FORBIDDEN WOMEN is a court drama made in the Philippines. It's a very low budget production set almost entirely inside a royal court, where low-key drama between the royal family members is interspersed with the typical forms of entertainment including feasting and lots of dancing. It's a traditional enough enterprise with some natty costumes throughout, but the almost entire lack of story makes it a real chore to watch.
4 Reviews
Bland Exploitation
Michael_Elliott12 September 2017
Forbidden Women (1948)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
After studying in America, Prince Singor (Fernando Poe) returns to the South Islands where he plans to become King. The only problem is his evil sister-in-law who plots to have him killed but it doesn't go as planned.
This film was shot in the Philippines and it's pretty hard to judge. It was meant to be an epic tale but I'm not sure if the original film ever got released. It was brought over to America where a producer added a new title as well as a few new scenes and sold it as a roadshow attraction. It was pushed as an exploitation movie with a terrific poster but there's very little shocking material here.
For the most part, as it stands in its current version, the film is pretty bad. It clocks in at just 61-minutes and for an epic film it certainly doesn't feel that way. The biggest problem with the original scenes are the fact that the performances are rather bad and there's certainly nothing fresh or original with the story. How many times have we seen something like this? With nothing new being done there's just not too much here to really hold your attention.
I will say that the costume design and some of the sets are terrific. The actual locations are also a plus but none of this makes the film worth watching. Then we get to the "new" scenes, which include some belly dancing and a torture chamber. Both are so pathetic that you can't help but feel bad for the people who paid to see this back in the day expecting something naughty and instead getting a turkey.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
After studying in America, Prince Singor (Fernando Poe) returns to the South Islands where he plans to become King. The only problem is his evil sister-in-law who plots to have him killed but it doesn't go as planned.
This film was shot in the Philippines and it's pretty hard to judge. It was meant to be an epic tale but I'm not sure if the original film ever got released. It was brought over to America where a producer added a new title as well as a few new scenes and sold it as a roadshow attraction. It was pushed as an exploitation movie with a terrific poster but there's very little shocking material here.
For the most part, as it stands in its current version, the film is pretty bad. It clocks in at just 61-minutes and for an epic film it certainly doesn't feel that way. The biggest problem with the original scenes are the fact that the performances are rather bad and there's certainly nothing fresh or original with the story. How many times have we seen something like this? With nothing new being done there's just not too much here to really hold your attention.
I will say that the costume design and some of the sets are terrific. The actual locations are also a plus but none of this makes the film worth watching. Then we get to the "new" scenes, which include some belly dancing and a torture chamber. Both are so pathetic that you can't help but feel bad for the people who paid to see this back in the day expecting something naughty and instead getting a turkey.
A Poorly Conceived Film
Uriah4313 June 2020
After a lengthy trip abroad "Prince Singor" (Fernando Poe) returns to his remote South Pacific island and requests permission from his father "The Sultan" (Berting Labra) to implement necessary economic changes which will benefit the people living there. Although the Sultan agrees, these changes displease both "Prince Bolinow" (Fernando Rojo) and "Princess Apamena" (Mona Lisa) who subsequently plot to seize power for themselves. To that effect, Prince Bolinow hires some people to kidnap Prince Singor and throw him into a part of the ocean that is heavily shark infested. Meanwhile, Princess Apamena begins to use a slow-acting poison on the Sultan which has a cumulative effect that will eventually kill him over time. It's also during this time that Prince Singor violates his father's strict orders by visiting a building known as the "Golden Chamber" which houses the Sultan's harem thus making it easier for Prince Bolinow to succeed in his plans. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was poorly conceived film which was greatly impacted by bad acting and an even worse script. Likewise, having such a young actor like Fernando Poe performing in a role better suited from someone 10 years older certainly didn't help in that regard either. In any case, I don't consider this to be a good film by any means and I have rated it accordingly.
More or less a classic tale
blumdeluxe26 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Forbidden Women" tells the story of a just sultan who is plotted to get killed by his greedy successor and a few opponents. As his power begins to decrease due to poisoning, it is the task of his young son to keep the people of the country free and defeat the evil traitor.
The movie is really much less of a sex flick than it pretends to be. In its whole structure it reminds me more of some classic stage plays, with a very classic set-up in a monarchy, where fights over power and might turn dirty. In a way it is the same concept that plays like Macbeth are also based on, only without the insanity and over- natural parts. As it is, the movie delivers a solid plot that neither surprises positively nor disappoints. It is good enough however to keep you entertained until the end of the film and manages to build up sympathy for the main heroes of the story.
All in all the film doesn't do much to stay in mind or become a big name in movie history but it was given some thought on and it is produced with enough routine and enthusiasm to pass the test of time and stay enjoyable even some decades later.
The movie is really much less of a sex flick than it pretends to be. In its whole structure it reminds me more of some classic stage plays, with a very classic set-up in a monarchy, where fights over power and might turn dirty. In a way it is the same concept that plays like Macbeth are also based on, only without the insanity and over- natural parts. As it is, the movie delivers a solid plot that neither surprises positively nor disappoints. It is good enough however to keep you entertained until the end of the film and manages to build up sympathy for the main heroes of the story.
All in all the film doesn't do much to stay in mind or become a big name in movie history but it was given some thought on and it is produced with enough routine and enthusiasm to pass the test of time and stay enjoyable even some decades later.
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