User reviews

What a hoot! There's plenty here to appeal to lovers of many genres. John Vernon's acting is comically inept and the never ending stream of stunning inmates never seems to amaze. Linda Blair exhibits a constant look of concern, especially as the hilarious riot scene takes place. Sybil Danning shines as usual displaying her fine attributes regularly,

Fans of the women-in-prison film genre, your "Citizen Kane" is here. "Chained Heat" contains every stereotyped character, every impossible (or at the very least improbable) plot point, and every bit of risible dialogue you have ever seen and heard in every other women-in-prison movie, pumps them up tenfold, and unleashed them in a never-ending barrage on your senses. And yet for all that, it's a movie that's virtually impossible to dislike. It seems to make up for all it's shortcomings by never, ever being boring, unlike many other examples of the genre. And let's face it, it has a cast for B-movie fans to die for.

I thought this was the greatest "Women in Prison" movie until "Reform School Girls" came along: It presented a gritty, "realistic" (although no real fatsos in this one) look at what our prisons must really be like. Although there was more cold blooded murder in this one, the high camp of "Reform School girls" took much of the edge from this one.

Sybil Danning and Tamara Dobson do great jobs as the leaders of their respective gangs and try to act this one up, but the rest of the cast does not seem to be taking their jobs all that seriously. This film may have one of the best prison riots ever filmed though.

If you cant get "Reform School Girls", but you can get this one, definitely give it a look!

I'm a sucker for 60s and 70s exploitation movies - Russ Meyer, Roger Corman, Jess Franco, Jack Hill, Larry Cohen, all those guys. While there was some great movies made in the 80s, very few exploitation movies from that era reached those dizzying heights. Crud like 'Porky's' and 'Hollywood Hot Tubs' were the order of the day. No thanks! However 'Chained Heat' is simply sensational, comparable to the classics of the genre and will appeal to discerning trash lovers everywhere.

Newbie Linda Blair ('The Exorcist' kid all grown up) enters a tough women's prison, where lesbianism, drug use, racial tension, violence and sneering are prevalent. The white inmates are ruled by tough-talking Erika (Sybil Danning, star of more b-grade nudies than you can shake a stick at), the black ones by tough-talking Dutchess (the fabulous Tamara Dobson of 'Cleopatra Jones' fame). Also in the mix are veterans John Vernon (at his sleaziest!), Stella Stevens, and Henry Silva. The superior cast is one of the things that makes 'Chained Heat' so great. The other is the sheer ludicrousness of it! The best women-in-prison movie I've ever seen. Highly recommended!

Not the best of the WIP's, but not the worst either. I honestly feel guilty laughing at this film considering it had to be career lows for all involved. Yet the acting, dialogue, preposterous scenarios, and the ever present boom mic get to me everytime and certainly add to its bad movie charm. As much of a Linda Blair fan I am, top (or topless) honors go to Sybil Danning. Also, special kudos to Henry Silva, who's the only one in the cast who doesn't play his role too seriously. Viewing, the film now, though, makes me look at Stella Stevens character more closely. She plays the head officer, and I have to wonder if this where Hilary Clinton decided to adopt her current look and demeanor. After all, I'm sure she had to look no further than her husband's video collection to find this film. Not that I'm judging. I've seen it several times myself, and it all makes me wonder what would've happened if Mr. Clinton had been allowed to install a hot tub in the Oval Office. Hmmm.

"Carol Henderson" (Linda Blair) is a young woman who has just been sentenced to 18 months in a very harsh prison on the charge of vehicular manslaughter. When she gets there she is totally unprepared for what awaits her as "Warden Bacman" (John Vernon) is not only corrupt--but due to one of his subordinates named "Captain Taylor" (Stella Stevens)--he is incapable of exercising even the slightest control over some of the more reprehensible situations that develop within the prison. As a result the women are often beaten, sexually abused and sometimes even murdered. And because she is new Carol soon finds herself in the center of it all. Now rather than reveal any more about the story and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was an average "Women-in-Prison" (WIP) movie which certainly had the potential to be much better. Although the cast was pretty good the story itself seemed to jump too quickly from one scenario to another without the necessary development to back them up. Additionally, some of the scenes were simply too unrealistic which caused the film to lose its credibility. On the other hand, this film certainly had its share of eye-candy with Sharon Hughes (as "Val") and Monique Gabrielle ("Debbie") being my personal favorites. Again though, had some of the scenes been more plausible, in addition to having a more thorough setup between them, it could have been a much better movie. As it is, I have to give it a rating of only average.

