though she is shouting at the prisoners, we don't really know what she is really thinking. It is noir cinematography at its very best.