Terminal Island (1973) ★★½  

WHENEVER exploitation films of the 1960s and ’70s are mentioned it usually involved male directors.

But an American, Stephanie Rothman, also made a half-dozen or so, including some that emerge in minor classics discussions.

One of those is the 1973 action/drama Terminal Island, principally due to its interesting premise.

It’s set in a California where the death penalty has been abolished and replaced by the alternative of exile to a remote island. Murderers are sent to the island to fend for themselves, resulting in leaders, sides and conflicts being created amongst the small population.

As with most exploitation films a sexual aspect is included, in this case the female prisoners being expected to have sex with the males. Rotham turns this on its head by making most of her female characters as tough as the men.

It’s also known for having an early screen performance by Tom Selleck.

Nothing special, but an interesting oddity.

Watched at home on Shudder.