Ugly women-of-the-cellblock flick rakes the bottom of the midnight-movie barrel, combining pulpy sleaze with the hoariest of girls-in-the-shower clichés. Linda Blair plays an innocent sent to jail (we learn offhandedly she was involved in running over some guy with her car), facing hard time in the Big House with some of the nastiest characters this side of a Russ Meyer pic. Blair is continually pawed at, punched, raped, humiliated and harassed. The dialogue is four-letter-word disgusting throughout, and the flick offers no let-up from its barrage of violence and stupidity. Still, some viewers see this as a camp classic, though perhaps its tongue isn't far enough in cheek. * from ****

`Chained Heat' is a wonderfully vulgar piece of trash that has everything anyone would want in a Women-In-Prison movie: lots of boobs, frontal nudity, lesbian action, drugs, prostitution, rapes, shootings, stabbings, strangulations, and much, much more.

Linda Blair is the naive `heroine' who finds herself in a rather unique penal institution. Apparently, the authorities of the unnamed state in which this story takes place decided they required a lockup reserved almost exclusively for women with `D' cups. (Linda in the movie showed she didn't quite fit this criterion, but apparently some exceptions were made.) Naturally, the prison officials are corrupt to their core (you should see the warden's `playroom') and not above having the women inmates show `good behavior' (if you know what I mean, and I think you do.) There is some animosity between the various factions among the prisoners, but, as one might expect, the girl gangs find a commonality of purpose in the final blow-up toward the end of the movie.

`Chained Heat' is a flick that will stick in your mind long after you've forgotten a lot of other movies.

Sad... really sad. This movie has nothing (hmmm, well maybe Sybil Danning) to keep you watching. It also hurt my eyes to see Linda Blair in this exploitation flick. She certainly deserves better.

So what's the story about? Let's see... Warden John Vernon tapes the inmates in rather inspiring positions, while prisoner Sybil actually runs the prison and little Linda must fight to survive... Sounds like a B-movie, huh? It is.

Another one for the "Unintentionally Funny" file. The boom mike is a co-star, appearing in almost every scene, along with Linda Blair, Sybil Danning, Stella Stevens, Tamara Dobson, Louise Moritz, Edy Williams, Nita Talbot & John Vernon. There are too many hee-larious scene to mention here. If you have not seen this, and enjoy cheap shoddy filmmaking with loads of bad acting and grade Z production values then this one is for you, kids!!! Watch for Linda Blair's rip-away bra!!

A lot of actors have a multitude of good movie roles in their soul. Some, a handful. Others, maybe a couple.

Then there's Linda Blair. "The Exorcist". That's it.

When you see "Chained Heat" and watch Linda Blair in it, you have to wonder what, if anything, was running through her mind.

Certainly not, "Oh boy: Oscar for Best Actress, here I come!"

Just another women in prison film like they used to make for the cheap in the '70s, this one actually has names you may recognize. John Vernon plays the dean... I mean, the warden (with a hot tub in his office; wonder what he told the contractor?), Stella Stevens pops up, even Henry Silva and Louisa Moritz show how bad they needed the work.

And special mention, of course, for our heroine Sybil Danning as a bisexual prisoner who puts the moves on poor Blair. To paraphrase, Sybil is as Sybil does and everything Sybil does is done perfect. Makes you forget what a terrible movie you're watching.

Almost.

Two stars. One for Sybil and another for trying to pass off Linda Blair as a sex symbol. Whatever could have possessed them (get it?)?

