The 1990′s brought an end to a tumultuous 20th Century. 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. So what do you remember from just 20 years ago and how it was then?
As we always do, let’s take a look back see what living expenses were like then. The average cost of a new 3 bedroom home was now $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 an 18 month period. 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 also the year the very popular 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 world of entertainment movies such as Jerry Maguire, The English Patient and Independence Day were the big box office hits. Among the hitmakers in music in 1996 were Mariah Carey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson and Madonna. As for TV some of the hit shows were Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, JAG, Law and Order, The X-Files and Friends. Also in 1996a number of the celebrities we lost included actor/dancer Gene Kelly, writer Carl Sagan, actor McLean Stevenson, singer Ella Fitzgerald and comedienne Minnie Pearl
In the world of porn video (and soon DVD’s) with all of the new technological advances modernize the industry. New film companies were springing up. With all the new advances, bigger budget productions were being shot by a few companies. It was also the 4th year in the continued growth of the NightMoves Adult Awards Show in Tampa, Fl. (We just celebrated our 23rd Annual last night). How time flies! One of the big hit adult films in 1996, is the one 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 almost twenty years ago and only a handful are still in the business i9n 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 premise and plot centers around Captain Calico Jack Ransom (Vince Voyeur). He 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 desperately to find the same man. It turns out he killed her father and she wants to see he pays for his crime. Her friend (Shayla LaVeaux) is also a stowaway who tags 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 see and enjoy 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 that fit right into the story without taking anything away from the plot.
The acting is well above par, the ship sequences are nicely done and the cinematography and music are extremely well done throughout and capture 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 some interesting extras, that include a fun blooper segment, good commentary on the making of the film and two extended scenes and more. If you have yet to see this one, I highly recommend getting it or ordering it, “Conquest” is a great package that contains some excellent, entertaining, sexy, couples friendly viewing. Be sure to check out this classic from 1996.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
