Chain Gang Women (1972) Reviews

A model prisoner and a desperate thug become unwilling partners in this low-budget action picture. Weed (Michael Sterns) is patiently waiting out the last six months of a sentence for dealing marijuana when he loses his job in the prison library and is put on a rural work gang. Weed finds himself chained to fellow prisoner Harris (Robert Lott), who is serving life for rape and murder. Angry and violent Harris is determined to escape, and when he attacks a guard, grabs a gun and goes on the run, Weed has little choice but to join him. Weed leads Harris to the home of his girlfriend Ann (Linda York), who gives the escapees a place to stay while they plot their next move. Harris shows his true colors by raping Ann while Weed sneaks into town for supplies, and when the convicts' plan to leave the state goes awry, Weed sends her away while they make their own way. Harris and Weed happen upon the home of an elderly farmer (Ralph Campbell) and his much younger wife (Barbara Mills), but while the bride is looking for a way out of her life in the country, the farmer isn't about to let the bandits take his woman. Noted exploitation kingpin Lee Frost served as writer, director and cinematographer on Chain Gang Women, which despite its title only features two women in its cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi