1975 Jack Hill's Switchblade Sisters the quintessential American Exploitation Film cult classic

Directed by Jack Hill, Switchblade Sisters (1975) is a quintessential American exploitation film that has evolved into a major cult classic.
Plot: The story follows the Dagger Debs, an all-female high school gang led by Lace (Robbie Lee). Their hierarchy is disrupted when a tough newcomer, Maggie (Joanne Nail), joins the ranks.
Literary Influence: Jack Hill has famously cited Shakespeare's Othello as a primary inspiration for the film's themes of jealousy and betrayal, with the character Patch (Monica Gayle) serving as a gender-swapped Iago.
Cinematic Style: Known for its "grindhouse" aesthetic, it blends multiple exploitation subgenres, including girl-gang action, women-in-prison drama, and political militant themes.
Tarantino's Role: While initially a box-office failure, it gained widespread recognition after Quentin Tarantino re-released it in 1996 through his Rolling Thunder Pictures label.
Key Cast Members
Robbie Lee as Lace
Joanne Nail as Maggie
Monica Gayle as Patch
Marlene Clark as Muff (leader of a rival militant gang)
The film is celebrated for its campy yet gritty set pieces, particularly the roller rink shootout and the climactic switchblade duel for gang leadership.