Video

Wild Goose Chase opens with the credit "A John Stagliano Film." It's not an embellishment or stretch of the truth — the celebrated, ground-breaking Buttman, who infused porn with the DIY ethos of gonzo, shows off here with one of his rare forays into 35mm film.

Though his upcoming effort on film (and his first since the early '90s), The Fashionistas, is slated for release in late September, fans can get a taste of what's to come with this release. Shot over 10 years ago, the film oozes production value but keeps the asses of the female performers, all of whom have moved onto the relative anonymity of retirement, in focus. For fans of couples fare, there's the plot about Joey Silvera looking for a missing girl; for fans of Stagliano's work, there's the hot performances he's always been known for; and for fans of nostalgia, the furry pussies and girls sans tattoos and piercings are a treat.

Of note to all, however, is Stagliano's commentary. Rather than an audio commentary, Stagliano offers a video commentary with footage of the Buttman talking about the feature as it's playing on a monitor. He shows his technical knowledge about shooting on film as well as the in-jokes of the movie. Stagliano moves seamlessly between the practical aspects of shooting to his emotional attachment to the scenes, making for a commentary above the norm.

The transfer of the film, with style and execution that is reminiscent of adult films made in the 70s, is very well done, but some scratches on the film be seen.

With wins for Best Film and Best Cinematography in 1991, Wild Goose Chase receives its time again in the AVN spotlight with a pre-nom for Best Classic Release on DVD.