WADD: The Life & Times Of John C. Holmes

Wadd: The Life & Times Of John C. Holmes is a documentary about the adult performer's life directed by Cass Paley and produced by VCA that made a small but significant impact in the mainstream when it was released several years back. Now VCA has finally released a DVD version of the movie, and while it's not the kind of film you'd expect a typical porn viewer to pick up, it is a must-have for any serious fan or devotee of the adult industry.

Paley has had his name removed from the credits (the Alan Smithee moniker is now listed), perhaps because some hardcore material has been reinserted into the documentary, including some penetration and cumshots (from the reviews I have seen for the original release of this film - no penetration shots were in the final cut). I suppose VCA may have felt that adding some actual pornographic material would help better sale this movie to the adult market - but it's really not necessary to the film, but it doesn't hurt the film, either.

The documentary is fast moving and quite interesting, documenting everything from John's childhood, to his introduction to the industry, to the infamous Wonderland murders and John's trial, to his last days when he was stricken with the AIDS virus. Along the way, we are treated to interviews with a vast assortment of individuals, including Bill Amerson (John's manager), Sharon Holmes (John's first wife), Paul Thomas Anderson (the director of Boogie Nights, which was loosely based on John's life), Bob Chinn (the creator and director of John's popular Johnny Wadd movies), and many others who knew John, both those in the industry and those outside.

What I liked most about Wadd was the fact that no punches are pulled when telling John's story. One might expect that a movie produced by the industry about one of their true icons might try to portray the adult business in a better light, but none of that happens here. We are told the facts - or at least the facts as they can best be determined, since (as viewers find out during the course of the film) John was notorious for making up tall tales about himself and his background.

One of the interesting counterpoints that occurs after viewing the movie is the question of why was John so loved by his friends and peers? The documentary makes it clear that John was abusive - both to the women in his life and with various - yet those closest to him never seemed to give up on him, no matter how bad things got. There is even some evidence (presented at the very end of the film) that John intentionally tried to spread the AIDS virus to other actors in the industry - yet the only person who has any negative comments about this is (of all people) Ron Jeremy, who believes (and rightfully so, perhaps) that more should have been done at the end of John's career to prevent him from performing with other talent.

In fact, Wadd leaves the question of John's legacy entirely up to the viewer. Should we remember him as one of the main people that helped put adult film on the map, or should we abhor him for allowing himself to become the perfect example for all those who hate the adult industry to point to when they claim how seedy and twisted it is? Wadd makes good arguments for both sides, and that's one of the reasons this documentary is so powerful.

VCA, of course, is an adult company, so they've added some additional hardcore material into the bonus features of this DVD. Five bonus scenes are provided, each featuring John in action with a selection of different ladies. The material can be watched separately, or during the film - as VCA has incorporated a logo that will flash up on the screen (which can be turned off if you don't want to see it) during the movie that will take you to one of the bonus scenes or to an audio biography of the person who is currently being interviewed in the movie. This is quite similar to the Infinifilm method that New Line is using on some of their DVD releases. Other bonus features include a feature length commentary (which I assume is by Paley, although I don't think he ever identifies himself by name during his comments), eight deleted scenes from the film, a chapter selection and three trailers for other VCA titles.

As is expected with a VCA DVD, the video and audio are top-notch. Keep in mind that some of the footage with John isn't in the best of shape, but the actual transfer of the documentary onto the digital format is well-done.

It's so rare to see something come out of the adult industry as well made and objective as Wadd, and for that, I give it the highest rating possible. It will be interesting to see if adult fans embrace the film, since I imagine a large number of porn customers are only in the market for material that will get them off, rather than material that will make them think. Wadd is required viewing for all us adult historians and serious fans, and I give it a rousing endorsement.

Wadd: The Life and Times of John C. Holmes is a fascinating documentary that offers many viewpoints into the persona of Holmes. It is the sort of documentary/biography flick that should be viewed by the mainstream public.

The DVD edition itself has a plethora of special features and is sure to delight consumers. Those mainstream folks fearing an all-out pornographic film will be pleased to see that all images of sex and penetration are relevant to the story being told.