After the grim opening reel, featuring various forms of torture and rape, an actual plot sets in and our female prisoners goes on the run for a gold treasure. What becomes an examination of patriotism and the film's characters is in reality very slight but more or less serviceable. The biggest flaw in the great looking framework is that of pace and length though. Which is ironic since prior to the IVL dvd, an edited down, English dubbed version was the only viewing option available. While I can't vouch for how that edit in particular plays, I can easily see where material could've been excised, based on the Hong Kong version. Kuei isn't furthering any themes or characters during the hunt that takes up much of the second half and it lacks spark.

Exploitation elements do come off in a fairly strong way however and despite the Cat IIb-rating, unless it's another misprint which was the case of The Killer Snakes dvd, there's much flesh and gritty violence on display. Certainly destined to grow into even more of a cult classic, Kuei Chieh-Hung thankfully rebounded the year after with the bleak The Killer Snakes. Bamboo House Of Dolls does pale in comparison, in many ways...

Lau Wai Yue, reportedly in her feature debut, is memorable as the lesbian warden and Lo Lieh offers up some fine screen presence (was there anyone more dependable?). Danish starlet Birte Nove, sharing main billing here with Lo Lieh, also appeared in Lui Kei's Sexy Girls Of Denmark, also at Shaw's. Chan Sen and Fan Mei Sheng can also be spotted amongst the supporting players.