: Catalysts who enter the domestic sphere, exposing the hypocrisy of the suburban facade.
However, a persistent and well-supported rumor suggests that this is all a "con job." A substantial body of evidence, including a review on AdultDVDTalk cited by the Blu-ray Forum, posits that Taboo VII: The Wild and the Innocent is actually a 1980 film titled , directed by Peter Perry Jr. . According to this theory, producer Dave Arthur purchased the rights to the older film, shot some new "book signing" bookend scenes with Randy West to pad the runtime, and slapped the famous Taboo logo on it to cash in on the franchise’s popularity. The original director's credit may have been buried or given to Kirdy Stevens as a pseudonym. This has led many purists to argue that there is no Taboo VII ; it is simply a repackaged older movie trying to capitalize on the series' heat.
To understand the shock of "The Wild and the Innocent," one must first understand the towering legacy of the "Taboo" series. The franchise began in 1980 with the original " Taboo ," a landmark film that dared to explore the graphic subject of incest, specifically the intense and taboo-breaking relationship between a mother and her teenage son. Starring the legendary Kay Parker, the film was a massive, albeit controversial, success. It wasn't just a film but a cultural event, stirring debates and cementing its place as a classic of the Golden Age of Porn, even receiving accolades like the XRCO Hall of Fame induction. : Catalysts who enter the domestic sphere, exposing
Taboo VII: The Wild and the Innocent explores the juxtaposition of societal purity and hidden desires. The storyline moves away from the strictly urban settings of earlier entries, leaning into a more atmospheric, suburban, or rural isolation. Key thematic elements include:
Wynorski also discusses the controversy surrounding the film, and how he responded to critics who accused the film of promoting or glorifying taboo behaviors. According to this theory, producer Dave Arthur purchased
The film's narrative, while serving as a backdrop for explicit scenes, aims to challenge societal norms and perceptions of sex and intimacy. Through its use of lush landscapes, provocative scenes, and symbolic imagery, Taboo VII invites viewers to reflect on their own understanding of human sexuality and the boundaries that govern it.
True to its subtitle, The Wild and the Innocent juxtaposes themes of corruption, naivety, and psychological manipulation. The narrative follows the established formula of the franchise, focusing on a seemingly ordinary group of individuals whose repressed desires and hidden secrets are gradually exposed over the course of the film. To understand the shock of "The Wild and
The film features some of the most recognizable faces of the era. The performances are often described as "theatrical," fitting the heavy-handed drama that the series was known for.
The confusion surrounding Taboo VII extends well beyond its plot. For years, there has been a persistent rumor about its production. A post on the Blu-ray forum "42nd Street Fever" from July 4, 2021, added fuel to the fire, claiming that Taboo VII might not even be a true part of the series. It suggests that the film is actually "the 1980 Peter Perry Jr. film A Woman's Dream with some newly added narration". This is corroborated by the "Connections" section on libremdb, which explicitly lists the film as being "Edited from A Woman's Dream (1980)". This revelation, if true, adds a layer of controversy to the film's place in history: is it a legitimate sequel or a cynical repackaging of existing footage?
By the time the series reached its seventh installment in 1989, the industry was experiencing a "video boom." The rise of the VCR meant that films were no longer primarily viewed in public adult theaters but were instead rented or bought for private home viewing. This shifted production styles toward: