Private Pleasures Of John Holmes, The (Gentlemans Video) Review

Distributor: Gentlemen's Video Edition Details: Special Edition Director's Cut DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Gay Also known as: The Private Pleasures of John C. Holmes, John Holmes: The Man Run Time: 80 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1984/1999 Director: J.J. English, Sid Roth Written by: J.J. English, John Holmes (as John C. Holmes) Cast: John Holmes (as John C. Holmes), Joseph Yale (as Joey Yale), Chris Burns, Tim Coffee, Jeff Covis, Bob Omes, Rocky DiAngelo, Lee Jones, Doug Browning, Steve Collins (as Victor Young), Jerry Thomas, Johnny Dawes, Jerry Davis, Sharon Kane, Misty Dawn, Colby Douglas, Doug Raymond, Steve Douglas, Abdul, Chi-Chi, Les Johnson, Max Corral Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD-R Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

The Private Pleasures of John Holmes is, to the best of my knowledge, the only feature length gay film ever made by John Holmes and as a result is likely to be of curiosity factor to both straight and gay oriented individuals. There are rumors that John Holmes made gay loops as well. He made at least one softcore gay loop, which is included on the disc as well. This release contains the 1999 Director's Cut of the film which has been re-edited by Sid Roth, and according to scrolling text at the opening J.J. English as well.

The scrolling text claims that the original release was rushed and was not the film originally conceived by J.J. English and John Holmes. The scroll goes on to state that this is the version that was originally shot and conceived. Honestly I don't believe any of the scrolling text. The scroll indicates that John Holmes and J.J. English wanted to create the “ultimate gay film,” which this film clearly is not. In addition, it looks like very little footage was added to the film — I am assuming that the footage that has a different color tone to it is the added footage — and I am not sure what, if anything, was cut from the original release. Also some of the scenes may have been moved around from the original release.

It is probably important to note at this point that this review is from the point of view of a straight reviewer so viewers of gay orientation may end up with a different take away from the film. That being said, The Private Pleasures of John Holmes is an awful film on all levels. Despite trying to look like a plotted feature, the film is a wall-to-wall sex film. A brief portion of text at the beginning sets the scene at a good Sultan's (John Holmes) palace. Then the film goes into the numerous sex scenes which continue until the end. There are sentences uttered by cast members here and there to advance from one scene to the next. None of this even begins, even on the most minimal level, to come close to anything that could be called a plot.

While the rest of the cast seems to be into the scenes and trying to perform as best as possible. John Holmes is clearly not into his scenes at all. It looks like he was forced to be there and from how the film was made it looks like this a known problem from the start. All of his lines during the sex scenes are clearly dubbed in afterwards. In addition astute viewers will notice that one of the “men” seated by John Holmes, who he beckons to at the beginning of his scenes, is actually Sharon Kane dressed and made up to look like a male. I don't know if in the original version she sexually performed with John Holmes, if so any sexual footage has been excised from the director's cut. Astute viewers will also notice that in at least two scenes, during portions of the scenes, John Holmes is actually having sex with Misty Dawn — her swinging breasts in one scene really give that fact away ” dressed to look like the male in the scenes. That being said, John Holmes does have sex with males as well within the film. Always as the top, never as the bottom, and receives, but does not give, blow jobs. While the actual gay portions of the scenes may be of interest to some viewers, I don't see how they could be arousing since John Holmes is so clearly not into performing with the male cast members.

The sets, what limited ones are present, are obviously cheaply and quickly assembled. The editing is choppy and looks sloppy and hastily done. There are some odd visual effects used, like in the first scene where the screen is split and there is a mirror image on both sides of the screen. Honestly, this film didn't come across as the ultimate anything, just a cheap and quickly assembled director's cut of a cheap and quickly shot film that was made to capitalize off the star's name.

Gentlemen's Video has done a rather poor job with this release. The disc contains only the 1999 re-edit by Sid Roth of The Private Pleasures of John Holmes. Although originally shot on film, the master used for this disc was clearly video and contains grain, video glitches, and dirt. The color tones change in some shots, I am assuming this is the added footage for the director's cut. The picture is soft and some scenes are very murky. The film is presented in the full screen aspect ratio. The film is presented with a Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track, which is a little low, but other than that acceptable.

There is only one extra included on the disc. After the feature film, there is a 13 minute softcore gay loop featuring John Holmes and another male that is claimed to be from 1972. The loop is in better condition than the feature film. The loop is Mike Diamond loop HB7-KA2 “Phil & His Trick” from 1969 directed by Mike Diamond and starring John Holmes and Dave Harris, which is also known as “Just Good Friends.” The video itself claims there is a photo gallery with production stills, but that is no where to be found.

Given that this film is likely to only appeal for historical or curiosity factor, it is unfortunate that Gentlemen's Video didn't create a release that would work as such. Only the 1999 re-edit is on the disc. It would have been nice if both the original version and the 1999 re-edit of the film were included and it would have been nice for them to have been mastered from an actual print. It also would have been nice to have had some real information on the film, how it was created, the use of “body doubles,” etc that would have added to the historical aspect of the disc. As it stands, I see this release being of little use to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

The Private Pleasures of John Holmes is notable because it is the only gay film to have starred John Holmes. Because of this, straight and gay oriented viewers may find some curiosity in the title, however because of the cheap nature of the film, John Holmes' obvious lack of enjoyment, and poor transfer, I can't recommend this release for anyone.

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