As a country, the United States is populated by people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. Perhaps this is why we are so darn screwed up. When we look upon our populace as a whole, we appear twisted to the rest of the world as to our priorities as well as our ability to be led like little sheep to the slaughter. Of course, there are a few of us who take the time to think for ourselves, make our own decisions and watch carefully the idiotic perspectives of many of our nation’s leaders… and followers. A perfect case in point is the way we view sex and violence. Not a day goes by that some politician is pontificating about how sex and pornography are ruining our children. While I’ll grant you that there is certainly no reason to subject a younger child to the world of sex as a psychological event, there is a point in their lives where parents need to be the ones to teach them a little something about it.

But as far as adults go, there’s no reason for them not to be able to watch whatever they want in the comfort of their own homes (as long as it doesn’t INVOLVE children or unwilling participants) As far as keeping it away from kids, that is the sole responsibility of the parents… not the government.

What usually gets my goat though, is that these same people who preach the evils of sex don’t seem to have any problem with violence. At any given time, our prime time televisions offer up a myriad of sex and violence, but the only complaints you hear about are the ones aimed toward the sexual content. The mood seems to be that it’s okay for children to watch someone getting shot, stabbed, run over, thrown off a building, or beat into a pulp…… but DON’T under any circumstances let them little ones see to people loving each other in the ‘biblical’ sense. (What was that I said about twisted?)

That said, I’d like to call your attention to a recent film that is part of the Sundance Documentary Collection that is being released by Docurama. The film focuses on one of the most famous porn films, at least in terms of its title… "Debbie Does Dallas: Uncovered." It was the film that your parents did not want you to see and made the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders try to sue.

"Debbie Does Dallas" was originally released back in the 70's, and has since that time become somewhat of a legend. This in itself is odd as I'd have to say that as far as porn films go, it is not an especially good one. (No, I am not a big fan of porn films, but I have seen my share… including this one…) I found the documentary however, to be a fascinating one as it covers the film from many angles. We are introduced to the climate in the United States at the time and how the film was received by audiences, but even more interesting we are shown brand new interviews with many of the film's stars. Many tell a decidedly different story of what life in the porn industry is really like as opposed to the fantasies that are shared by those who have never been around it.

Guys who think it would be the perfect life would probably be surprised to find that it's not all fun, sex and games. As a matter of fact, listening to some of the interviewees reminisce, you get the idea that some of them wish they had never been in the business. Some of them are even interviewed while watching some of the scenes they were involved in and there is a certain amount of embarrassment evident in their expressions and comments.

Now for those of you who are only looking for a little porn in your porn documentary, you'll probably be a little disappointed. Yes, there is a fair amount of nudity, but any of the times that a scene is shown from the original film, it is extremely blurry, so you can't see a thing. There's just enough to give you an idea something is going on, and the scenes make their point, but they are not there to excite or titillate (so to speak).

The DVD from Docurama also includes another short documentary, "Diary of a Porn Virgin" which follows three porn actor wannabes over the course of their journey into making porn films. Even more than the main movie on this disc, the point here is that the world of porn films is not one to be entered lightly. You almost literally have to sell your soul, and few people can really live with the pressure.

I’ll grant you that neither “Debbie Does Dallas: Uncovered ” or "Diary of a Porn Virgin" aren't films for everyone, but I found them to be highly educational about a subject that is prevalent enough that most people should at least know what’s going on with it.

Directed by: Francis Hanley
Extras: Bonus Film - Diary of a Porn Virgin
Specifications: Stereo
Studio: Docurama / New Video
Release Date: 3/14/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating:
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We'll give Debbie Does Dallas Uncovered a B-.