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Crazy doctor lady giving me syphilis sound like a good time?  Well I got a movie for you.

I’m constantly looking of films that fall outside the mainstream.  Cult and underground cinema has intrigued me for as long as I can remember.  One sub-genre that I’ve stumbled upon over the past few years has been the pinku films from Japan.  With its blend of film noir, sexy women and saucy tales, the films are custom made for my tastes.  Madame O is a great example of the pinku films.  A little sleazy and a little violent, Madame O is a stylish thriller that should fill any grindhouse fans needs.

Successful physician Seiko has been able to overcome a violent past where she was brutally raped by three boys who left her pregnant and syphilitic.  Now she prowls the street after work looking for men who she feels is scum.  After sleeping with them, she injects them with syphilis and goes on her way.  When she meets a nice guy and settles down, she thinks she can put her past behind her but even nice guys aren’t what they seem.

Director Seiichi Fukuda mixes back-and-white footage with color creating an odd blending of bright colors and film noir.  Filled with graphic blood spraying and topless women, Madame O is a classic for any fan of cult or exploitation films.  Long thought lost, Synapse found what is probably the only remaining copy in existence in the U.S. and lovingly restored it.  Since this is the version released in the States it has been dubbed into English and the Japanese language track is for now, lost to history. 

Extra wise, there isn’t much here.  The American trailer and an informative one page liner note that covers the film’s sordid history and some biographical details about the director are all you’ll find.  But that’s better than nothing and the liner notes are very packed full of details.

Like most pinku films, you never know what you’re going to get when you pop one in. Madame O is a great time and loads of fun.  Synapse Films have done a great job with the release and once again prove why they are leading the pack on quality underground DVD releases.  This will be a must own for cult film collects and a solid rental for people wanting to find out more about pinku films.

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