As many other reviewers have noted, SCHOOLGIRL IN CHAINS definitely draws parallels between other notable films such as (most obviously) PSYCHO and THE Texas CHAINSAW MASSACRE. The title is a bit more lurid than the content would reflect, but despite the almost "made-for-TV" look of the film, there is a strong underlying current of sleaze in this well-made exploiter.
John and his slow-witted brother Frank spend their time kidnapping and keeping young women in their cellar as "pets" for various juvenile games. The brothers have a skewed vision of women based on their mother's teachings that all young, pretty women are "evil". John's strong, incestuous ties to his mother keep him from ever nurturing a "normal" relationship with a woman, and Frank's mental-deficiencies do the same. The brother's little "harem" is eventually exposed when the duo kidnap a psychology student who is having an affair with a professor. The professor finds a clue after his lover's abduction and puts the pieces together to track the abductors back to their lair...
Though the title SCHOOLGIRLS IN CHAINS may bring to mind images of top-heavy vixens in S&M scenarios - the film itself is actually quite different. It's a well-made and pretty well-acted slice of grindhouse style cinema that is carried more by its implied "nastiness" as opposed to a lot of graphic sex or violence. To be sure, there are some "strong" scenes in the film - but although there are depictions of rape, murder, abuse and heavy incest themes - none of these aspects are portrayed very graphically. Personally, I would have preferred the film to be a bit more "explicit", but even without extremely graphic depictions of the aforementioned acts, the film works well on most levels. There are some genuinely creepy scenes, and I found that the score, which often contained odd renditions of children's songs (used especially when Frank was "playing" with the girls - thus mirroring his childishness) was fitting and dark. The pacing is also well done, as the film itself never really gets dull. Overall, a solid exploit entry that handles the sleazy content with a serious tone - worth a look to exploit fans as it's also a seemingly rare find of a film...8/10
John and his slow-witted brother Frank spend their time kidnapping and keeping young women in their cellar as "pets" for various juvenile games. The brothers have a skewed vision of women based on their mother's teachings that all young, pretty women are "evil". John's strong, incestuous ties to his mother keep him from ever nurturing a "normal" relationship with a woman, and Frank's mental-deficiencies do the same. The brother's little "harem" is eventually exposed when the duo kidnap a psychology student who is having an affair with a professor. The professor finds a clue after his lover's abduction and puts the pieces together to track the abductors back to their lair...
Though the title SCHOOLGIRLS IN CHAINS may bring to mind images of top-heavy vixens in S&M scenarios - the film itself is actually quite different. It's a well-made and pretty well-acted slice of grindhouse style cinema that is carried more by its implied "nastiness" as opposed to a lot of graphic sex or violence. To be sure, there are some "strong" scenes in the film - but although there are depictions of rape, murder, abuse and heavy incest themes - none of these aspects are portrayed very graphically. Personally, I would have preferred the film to be a bit more "explicit", but even without extremely graphic depictions of the aforementioned acts, the film works well on most levels. There are some genuinely creepy scenes, and I found that the score, which often contained odd renditions of children's songs (used especially when Frank was "playing" with the girls - thus mirroring his childishness) was fitting and dark. The pacing is also well done, as the film itself never really gets dull. Overall, a solid exploit entry that handles the sleazy content with a serious tone - worth a look to exploit fans as it's also a seemingly rare find of a film...8/10