Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Amazon Jail Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 18, 2023

1985’s “Amazon Jail” is an exploitation film, there’s no doubt about it. The primary goal of the Brazilian production is to showcase as many nude ladies as possible, playing to expectations for a women-in-prison picture. This aspect of the feature is certainly prominent during the run time, with the production happy to follow as many unclothed characters as possible. The actual entertainment value of “Amazon Jail” is up for debate, as co- writer/director Oswaldo de Oliveira shows little interest in storytelling with this endeavor, fumbling around with the plot and characters as he tries to provide the vague shape of a prison escape movie without actually putting in the effort to sharpen excitement or define characters. It’s always strange to watch something that’s meant to disturb and titillate become rather dull.

In the middle of the jungle, Edgar (Mauricio do Valle) runs a human trafficking business, maintaining control of young women he’s kidnapped by sticking them in a holding cell, where they await their fates. Edgar is joined by his top enforcer, Helena (Elizabeth Hartmann), who threatens disobedient prisoners with a whip, while his Nephew lusts after Betty (Sandra Graffi), who’s planning an escape with Samantha and Angel (Ligia de Paula). Customers fly in every week to sample the goods, with Edgar forcing the women to submit to client demands, looking to make hefty sales while enjoying the sexual chaos he creates, pulling Helena into his madness. When new arrivals disturb cell order, Betty finally works up the courage to make a move, breaking out of the property with a handful of others. As the women enter the jungle, they’re forced to navigate dangers and deal with temperaments, soon finding local hunters and miners on their trail as they attempt to find freedom.

Edgar is a brute of a man, presenting physical intimidation with his large size and unkempt appearance, and he’s borderline insane, ruling over his compound with wild behavior (the English dub gives him a Robert Loggia-type voice as well). He’s a monster, and he’s ready to make a small fortune with human trafficking, keeping his prizes inside a holding cell made of logs, where semi-innocent types are forced to wait their turn as rich men visit the area to shop for their favorites. “Amazon Jail” lives up to its title for about an hour, exploring the power dynamic around the property, with Edgar growling orders, while Helena carries them out, tasked with keeping the prisoners in line, often via threats of violence. The top brutalizer turns out to be the most interesting character in “Amazon Jail,” with Helena struggling with her sexuality, enduring carnal attention from Edgar, who takes what he wants. However, she’s more interested in the captive women, lusting after them, also volunteering to give them personal attention on the massage table. Nephew is also an undersexed player in the game, trying to get his hands on Betty, who urges the young man to devour her from behind scratchy wood bars, and it’s difficult to tell if the awkward seduction scene with divided lovers is being played for laughs, but it certainly triggers some.

The women are lured into place by promise of employment, only to end up for sale to creepy old men who pop into the area to enjoy a party. “Amazon Jail” covers the festivities in full, with a few stretches of the film devoted to watching the prisoners dance for the customers, keeping de Oliveira’s cameras busy as they cover all the jiggle activity. The feature is very determined to focus on nudity, keeping characters topless as the heat proves to be unbearable, and there’s always a zoom handy to get in close to the action, removing any possible question concerning the ultimate creative goal of the endeavor. There’s a lot of sex going on, with only some of it consensual, giving the raincoat crowd a few dispiriting thrills, and celebratory experiences occasionally turn into orgies. As for a plot, there’s only the basics in dramatic pull, with Betty determined to find a way out of her imprisonment, while Edgar works to make money, bringing in more women to sell, and the new additions have their own way of surviving.

Amazon Jail Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. There's plenty of detail to explore in "Amazon Jail," with most of the cinematography devoted to capturing skin particulars and tattered costuming, along with plenty of perspiration. Jungle experiences are dimensional, and prison settings are textured. Color carries power, with lush greenery and defined skin tones. Body paint displays bring livelier hues. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Amazon Jail Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA offers a default English dub, which provides decently clear dialogue exchanges and broad performance choices. Nothing gets too cluttered here, with defined group activity and hysterics. Scoring supports comfortably. Sound effects are blunt. A Portuguese 2.0 DTS-HD MA track is also included, pulled from a video source.

Amazon Jail Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Fabio Vellozo.

• "Amazon Jail" (13:20, HD) is an interview with actress Elisabeth Hartmann, who shares the formation of her acting career, creating a deep love for performance. The interviewee discusses her position in a burgeoning industry, working with popular directors on various films. Some talk of "Amazon Jail" is included, including Hartmann's time with careless co-stars.

• Interview (23:45, HD) is a video conference chat with actress Vanessa Alves, who began her career with commercial work as a child, eventually graduating to musical performance, ultimately choosing to pursue the life of an actor. Memories from the "Amazon Jail" and "Amazon Jail II" shoots are offered, with Alves reflecting on producer behavior and difficult locations. The sexual content of scenes is analyzed. The interviewee also details other career adventures.

• "The Sadean Woman in Prison" (59:40, HD) is a video essay by Annie Rose Malamet.

• "Latin American Exploitation Cinema" (18:47, HD) is an appreciation piece by Dr. Victoria Ruetalo.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Amazon Jail Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After an hour at Edgar's house, "Amazon Jail" transitions into a survival picture, following the women as they test endurance and take on nature, with one character meeting a poisonous snake during the journey. Hunger and infighting also occur, but there's little outside threat, with de Oliveira moving on from Edgar to deal with trackers after the prisoners, and he makes an unwelcome creative choice by introducing a whole new antagonist in the last 20 minutes of the movie. It's a little disorienting and not interesting, with the film unwilling to build momentum with escape plans, creating dangers for the ladies that could lead to a thrilling conclusion. "Amazon Jail" doesn't have that kind of inspiration, soon paying attention to tedious supporting characters and an overall hunt that doesn't really go anywhere. There's a climatic "dance plan" that's more in line with what de Oliveira is hoping to communicate with the feature, exiting the endeavor with more ogling. He's certainly more assured with such cinematographic obsessiveness than with anything else in the lifeless effort.