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critics consensus

A documentary on the film that brought smut mainstream, Inside Deep Throat is gaining praise as an entertaining look at a pop culture milestone. However, some critics say the film could have gone a little deeper into the people involved. Read critic reviews

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Inside Deep Throat Photos

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Movie Info

Dennis Hopper narrates this documentary that investigates the infamous pornographic film "Deep Throat." Featuring interviews with the cast and filmmakers, including director Gerard Damiano and leads Linda Lovelace and Harry Reems, this film explores the controversy surrounding both the production of the movie and its reception. Cultural icons of the era such as Hugh Hefner, Gore Vidal and Larry Flynt also contribute, discussing the impact of "Deep Throat" on the zeitgeist.
  • Rating:
    NC-17 (Explicit Sexual Content)
  • Genre:
    documentary
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
  • Producer:
    Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $653.6K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Imagine Entertainment
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Gerard Damiano
Self
Erica Jong
Self
Norman Mailer
Self
Harry Reems
Self
Gore Vidal
Self
John Waters
Self
Dennis Hopper
Narrator
Fenton Bailey
Director
Randy Barbato
Director
Brian Grazer
Producer
Ron Howard
Producer
Ian Mallahan
Associate Producer
Lance Brown
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Lance Brown
Supervising Sound Editor
Eddie Kim
Sound Effects Designer
James Azizi Penny
Sound Effects Editor
Mark Weber
Sound Mixer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Inside Deep Throat

All Critics (122) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (100) | Rotten (22)

  • A sharp documentary that has comedy, tragedy and, yes, a glimpse of Linda Lovelace's party trick.

    January 7, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Nick De Semlyen

    Empire Magazine

  • Bailey and Barbato can only scratch the Boogie Nights-influenced surface, but they cover the ABCs of pornography with undeniable zip.

    September 26, 2005

    Scott Tobias

    AV Club

  • [A] valuable document of a cultural shift.

    July 18, 2005

    Ken Tucker

    New York Magazine/Vulture

  • Interviews with the surviving players, including porn stud Harry Reams ... make for entertaining viewing.

    May 25, 2005 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Jamie Russell

    BBC.com

  • Fascinating social criticism and a witty and relevant take on American sexual history.

    April 22, 2005 | Rating: 5/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel

  • The absorption of Deep Throat into the political melodrama that was Watergate seems to have led to some grandiose statements in Messrs. Bailey and Barbato's documentary.

    March 31, 2005 | Full Review…

    Andrew Sarris

    Observer
View All Critic Reviews (122)

Audience Reviews for Inside Deep Throat

  • Jun 28, 2014
    Depressing and engrossing documentary about the phenomenally successful and controversial "adult" film.
    Daniel P Super Reviewer
  • Jun 03, 2013
    Inside Deep Throat tells the story of one of the most famous Adult films in the genre. Deep Throat was one of the first porn films to cause outrage at the time of its release due to the fact that it showed explicit sexual material, which was unheard of at the time. The documentary takes a look at how the film revolutionized a new movement. The film is interesting and it goes in depth in discussing the success of this notorious film. The subject is interesting and the documentary filmmakers get interviews from many celebrities, filmmakers and people involved in the making of Deep Throat. For those interested in the subject, this is a great documentary to watch, but is not for everyone. The interviews are well conducted and some are humorous, and serious. Deep Throat was one of the most notorious Adult films ever made, as in 1972 it broke new ground in good taste. This film shows the story of the making of the film along with its legacy. The film also shows how some people that seek to ban the film were hypocritical because they went and saw the film multiple times. This is an interesting film, and I really enjoyed the interviews, especially the ones where director John Waters, Hugh Hefner and Bill Maher tell how the film became a phenomenon. Not only does the documentary look at the film's impact, but it looks at censorship and freedom of speech, which is also quite interesting. Inside Deep Throat is a great documentary that is worth seeing.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Feb 02, 2012
    This is a very well-edited and amusing documentary that investigates the cultural influence of one of the most polemic films ever made, as well as its impact on politics, the sexual revolution and the porn industry. An enlightening account that is fascinating and surprising.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 08, 2011
    A documentary based solely around the 1972 film, Deep Throat. It does a great job capturing the social mind-state people had in the 1970s. It shows the making-of the film, the controversy around it, and stories of those involved. 8.8/10
    Professor W Super Reviewer
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