GENRE: Couples romance

DIRECTOR: Philip Christian

CAST: Gerald Pike, Sarah Jane Hamilton, Colt Steele, Brad Armstrong, Alex Sanders, Tony Tedeschi, Dyanna Lauren, P.J. Sparxx, Celeste, Serenity, Diva, Lady Paree, Angela Baron

EXTRAS: Interactive menus, VR technology, double sided, bios, previews, games, full motion chapters, DVD-ROM compatible

DATE OF PRODUCTION: 1993

BODY:

As this is the time of year for counting our blessings (and I can't exactly give thanks for good porn at the turkey table -- at least not without giving some of my older relatives a coronary that surpasses massive), I've decided to herald the end of 2005 with reviews of classic adult films.

And while men of their choice of porn classics ("Behind the Green Door," "Taboo," "Deep Throat"), women have to search a bit before they find a slightly older porn film that will tickle their fancy (translation: that doesn't involve the heroine being kidnapped, gagged, or boinking an immediate family member -- sheesh, we chickstas are so picky!)

My favorite adult classic is "Immortal Desire," an erotic masterpiece directed by Philip Christian. This literally timeless love story takes us from 1692 New Guinea to 1992 New York and also counts Europe (both in Victorian times and during the days of World War I) among its exotic settings.

And while the dates and places change frequently in this time travel romance, its plot remains a radiant constant: the story of two people who pledge to love one another forever -- and who, through a mystical blood rite, realize their immortal desire.

Gerald Pike shines as Gabriel, the Victorian nobleman who falls hopelessly in love with Anna of Gable (played by a ravishing Sarah Jane Hamilton).

Gerald, a strapping, strikingly handsome Australian who also worked as an exotic dancer, was my biggest porn crush during the 1990s. Yet since he didn't work during the era of PlaygirlTV and Candida Royalle, he rarely got his moment in the spotlight. In "Immortal Desire," one experiences his masculine beauty, deeply voiced accent and substantial acting talent to full effect.

During the early stages of Gabriel and Anna's romance, we see both the tender romantic gestures and heated passion that truly "seal their fate;" and that inspire them to pursue immortality in hopes of staying together.
What they achieve, however, seems more like a continuous state of reincarnation; one in which they're constantly separated by war and other averse conditions.

In her present state, as a matter of fact, Anna doesn't seem to remember Gabriel but dreams of him constantly, in nocturnal visions that concern her greatly during her waking hours (plagued by erotic visions of Gerry Pike. Poor girl. Cry me a friggin' river).
When he comes alive in her bedroom, she has no choice but to admit their shared destiny.

As their story unfolds, we also see erotic couplings that involve their friends throughout the years: Gabriel's wartime buddy and an Army nurse, a Victorian stablemaster and two ladies in waiting, etc.

And Ladies, we get to feast our eyes on some of the hottest porn hunks of that time, including Pike, Alex Sanders and Colt Steele.

Aside from Hamilton and Lauren, the most compelling woman in the film is one who never takes her clothes off; a raven-haired fire dancer who performs toward the end of "Immortal Desire."

The beautiful story of this film is supplemented by strong cinematography, classically styled music, and elegant costumes.
And although I won't reveal the ending of "Immortal Desire," I will share the concluding image: one of Gabriel, in full Victorian costume, presenting Anna with a rose.

True to this image, "Immortal Desire" was a rose in the hand of the 1990s femme porn viewer; and in many ways, a rose among thorns.

CONCLUDING WORDS: I would love to see this film remade today, starring Jean Val Jean and Audrey Hollander. It stands on its own as an erotic classic; a love story in an industry of sex stories.