CH is a guilty pleasure of camp this is as addictive as Krispy Kreme donuts. It's highly unlikely you've ever been in a prison like this one. This is a film that set a new tradition of prison films where the facilities are infested with corruption by it's staff. Vernon, who did a score of films with Blair, plays the corrupt warden who lives in the prison. His den is one of sex and rape, and he has a video camera to prove it, as well a Jacuzzi, where he makes his pics while having sex with the drug addicted inmates, one tasty scene near the start involving a young blabbermouth phillie who sorrily gets her just desserts. Racial confrontations, lesbianism, violence, murder, this film has it, not even a bad script, either. But deep down we know, this is very far from Oscar status. I liked Henry Silva, who plays a real sleaze, who works with the governor (a really good Stella Stevens). He sneaks the girls out for partying and entertaining dirty old men. I liked how all the prisoners, all came together near the end, compared to all the animus they shared earlier, where finally, after many ugly incidents, they decide to turn things around. These films are so stereotypical of Blair too, who uses a couple of the same lines, she uses in other movies. CH is a guilty pleasure of sleaze, one of the most entertaining flicks of this kind (and there's many others floating around, believe me.

Compared to CAGED HEAT and other womens' prison films, CHAINED HEAT is the ultimate classic of the genre! It's got gruesome violence, a lot of humor, and lots and lots of female NUDITY! Also equipped with a decent story.

Linda Blair is ok in the starring role but the 3 best characters got to be:

1.)John Vernon's prison warden who has a jacuzzi in his office that's never without a sexy inmate. He also tapes his sex-capades with a video camera. GOD I WISH I HAD HIS JOB!

2.) Stella Stevens' prison guard, Taylor, is a real tough bitch who scares new inmates (Blair) and brutalizes the rest with her cruel orders and unorthodox decisions. She also has an erotic side to her when she tries to satisfy her strong sexual urges by deeply falling for one of the warden's buddies who is only using her for his own personal gain. He is, in fact, already serious with the next character who is the best thing in this entire movie...SEX GODDESS SYBIL DANNING!

3.) Sybil Danning's inmate, Ericka, is a georgous and tough woman who runs the entire prison. She makes unwanted passes at Linda Blair, especially in the BIG SHOWER SCENE where beautiful Sybil caresses Blair's shoulder's with warm water and soap. GOD I WISH I WAS LINDA BLAIR AT THAT MOMENT! Sybil has all the power in this movie. She chooses who she wants and desires and who she rejects and harms including one male guard who's crazy about her. Imagine being so close to her at work everyday and not being able to even approach her. TORTURE!

See this movie and you'll very entertained..you'll get some laughs, some gore, a few catfights, and an increase in libido. Enjoy!

Little to no plot, an absolutely boring main character they should have spent more time creating a back story to as she hardly says any lines, because of that the movie is so incredibly uninspired. Whoop dee doo drugs are being smuggled into prison, a rape scene.. racism and corruption. About half way into the movie I gave up on it. It'll take more than a bunch of nude women to finish this garbage movie.

I just seen the full uncut version of Chained Heat. Be sure to catch that one, because the older ones are cut and the Anchor Bay version from around 2006 is heavenly cut.

Not that you are going to miss a thing it's just some blood that is cut out and a fight scene her and there.

Sybil Danning perfectly casted in this WIP flick but just have a look at Linda Blair. Doing well for sure but after The Exorcist (1973) it was downhill with her career and maybe she has the lead but it's low budget. It shows in many ways. No extra lighting. Microphone in a lot of shotto see on-camera (a red one how stupid can you be). But the worst thing for her is that she had to go fully naked here.

