Inside Deep Throat (2005)

More than 30 years after Deep Throat's provocative debut, this documentary examines the legacy that the most profitable film of all-time left on society.

Directors:

Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

Writers:

Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Gerard Damiano, Linda Lovelace

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	Narrator (voice)
Gerard Damiano	...	Himself
John Waters	...	Himself
Larry Flynt	...	Himself
Erica Jong	...	Herself
Ruth Westheimer	...	Herself (as Dr. Ruth Westheimer)
Dick Cavett	...	Himself
Camille Paglia	...	Herself
Linda Lovelace	...	Herself (archive footage)
Hugh M. Hefner	...	Himself (as Hugh Hefner)
Bill Maher	...	Himself
Norman Mailer	...	Himself
Charles Keating	...	Himself
Alan M. Dershowitz	...	Himself (as Alan Dershowitz)
Larry Parrish	...	Himself

Storyline

In 1972, a seemingly typical shoestring budget pornographic film was made in a Florida hotel, "Deep Throat," starring Linda Lovelace. This film would surpass the wildest expectation of everyone involved to become one of the most successful independent films of all time. It caught the public imagination which met the spirit of the times, even as the self appointed guardians of public morality struggled to suppress it, and created, for a brief moment, a possible future where sexuality in film had a bold artistic potential. This film covers the story of the making of this controversial film, its stunning success, its hysterical opposition along with its dark side of mob influence and allegations of the on set mistreatment of the film's star. In short, the combined events would redefine the popular appeal of pornography, even as more cynical developments would lead it down other paths.

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Plot Keywords:

deep throat | mob | oral sex | porn industry | politics | 

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Taglines:

It was filmed in 6 days for 25 thousand dollars. The government didn't want you to see it. It was banned in 23 states. It has grossed over 600 million dollars. And it is the most profitable film in motion picture history.

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 2005 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Dentro de Garganta Funda

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$88,709 (USA) (11 February 2005)

Gross:

$653,621 (USA) (15 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, HBO Documentary Films, World of Wonder

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filmmakers collected about 800 hours of interview and archive footage.

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Goofs

Early in the film, an unseen projectionist starts the film and we can see the projected image through the projection room window. He carelessly allows the leader to show on the screen. A frame marked "FOOT" is shown. Unless he is running the film backwards, this is wrong. The beginning of a film is marked "HEAD".

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Quotes

Erica Jong: It was based on the idea that all a man had to do was put his penis down a woman's throat and thrust and the woman was as satisfied as the man. Well, guess what?

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Connections

References Scream (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Driving with Linda"
Courtesy of Arrow Productions

User Reviews

Insightful & Important

Deep Throat changed America. It legitimized porn, creating a billion dollar industry in the process, and sent the sexual revolution to dizzying heights. Love it or hate it, Deep Throat was an historical event.

Inside Deep Throat looks back at that amazing phenomenon, it's causes and effects, and how it changed America and the lives of those who made it.

Interviews with Throat director Gerard Damiano & male lead Harry Reems give much insight into the porn biz of those bygone days, a dark world of sex & drug addiction, fly by night productions, and mafia money men. Sexperts Erica Jong, Dr. Ruth & Helen Gurley Brown offer their takes on how society reacted to and was affected by this new sexual openness, while 70s porn queens Georgina Spelvin & Andrea True offer quick sound bites that explain what drew people to the business.

The film covers many bases & covers them well. We see the hypocrisy of Jesus-inspired DAs, who waste millions of taxpayer dollars on frivolous prosecutions of actors, theater managers, and anyone else they see as an easy target in their crusade to "clean up America".

Censorship and free speech issues are discussed by the likes of Norman Mailer, John Waters, Dick Cavett and others, while Gloria Steinen & Susan Brownmiller offer their views on how porn degrades women. Both sides are eloquent and make valid points.

We see the tragedy of Linda Lovelace's wasted life. Unable to escape the stigma of being the film's star, she joined forces with the Women's Movement in denouncing porn. Shortly before her death in a traffic accident, Lovelace briefly returned to the biz because she was flat broke.

Inside Deep Throat is a brilliant film. It takes a time, place and event, a cultural phenomenon of it's day, and puts it under a microscope. Future generations may look at Deep Throat the film and wonder what the big deal was.

Inside Deep Throat explains it all to them.