Story of Prunella (After Hours) Review

Distributor: After Hours Cinema Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Roughie Also known as: The Perils of Prunella, Sex Stalker Run Time: 58 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1982 Director: Phil Prince (as Phil Prinz) Written by: Jane B. Gries Cast: Ambrosia Fox, George Payne, Dixie Dew, Ron Jeremy, Cheri Champagne, Niko, David Christopher, Joey Karson, Martin Patton, Marc Roberts, William Hunt, Phil Prince Voices: Brian O'Hara Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono 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

The Story of Prunella is a twisted tale to come from the demented mind of Phil Prince and is one of the better films that he made during his short career just before the fall of the Avon empire. In this film, convicts 'Quick' Jimmy Connors (George Payne), Victor 'The Knife' Delgado (David Christopher), and Johnny 'The Kid' Mendoza (Martin Patton) escape from East Gate Penitentiary. Paul (Ron Jeremy), a cop who is engaged to Prunella (Ambrosia Fox), and his partner Lou (William Hunt) are assigned to hunt them down. The team of convicts run into Prunella (East Gate Penitentiary warden's daughter) and her mother Denise (Dixie Dew) and take them hostage.

Prince has put together a decent flick making good use of locations, editing, and outdoor scenes to create a nice looking end product. His use of talented actors help as well, most notably Ron Jeremy and George Payne. Payne practically steals the film with the scary intensity that he brings to his role.

The film has some odd sound effects, like the odd laughter at the beginning of Jeremy and Fox's scene. Farting sounds, which also show up in other films by Prince, will also leave the viewer wondering. There are some nice elements of humor mixed in, like with Cyrus Kincade (Marc Roberts), the prison warden, and the rookie prison guard's (Phil Prince) conversation. However, not the previously mentioned fart sounds, which honestly come across as a sad attempt at juvenile humor.

The Story of Prunella is not the most erotic adult film ever made, but it worth watching as a B-exploitation film. The story itself is dark and the majority of the sex scenes fall into the realm of dark as well since they involve rape and forced sex. As is common with Prince's scripts, there is an issue that some of the events happen a little too conveniently. Still though, it is a well crafted little tale which is worth checking out.

After Hours Cinema has done a great job with this release of The Story of Prunella. The film is presented in the full screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The disc offers an interlaced picture that looks nice. There is grain, there are some artifacts and debris present along with some print damage. The color levels are correct, but there is one point where the skin tones come across as white instead of flesh colored. The Story of Prunella is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track which does fine for the material being presented.

After Hours Cinema has included several great extras on the release. There is a feature length commentary track from Brian O'Hara (the editor of the film under the name Maxim H. Houseinbold) with Michael Bowen and Michael Rasco also participating. There are also four minutes of outtakes from The Story of Prunella. Also included on the disc is the 2002 18 minute documentary-short “The Prince of Porn” by Brian O'Hara. Shot in 1983, the documentary gives a brief look into Phil Prince with interview footage of him, along with other Avon staples Bumble Bee (as Honey Bee) and Stella Stevens. Brian O'Hara has also done a commentary track for “The Prince of Porn,” with Michael Bowen also participating. After Hours Cinema has also included “The Avon Dynasty: Revisited,” a booklet on Avon and Prince by Bowen, which is a rebuttal of sorts to “The Avon Dynasty” by Bill Landis and Michelle Clifford that appeared in METASEX.

Over the years, Avon's films have received some rather bad releases, some barely watchable. It is nice to see After Hours Cinema giving The Story of Prunella such great treatment. Not only is the film itself in rather amazing shape, but the extras included on the disc are far more than I ever would have expected. The Story of Prunella isn't for everyone, but if this film is for you, this is a wonderful release.

The Story of Prunella is a roughie from Phil Prince and Avon. The film won't be for everyone but it is one of Prince's better efforts and this release from After Hours Cinema is great.

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