Wakefield Poole's Bible! Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Feature Film, Golden Age Classic, Softcore Also known as: Wakefield Poole's Bible!, The Bible, In the Beginning... Run Time: 76 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1974 Director: Wakefield Poole Written by: Wakefield Poole Cast: Bo White, Caprice Couselle, Nicholas Flammel, Georgina Spelvin, Braham van Zetten, Gloria Grant, Dennis Wayne, Bonnie Mathis, Robert Benes, Nancy Wachter, Alison Fields, Dan Johnson, Patti Perkins, Oscar Schulman, Jane Sobel, Willie Hermine, Cathy Hermine, Leopoldo Aldea de Zea, Don Farr, John Parr, Bruce Shenton, Julio Vélez Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Screen, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Bible! is a silent softcore film from noted gay filmmaker Wakefield Poole, which is designed for heterosexuals. Bible! was originally intended to be a hardcore film but Poole changed his mind due to all the controversy at the time going on with Deep Throat. Subsequently, Poole intended to get an R-rating for the film; the film ultimately got an X-rating, despite the lack of hardcore footage.

The first biblical story presented is the story of Adam (Bo White) and Eve (Caprice Couselle), starting out with the “birth” of Adam and his meeting Eve. The only line of dialog that appears within the film is at the end of this scene. The film, utilizing a great transition, then goes into the story of David (John Horn) and Bathsheba (Georgina Spelvin). Starting with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah (Robert Benes) interacting then going into her affair with David. The final story is that of Samson (Braham van Zetten) and Delilah (Gloria Grant), which tells how Delilah removes Samson's God-given superpowers by distracting him so his hair can be cut. There is a brief final fourth story showing the immaculate conception of Mary (Bonnie Mathis) aided by an angel (Dennis Wayne)..

Since the film is silent, the viewer has to watch the visual cues that Poole has put into the film to tell the stories. Poole has combined beautifully shot softcore sequences with humor and homages to many past films and directors for a visual treat, which also shows off the acting talents of the cast. The locations and sets used are beautiful and aid the telling of stories..

Bible! will not appeal to all audiences. There isn't any hardcore footage within the film and watching the film is benefited by knowing the biblical stories that the film depicts. The stories are left to be interpreted by the viewer. Audiences looking for simple masturbation fodder will be highly disappointed. Viewers looking for intellectually stimulating softcore stories will be well rewarded.

Vinegar Syndrome has given Bible! an amazing presentation on DVD. The film is presented in its original full screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The presentation shows bright vibrant colors. There is grain, dirt, and artifacts present, along with some blemishes and jumps. The picture looks absolutely beautiful and any viewer expecting better has unrealistic expectations, especially considering the age of the film. Bible! is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural sound track. There are hisses and cracks present. As with the video, I doubt the audio could ever sound better. The film is essentially silent, so there is no need for subtitles.

Vinegar Syndrome has done an amazing job of putting together a series of extras to go along with the film. There is a feature length director commentary track by Wakefield Poole, where he talks about the film production. There is an introduction to the film by Wakefield Poole, who talks about the film and his intentions with the film. There is a Women of Bible feature, which has new interviews with Georgina Spelvin, where she talks about her early career and Bible!, and Gloria Grant, who talks about Bible! and her later career. There is an interview from The Emerald City, a community access Cable TV program which aired on Manhattan Cable and Teleprompter Cable's Channel J aimed at the gay community, from 1977 where host Frank O'Dowd talks with Wakefield Poole about Bible!.

Vinegar Syndrome has also included actor screen tests, costume screen tests, and effects and set screen tests for the original production. The theatrical trailer for Bible!, looking far worse than the feature presentation, is included on the disc. There is also a photo gallery.

In short, Vinegar Syndrome has given Bible! an absolutely amazing release, which will thrill fans of the film, both new and old, combining a stunning release of the film and a wealth of extras that will give the viewer much more insight into the film and the work that went into it. I highly recommend checking out this release.

Bible! is a silent softcore telling of three biblical tales by gay pornographer Wakefield Poole. The film, designed for heterosexuals, is an arty journey through the stories of Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, and Samson and Delilah. The presentation from Vinegar Syndrome is outstanding with a beautiful feature presentation and tons of extras that relate to the feature film.

Past Reviews Interviews