Debauchers Review

Reviewed by fu_q  on  9/5/2016

**Note – This review is based upon the web version of the film available for streaming and download at gamelink.com. As such, any bonuses haven’t been given a rating, and there could be some discrepancies between this version and other releases.**

Review:
Things go terribly wrong for an unsuspecting young woman, Tina Russell, when she finds herself as the key player in an "experimental film" that's been advertised in the local newspaper. Indeed, the intentions of the slovenly, rich lunatic making the film at his secluded mansion are anything but good, as he indulges in his sick and twisted desires, all at Tina's expense. Such is the case in "Debauchers", a decent, 1971 release from Video-X-Pix and director Sidney Knight. Starring the lovely and stunning Tina Russell, the "original porn star" and Pennsylvania beauty who came to a tragic end, this film represents a very early one in the history of adult. Indeed, the tone really hadn't been set yet for the industry when this flick was made, and it shows. In essence, it finds itself as something of a cross between a semi-hardcore porn film and a softcore, low-intensity "roughie", with sex that isn't shot as explicitly as it might have been a year or two later, but featuring intimidation and coercion--especially psychological--among its themes. The acting is passable enough (seemingly-improvised, back-and-forth dialogue abounds), though not spectacular, as is the disturbing plot. The sex is fairly tepid and not very explicit, either, but seeing Tina in such an early role is its own positive and helps make the endeavor more or less worthwhile. All things considered, this production probably won't be for everyone, particularly those looking to get off to a porno, but it is recommendable to a limited slice of the porn-viewing community, from a historical curiosity perspective if nothing else.

In terms of the sex, Scene One pairs up the onscreen (and real life) couple of Jason and Tina Russell on their sofa, after they've decided that Tina will call about a want ad that she's found in the paper for an "experimental film" (oral, softcore vaginal). In Scene Two, the "filmmaker", Claude Rube, scares Tina out of her red evening gown and then plies her with money to get her to pleasure herself for him and his lens (fingers ; shot at a distance from a side angle). Scene Three brings together Tina and Jason again (after he's been bought off), this time as Claude films them both. Claude's presence is a constant distraction, and the action is quite soft. Partway through, the maid, Daria Barton, and the chauffeur, Terry De Lane, are beckoned in, and they go at it 69'ing one another (hardcore) and then fucking (softcore) next to Jason and Tina. There's one brief insertion shot toward the end (Jason and Tina?), but that's about it. In Scene Four, Tina--who's now being held captive against her will and finds herself in a state of desperation--seduces Claude's older, live-in psychiatrist, Daniel Harin, in an attempt to get his help. She blows him a bit, and he returns the oral favor before slipping it to her (some hardcore insertion shots). The old guy's lucky that he didn't have a coronary, being with Tina and all...

(Note: The Rialto Report recently put together an exceptional podcast detailing the all-too-short life of Tina Russell that, porn fan or not, should not be missed. With its rare interviews and attention to detail and uncovering the truth, it's a work of true scholarship. ...link...)