A reason why this one is hunted down, only for that for many geeks out there. Otherwise, it's a classic in the genre, it has a real story, and action. Outt there in many versions, so be sure, mine was 1 35 58

Gore 0/5 Nudity 2/5 Effects 0,5/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5

Carol (Linda Blair) is sent to prison for 18 months after accidentally hitting and killing a man with her car. This the kind of prison where the warden (John Vernon) has a hot tub in his office and tough Erika (Sybil Danning) falls for unattractive Blair. And there's the head of guards--Stella Stevens chewing the scenery. Ah the 80s! When sleaze like this was released by major companies and actually played in mainstream theateres! There's the expected shower sequence, lesbianism, murder, rape, drug abuse and tons of swearing. It also has some of the most hysterically bad dialogue I've ever heard in a movie--even for a WIP flick! (Example: Don't walk away from me you chalk-faced whore!) Now this isn't a good movie at all but, in a silly way, it IS fun! It never stops moving and gleefully hits every single cliché straight on. Blair is terrible in this but Stevens, Danning, Sharon Hughes as Val and the wonderful Tamara Dobson as Duchess are just great. Stupid, sleazy and LOADS of fun! I give it a 6. Trivia: For completists--A hook murder has pretty obviously been edited out and I heard a scene where Vernon rapes Blair is missing too.

"Chained Heat" is the women in prison film standard, by which all others must be compared. The story is the familiar innocent ( Linda Blair) wrongly imprisoned. The evil prison warden (John Vernon). The brutal head guard ( Stella Stevens). The queen bee inmate (Sybil Dannning). Throw in Henry Silva and Tamara Dobson, and you have the greatest "B" movie cast ever assembled for a W.I.P. film. The movie's greatest strength besides the cast is that it over delivers in the expected nudity and violence. The greatest weakness is the script which really is nothing more than an add on to get to the nakedness and brutality. Acting by anyone not named above is totally pathetic, but that is more or less a given in this type film. - MERK

This has to be one of my all time favourite sexploitation movies. A stellar cast, over-the-top acting, lots of prison fights and violence, and just enough nudity to give it added appeal. The drive-in theatres here in Toronto held over this classic in '83 and brought it back as an added feature in '84. The sound fluctuates, the boom microphone shows up in parts, and the movie is dark, however, these technical flaws do not take away from the grittiness of this movie, they just add to it. If you are looking for a good "women in chains" movie, this is one of the best.

No women-in-prison film to-date has been able to match the wit, sleaze, and outright gaudiness of this eye candy crowbar classic. Critics in general have dismissed it for years, never giving it the credit for which it deserves within the ranks of its own genre (a common mistake of film critics and dizzy fanboy movie buffs). Only recently have some film guides come around. For example, the recent edition of the Blockbuster Movie Guide rates the film as a modern classic for the genre. NOTE: In the Vestron Video release of Chained Heat those "boom mics" are visible because the film was not matted to its intended aspect ratio of 1:66. In the Japanese matted release (or letterboxed if you will), those boom mics are not visible.

Dubbed by a source as "The Citizen Kane of Prison films", Chained Heat starts off as corny, but soon escalates into a thrill ride full of prison guards as sadistic as the warden and signs off with one hell of a conclusion.

I could give describe the movie from head to toe though it's better that you only have the plot of the movie before seeing it, otherwise the thrill factor will fly out the window.

One thing though, is that certain movies don't capture you instantly and "Chained Heat" is no exception. But don't you just miss the days where movies built up or got nowhere then turned out to be the best thing since sliced bread? I do...

This is one of the best of the women-in-prison (WIP) films.

It features Linda Blair, Sybil Danning, and Tamara Dobson. And, when I say features, I mean features. Also featured are Sharon Hughes, Penthouse Playmate Monique Gabriel and Stella Stevens, as the Captain.

John Vernon is the warden, and his office looks like something you might find at the Playboy mansion, with shag carpeting, a Jacuzzi, an exotic fish tank, a fully stocked bar and mood lighting. Henry Silva, the guy I most like see get it, no matter what movie he is in, is the big boss.

Like all WIP flicks, you have lots of nudity, drug use, prostitution, violence, murder, rape, knife fights, shankings, more rape, racism, corruption, tranny abuse, and more rape.

It all ends when the blacks and whites quit fighting each other, and join together to defeat Danning and her henchwomen.

Classic sexploitation and blaxploitation.