The 1990′s were the last decade of the 20th Century and a lot had taken place since the 90′s began with Bill Clinton presiding as President and his reelection in ’96. It was a year where more changes, more looks into the future and more new technological roads were being traveled. The 90’s gave us a pretty good glimpse into what the 21st century was going to be like in many ways.
As we always do, let’s take a look back almost twenty years ago and see what living expenses were like then. The average cost of a new house was $118,200. The average income was $36,300.The cost of a gallon of gas jumped up to a $1.22 and the average cost of a new car was $16,300. Also in 1996 the minimum hourly wage was raised to $5.15. The economy was solid and the unemployment rate at one its lowest points. In the news headlines, Osama Bin Laden was expelled from Sudan and moved to Afghanistan. Little did we know what effect that would have years later. The sanctions the U.S. had against Cuba were eased. Racial tension still haunted the south as 30 Black churches in Mississippi were burned to the ground over 18 months. The first DVD’s were marketed in Japan, soon coming to the U.S. 1996 was the year a new internet shopping and selling service called E-Bay came online. In just 12 months the number of Internet host computers went from just 1 million to a whopping 10 million. Coffee Espresso machines made their debut, the Marvel Super Heroes Action Pack was a big ticket item in stores. There was also a Star Trek Barbie and Ken and who could forget the Tickle Me Elmo doll. Across the pond the UK learned Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales were getting divorced and the country was also hit with Mad Cow Disease. In the states among the big names in music in 1996 were Mariah Carey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson and Madonna.
In Hollywood movies such as Jerry Maguire, The English Patient and Independence Day were box office hits.Among the big names in music in 1996 were Mariah Carey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson and Madonna.As for TV among the hit shows were Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, JAG, Law and Order, The X-Files and Friends. Among the celebrities we lost in 1996 were actor/dancer gene Kelly, writer Carl Sagan, actor McLean Stevenson, porn star Rene Bond, singer Ella Fitzgerald and comedienne Minnie Pearl It was also the 4th year in the continued growth of the NightMoves Adult Awards Show in Tampa, Fl. (We are less than a month away from our 23rd annual!) How time flies!
In the world of porn video (and soon DVD’s) with all of the new technological advances modernized the industry in many ways. New stars came on the scene, with a new look from female stars quite obvious. New film companies were springing up. With all the new advances, bigger budget productions were being shot by a few companies. One of them was the 1996 film we take a look back at this week, Wicked Pictures “Conquest”.
Conquest – Wicked Pictures – Director – Brad Armstrong – Cast – Jenna Jameson, Asia Carrera, Missy, Juli Ashton, Kia, Shayla LaVeaux, Julie Rage, Alex Dane, Sahara Sands, Tom Byron, Bobby Vitale, Alex Sanders, Mark Davis, Vince Voyeur, Brad Armstrong, Sean Rider, Claudio.
It is amazing to think this film was done eighteen years ago and only Tom, Vince, Brad and Jenna from that all star cast are still in the business in some form. This film was large in every way, cast, budget, sets, costumes, a real pirate ship, locales, horses, sword fights and more. It gave the adult public a real swashbuckling pirate adventure with plenty of raw, steamy sex with some delectable and delicious females. It was one of those adult porn films you just knew had the words “porn classic” written all over it. When I first reviewed this for NightMoves back in 1996, I said that “This lavish, detailed, large cast, big budget mainstream like production has all the earmarks of being a porn classic.” It has become just that.
The film centers around Captain Calico Jack Ransom (Vince Voyeur), who is out to seek revenge on his lover’s killer. He winds up taking a stowaway along with him Rachel (Jenna Jameson) who is trying to find the same man. It turns out he killed her father and wants to see he pays for his crime. Her friend (Shayla LaVeaux) is also a stowaway tagging along. Another sub plot in the film has the King of England, Prince Charles, hiring the evil and blood thirsty Sir William James (Brad Armstrong) to eliminate Captain Jack and his band of pirates from the waters so his majesty’s ships can sail the high seas peacefully and without trouble from these mercenaries.
There are some great scenes on the ship that are visually stunning. There’s the celebration when they save one of Captain Jack’s crew (Alex Sanders) from the gallows. After some drinking and celebrating a couple of wenches entertain. There is Jenna and Shayla posing as men and part of the ship’s crew. There is the landing at an island and native girls dancing and much more. In the meantime the native chief presents his daughter (Asia Carrera) to the Captain. Sir William heads out to sea and has an encounter with Juli Ashton and also has to do battle with Captain Jack. Who wins the battle in this pirate adventure and comes out the winner? Not going to tell you, but it is an action packed confrontation that you’ll have to find out for yourself. The sex scenes in this film have a little something for everyone. There are some threeways, one on ones, girl play, anal beads and a lot more. The sex scene with Jenna and Vince on the sands of the beach is done in slo mo fashion and it is very erotic. The scenes are filled with intensity, good chemistry and heavy passion and offer the viewer some great turn on moments along the way.
The acting is well above par, the ship sequences are nicely done and the cinematography and music are extremely well done throughout capturing the essence of this story. Armstrong’s direction is well paced and he ties together story and sex scenes well with this very large cast which has some standout performances. One of them is a very funny bit part by Lee Garland as the mincing, very gay Prince Charles. The girls are attractive and know how to deliver in more ways than one. Staying in character during those scenes is not easy but the cast pulls it off very well. The film would deservedly go on to win a number of awards from AVN, NightMoves and the French Hot D’ Or Awards.
You can find a collector’s edition of “Conquest” on DVD from Wicked Pictures that is excellent with great extras that include two extended scenes and more. If you have yet to see this one, I suggest getting to your favorite video store and picking it up or ordering it. “Conquest” is a great package of excellent and very entertaining viewing. It is a true porn classic in every way.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
