Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Schoolgirls in Chains Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 3, 2017

Granted, no one expects spectacular, meaningful things from a movie titled “Schoolgirls in Chains,” but what’s wrong with a little pace? The 1973 effort from writer/director Don Jones isn’t short on salacious material, but basic screen energy is sorely lacking from this tepid sexploitation endeavor. Merging gratuitous nudity with profound mental illness, “Schoolgirls in Chains” is slow to boil, taking pleasure in exposing kinky business and violence, while its overall thrust as a chiller of sorts is underwhelming as Jones tries to make shock value meaningful with a psychological study that’s poorly conceived.

Suggesting there’s a plot to “Schoolgirls in Chains” (which doesn’t contain any schoolgirls and only a few chains) is being nice, but this tale of backwoods imprisonment isn’t eager to undertake any significant dramatic challenges. It’s tale of fractured brothers (driven to full corruption by their mother and her incestual interests) and their organized plan of kidnapping and rape, with Jones trying to turn the effort into a thriller by focusing on resistant victims and their iffy escape plans. It’s all ridiculous, but that’s generally the point for most of the movie, which does away with taste and speed to linger on ugliness, boring viewers with real-time games of hide and seek and doctor, just to reach the magical 90 minute run time.

Schoolgirls in Chains Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Schoolgirls in Chains" brings out the best the grungy picture can offer, providing valuable detail when working through the feature's daytime encounters. Close-ups looks sharp, with strong facial particulars and make-up limitations, and locations are open for survey, handling distances well. Colors retain the period reach, with agreeable hues on costuming and greenery, and skintones are natural. Delineation is secure. Whites look a little bloomy at times. Grain is filmic. Source doesn't encounter overt damage, with only mild speckling and scratches detected.

Schoolgirls in Chains Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Age is apparent during the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, with dialogue exchanges hitting sharp highs, but intelligibility remains stable, permitting these strange performances clarity throughout. Soundtrack cuts aren't precise, but they sound appealing, with secure vocals and acceptable instrumentation. Atmospherics are limited but register without concern.

Schoolgirls in Chains Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Don Jones and R.A. Thorburn.

• Commentary #2 features Jones and actor Gary Kent.

• Commentary #3 features Jones and cinematographer Ron Garcia.

• Featurette (11:33, SD) is a 2008 conversation with Jones and Kent about "Schoolgirls in Chains," with the men sharing different views on the finished product. Kent sincerely compares the movie to a "European art film" (oof), and discusses the psychological aspects of the screenplay and the performances. Jones is blunt, almost dismissing the effort as he recalls casting choices, the picture's strange title, and troubles with actress Cheryl Waters's boyfriend, who tried to thwart nude scenes.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:07, SD) is included.

Schoolgirls in Chains Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Schoolgirls in Chains" doesn't aim for regality. It's sleaze, but incredibly dull screen sickness, only coming alive in the third act when revenge plans take command, and Jones's "Psycho" influences are more pronounced. While the title promises something intriguingly grotesque, Jones doesn't have the imagination and budget to truly take viewers for a creepy drive-in cinema joyride.