Featuring critically acclaimed performances by S&M queen Naomi Tani -- who quickly emerged as one of Nikkatsu's most popular stars -- and Terumi Azuma, this film is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of both the S&M genre and of Nikku Roman Porno as a whole. Of course by today's standards, the film is totally reprehensible. Featuring torture, rape, enemas, necrophilia, and hints of pedophilia, this is a film that would be a tough sell to all but hard-bitten perverts, adventurous cinephiles, or earnest gender-studies graduate students. The film is a freakshow of aberrant sexuality that will, according to one's sensibilities, leave the viewer disgusted or transfixed by the sheer audacity -- and artistry -- of the film. Not unlike Nagisa Oshima's Ai no Corrida and George Bataille's erotic novel Story of the Eye, director Masaru Konuma creates a world dominated by the gleeful transgression of all that society holds dear. Living up to her reputation, Naomi Tani suffers beautifully, giving a complex performance as a captive turned wanton woman while Nagatoshi Sakamoto, with stubbly chin and a face like a wet paper bag, is thoroughly convincing as the sort of guy you wouldn't want to sit next to on a train. Pushing the envelope of artistic boundaries, Ikenie Fujin is a landmark of 1970s Japanese cinema and a film not likely forgotten for the cinematically adventuresome.