Anthropologists and historians find the phallus at the center of many ancient traditions and cultures. Greeks and Romans once adorned their pottery and other household items with images of the penis, regarding it as a potent symbol of fertility and longevity. In India today, we visit an old Hindu temple whose walls are sculpted in explicit scenes of erotic arts, with the penis prevalent. Pulling back we see that the entire temple is composed of upward thrusting phalluses in a glorified expression of sexuality through art and architecture.

In most eastern cultures the penis retains its symbolic representation of love and procreation, while in the west the organ has attained a very different status. Through interviews with experts and movie excerpts we see how machismo and the penis are intimately connected in our culture. Men's new body awareness has given the hidden appendage an awkward responsibility. We have come to gauge masculinity by the inch, and some will go to unusual lengths to insure they measure up.

Frank discussions with a number of men, and their mates, about sexual performance are presented. We meet Ian and Joan, seniors, who openly demonstrate how a garage mechanic's vacuum-pumped invention has brought the magic back into their bedroom. We hear Allard and Joyce describe their willing participation in the early clinical trial of a resurrected heart drug which found new purpose in correcting erectile dysfunction. Viagra went on to become the fastest, most successful selling drug ever created.

Also covered is a surgical procedure for a man who thought his penis was too small. Even though the follow-up therapy required the use of an 8-lb weight, he claims his happiness has been increased immeasurably.

Myths and misconceptions are often born from the concealment of facts. This program brings the penis front and center for an unfettered study of the male organ's place in history, art, religion, and contemporary life.

Note: Not surprisingly, full frontal male nudity is shown in this program. Repeat: This film is not in any way titillating...though it's often amusing!



Grade Level: College, Adult
US Release Date: 2000     Copyright Date: 1999
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-388-9     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-816-2

Reviews "Beautifully shot and edited, the film seamlessly weaves a connection between the cultural, medical, social, and personal aspects of the phallus...With its even-handed approach, the commentaries by experts and laypeople alike, and the scholarliness of the film, Phallacies is ideal for classroom room and discussion group use." Karen Rhines, Dept. of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School