Conquest (Digital Playground) Review

Distributor: Digital Playground Edition Details: Standard DVD MSRP: $39.95 DVD Release Date: February 1998 Movie Specs: Genres: Feature Film, Pirates, Classic (1990s Shot on Film), Period Piece Run Time: 112 minutes Rated: XXX Release Year: 1996 Director: Greg Steel, Brad Armstrong Written by: Greg Steel (screenplay, story), Brad Armstrong (screenplay) Director of Photography: Frank Marino, Barry Wood Cast: Jenna Jameson, Vince Vouyer, Shayla LaVeaux, Alex Sanders, Juli Ashton, Brad Armstrong, Asia Carrera, Mark Davis, Kia, Alex Dane, Missy, Michael Wheatley, Sahara Sands, Dic Tracy, Sean Rider (as Sean Ryder), Claudio, Angus MacDuihne, Canmore McBaine, Wayne Crews, Fozzie, E.Z. Ryder, Jim Steel, Lee Garland, Bobby Vitale, Tom Byron, Mickey G., Jim Enright, Anthony Crane, James S. Mitchell (as James Mitchell), Julie Rage, George Kaplan, Olo Tuinei, Randy Christian (as R. Andy Christ), Clarke Irving (as Clark Irving), E.C. Garcia, M.C. Garcia, Paul E. Haug (as Paul Haug), Mark Kulkis, Lionel Jackson, Michael Caine (as Michael 'nova'Caine), Duke Taylor, Ben Bennett, Erik Walter, William Knight, Corbett School, Mike Waymann, Floyd Hardwick, Caesar Kildare, Pat Morgan, Terry Garland, Addem Hawthorne, Bruno, Brett Moses Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Disc: DVD 5 (SS, SL) Special Features: Trailer, Making of, Contact Info DVD-ROM Special Features: none

Synopsis:
Pirate Captain Jack 'Calico' Ransom (Vince Vouyer) is searching for his lover's killer to seek revenge when he ends up taking on stowaway Rachel (Jenna Jameson), who is seeking the same man to avenge the death of her father by his hand, and her friend (Shayla LaVeaux). Meanwhile the Prince of England hires the blood thirsty William James (Brad Armstrong) to remove Calico Jack and his pirates from the sea so his ships can safely sail the high seas.

Video/Audio:
Conquest is presented in the full screen aspect ratio, 1.33:1, which appears to be the original aspect ratio for the film. The video presentation is decent but has some technical problems with it. The picture is occasionally shaky, I don't know if this was a transfer or production problem, but it can be distracting when it occurs. There are also some occasional video glitches and the film is slightly grainy throughout. The color levels are fine. Overall, not a bad video presentation, but not what we have come to expect from a film with Wicked's name on it, even though this disc is put out by Digital Playground, not Wicked.

The available audio track is an English 2.0 Stereo track, which is decent, but could be much better. The biggest problem with the audio track is the default level is low which means that you have to turn up the volume on your stereo equipment. The other problem with the audio track is that even with the volume turned up, some of the dialog can be hard to hear. No other language tracks and no subtitle options are available.

Chapters/Time Code:
There are 30 chapters available from the main menu for Conquest. There is no identification of any sort for the chapters except for the chapter menu. Although it is great that the film has been excellently broken up so that you can access any portion, without any identification as to where the chapters go, they are all but useless. There is a time code for the feature film, so time searching is available.

Special Features:
As for extras, this disc is rather bare but most of the extras included having to do with the feature film. The original trailer for Conquest is included on the disc. There is Conquest: A Behind the Scenes Adventure, which is a rather in depth feature on the making of the film. The contact info is for Digital Playground.

Review:
Pirates, sex, revenge, love, the high seas, and Jenna Jameson; what else could anyone ask for in a porn? Okay, I have to be honest, I like pirate films, so I may have been into this film more than other people might get, but they have done a great job with it. The plot in the film is advanced for an adult film and does far more than just connect together the plot scenes, making this a fun film for viewers who like porn with a plot to watch. However, the plot is in no way on the level of that of a mainstream film, so don't watch this film with huge expectations for the story that won't be met.

The biggest problem that I have with this film is the filming of it. The film is actually filmed on film, a rarity for the time it was produced, which gives it a step up above much of the porn produced around the same time giving it an overall look more like the classics. However, in a big difference between Conquest and the classics, is that the people making this film don't seem to know how to handle using film as their medium. The film is slightly grainy, which indicates that it was filmed on too slow a speed. This problem is overly insignificant as it shouldn't bother the viewer too much. The big problem is with the framing. For porn, this is a big budget film with some elaborate scenes. Unfortunately, much of the detail ends up being lost from these scenes. I am probably one of the minority when I push for more adult entertainment to be filmed in widescreen, but this film is a perfect example of when it should be. This way, instead of the detail being cut from the frame, the full beauty of the scenes could have been seen and the action would have been more impressive.

The cast is practically a who's who of the adult industry at the time and they definitely look great here. The acting is decent, but not what it could be if the cast had been more carefully chosen. Vince Vouyer stands out here as doing a great job with the material presented to him. Jenna Jameson, however, no matter how hot she looks, is in no way a thespian. The sex scenes, as can be expected with an adult cast of this caliber, are hot and the cast interacts well with each other. One issue that may turn some viewers off from the movie is that all the sex scenes utilize slow motion. The sex scenes are relatively tame, so viewers who like nastier sex may not find this film to their liking, but this does open up the film to a potential couples audience. The sexual themes in the film are oral, vaginal and anal sex with lesbianism and anal beads. For viewers who care about such things, there are no condoms used in the film.

On a technical level the film is rather good. The sets are well designed and fit the film perfectly. Some great locations are used that enhance the film. The costumes are great and fit the film perfectly. The music used is interesting, it's not your standard adult film music, but it doesn't entirely fit the content of the film either.

The Money Shot:
Conquest is a fun plot-based adult film that is sure to please fans of tamer sex and porn with a plot. The plot is more developed than most modern adult erotica boasting great sets and costumes. Some viewers may be turned off by the slow motion used in the sex scenes or the developed plot portions of the film. Due to the tame sex, couples audiences may find this film to be perfectly accessible. Viewers who hate a plot will probably find this film not to be of their liking. For those who think the film sounds good to them, I heartily recommend purchasing it as chances are you will find yourself re-watching this title.

Screenshots:

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