Skip to main content
Drama Cult Classic

Korean women face cruelty and resistance in a wartime prison under Japanese occupation.

THE GREAT ESCAPE FROM WOMEN'S PRISON

1976 · 1h 30m · R · Drama / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

Yeong-rim and her mother are imprisoned when she refuses the advances of the village's communist supporter, Bong-ju. Bong-ju gets himself appointed the position of warden where the two are secured and becomes increasingly threatening.

▶ Watch Now My List

Quick Answer

What is The Great Escape from Women's Prison about?

The Great Escape from Women's Prison is a 1976 South Korean drama-thriller directed by Jang Il-ho about a Korean mother and daughter imprisoned by Japanese authorities during World War II and facing abuse in a women's prison.

Programmer's Pick

This is women-in-prison cinema with a historical edge: the usual grindhouse tropes filtered through the lens of Japanese-occupied Korea. Expect power plays, political undertones, and the genre’s signature blend of cruelty and defiance—just don’t expect it to pull out all the stops on sleaze.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea during World War II, The Great Escape from Women's Prison follows a Korean family that runs afoul of the occupying forces. The central figures—a mother and daughter—are thrown into a women’s prison governed by Japanese authorities. Inside, they endure various abuses, though the depiction is described as surprisingly restrained for the genre. The situation intensifies when Bong-ju, a local communist sympathizer whose advances were rejected, becomes the prison's warden and imposes additional threats. The film explores themes of incarceration, power, and resistance within a harsh historical context, blending drama with thriller elements as the prisoners confront cruelty and manipulation.

Details & Specs

Director
Jang Il-ho
Writers
Lee Hee-woo, Lee Mun-ung, Sze-To Man
Release
1976
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
South Korea
Language
Korean
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Also Known As
여수 대탈옥, The Women's Great Escape, Excessive Torture in a Female Prison Camp, Yeosu daetalok (original title)

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Jang Il-ho Writers: Lee Hee-woo +2 more
Yoon Mi-ra Yoon Mi-ra Yung Lee Dae-geun Lee Dae-geun Japanese officer Mu Szu-Cheng Mu Szu-Cheng Chang Pei-Shan Chang Pei-Shan Japanese Prince Do Kum-bong Do Kum-bong NS Nam Seok-hun BH Bang Hui-jeong NS Nam Su-jung Wang's close friend

Explore More

Why Cult

Wartime Women's Prison

The rare women-in-prison film set during the Japanese occupation of Korea, bringing a historical twist to the genre’s familiar setting.

Political Intrigue

Prison power dynamics escalate as a rejected communist supporter becomes warden, adding layers of manipulation and menace.

Tame Abuse for the Genre

Though it traffics in violence and cruelty, this film is noted for its unexpectedly restrained approach compared to other exploitation entries.

Female Resistance

A mother and daughter’s refusal to submit sparks the central conflict, highlighting resilience amid oppression.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Refusal of Bong-ju's advances

Threat

Imprisonment and abuse by Japanese authorities and corrupt warden

Effect

Physical and psychological cruelty toward female prisoners

Setting

Japanese-run women's prison in occupied Korea

Questions from the Vault

When was The Great Escape from Women's Prison released? +

The Great Escape from Women's Prison was released in 1976.

Who directed The Great Escape from Women's Prison? +

The Great Escape from Women's Prison was directed by Jang Il-ho.

How long is The Great Escape from Women's Prison? +

The film has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is The Great Escape from Women's Prison? +

The film is a drama and thriller.

Trailers & Clips

You Might Also Like

See All →