Ballgame

Ballgame (1980)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Sexploitation master Erwin C. Dietrich co-directed this "feature" about some female's in a prison who get a softball game going against the guards. The prisoners decide to use their sexuality to try and get some added benefits.

If you're looking for some sort of ground-breaking cinema then you certainly won't find that here but at the same time, if you're looking for some sleazy fun, well, you're really not going to find that here either. BALLGAME pretty much offers up a lot of nudity and sex but there's very little entertainment to be had here.

Ann Perry-Rhine was also in the director's chair and who knows whether she or Dietrich were calling the shots. The film is rather weird as the majority of the sex scenes are softcore but there are a few shots of oral sex given but it seems rather unclear just what type of sex picture they were going for.

What limited plot there is borrows from THE LONGEST YARD with only the sport changing of course. At just 76-minutes there's not as much plot as that film as we're pretty much just given the sex and a few jokes about the mean warden. Overall there's just not enough here to really warrant watching it unless you want to see everything Dietrich was involved in.

🎥 Ballgame (1980), directed by Erwin C. Dietrich and Ann Perry, is an exploitation film that blends the genres of sports and women-in-prison. Set in a prison where female inmates form a softball team to compete against the guards, the film attempts to explore themes of power, sexuality, and rebellion. However, its execution and overall impact fall short, resulting in a mixed reaction from viewers.

The concept of female prisoners using their softball team as a means to assert their power and challenge the guards is an interesting premise. However, the film fails to fully develop its characters and plot, leaving the audience with shallow and underdeveloped storylines. The characters lack depth and the plot is predictable, which makes it difficult for viewers to become emotionally invested in the narrative.

The performances in Ballgame (1980) are generally unconvincing and lack the emotional depth needed to make the characters believable. This may be due in part to the direction, which seems to prioritize exploitation over substance. The film's co-directors, Erwin C. Dietrich and Ann Perry, seem to focus more on the salacious aspects of the story rather than the emotional and dramatic elements.

The cinematography in Ballgame (1980) is competent but unremarkable. The film's production design is adequate, with sets and costumes that effectively convey the prison setting. However, the overall visual presentation of the film is uninspired and does little to enhance the viewing experience.

The soundtrack and sound design in Ballgame (1980) are forgettable and do little to enhance the overall mood or atmosphere of the film. The music doesn't add any emotional depth to the scenes, and the sound effects are standard and unremarkable.

In conclusion, Ballgame (1980) is a mixed bag of exploitation and sports that fails to fully capitalize on its intriguing premise. The film's shallow characters, predictable plot, and uninspired direction result in a lackluster viewing experience. While the concept has potential, the execution leaves much to be desired.

Despite its flaws, Ballgame (1980) may still appeal to fans of exploitation cinema or those interested in the unique blend of sports and women-in-prison genres. However, for most viewers, the film is likely to be a disappointment.