WWW- It was filmed in just six days on a budget of just $250,000. It grossed over $600 million becoming the most profitable film ever made. It was banned in 23 states. It sparked new legislation and a cultural revolution. The film was “Deep Throat”, www.xxxdeepthroat.com and “Inside Deep Throat” takes a closer look at a film the government didn’t want you to see.
“Inside Deep Throat” is a documentary covering the highly controversial 1970s hardcore porn film “Deep Throat.” It features only a few scenes from the actual movie but does show Linda Lovelace’s special trick from which the film got its name. The rest plays out like your average documentary with extensive commentary from the various people involved with the film as well as other well-known personalities incuding Norman Mailer, Wes Craven, Larry Flynt, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Hugh Hefner, and Bill Maher.
The funniest scenes involved the eldery couple of Arthur Sommer and his wife Terry. Arthur was a theater manager in Miami Beach and took a chance on showing “Deep Throat.” The political firestorm had ignited great interest in the film across the country and people flocked to see the film everywhere it opened. “Inside Deep Throat” touches on the mob elements surrounding the porn industry in the 1970s and its hold on “Deep Throat.” Arthur and Terry had a few run-ins with the mob in their day and Terry is none too interested in opening that possibility again. While off-camera, she voices her opinion on whether Arthur should be participating in “Inside Deep Throat.”
The more the government fought the film, the more people wanted to see it. Celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy and Johnny Carson saw it which fueled interest even more. It was fascinating to see how the government’s attempts to shut down the film worked in the exact opposite. By closing down the film in New York, the spread across the country was the only money-making next step. And as governments across the country stepped in, “Deep Throat” simply continued on to city after city after city.
“Inside Deep Throat” also discusses the trial of Harry Reems, the male lead in “Deep Throat.” Director Gerard Damiano and the female lead Linda Lovelace both had immunity. The government was going after the actors in hopes of discouraging others from participating in porn films. “Inside Deep Throat” adds an important human element to the lives of those involved with “Deep Throat.” It shows the varying current conditions under which those involved now live their lives from the aging Damiano to the converted Christian Reems to the deceased Lovelace.
As one of my colleagues put it, it’s “ugly porn” and although a few of the scenes may make some viewers uncomfortable, the DVD is an excellent look at the ramifications of a single decision. No one expected “Deep Throat” to become what it became, although Damiano would disagree. Linda Lovelace, paid just $1200 to star in the film, was likely totally unaware of the everlasting impact the film would have on her life. Harry Reems could never have imagined he would be prosecuted and convicted for his role in a film that should never have become the most profitable film ever made. Theater manager Arthur Sommer wouldn’t have believed taking a chance showing “Deep Throat” would put him in line with the mafia. Single decisions that had intense results.
Bonus Material
“The Binghamton Trial: Cliterally Speaking” examines the first trial of “Deep Throat” in the small town of Binghamton, NY. Over 7 minutes, 15 seconds, this bonus feature looks at the conservative community and how it reacted to the film and the trial. “Beverly Hills: Holly Gets Wood” is just shy of four minutes long and looks at the Beverly Hills trial of “Deep Throat” in liberal California. This feature includes the funniest moment on the entire DVD in which the prosecutor’s wife ponders something about the jury…but I won’t spoil it for you.
At three-and-a-half minutes, “Quincy House: Poison Ivy League” examines the case at Harvard in which the Quincy House decided to show “Deep Throat.” Just over three minutes long, “Princeton: Throat Deep in the Suburbs” shows the reaction in the town of Princeton in which the district attorney refused to stop the film.
“Cut Throat: Where in the World is Bobby DeSalvo” is 2 minutes, 37 seconds long and takes a very brief look into the disappearance of DeSalvo who wanted more money from the mafia. At 2 minutes, 22 seconds long, “Harry Reems’ Athletic Club” looks at a weird fan club of Harry Reems that he didn’t know existed.
The bonus features continue on from there with some more trial coverage and various other features. Most are pretty interesting and the number of different features is quite impressive compared to some other DVDs with 18 different bonus features in all.