“A lot of strange things happen in this world. Things you don’t know about in Grand Rapids. Things you don’t want to know about. Doors that shouldn’t be opened.”
Welcome to the seedy world of “Hardcore.” This riveting thriller from 1979 stars George C. Scott as a religious man from Grand Rapids who heads to Hollywood to search for his missing teenage daughter – and finds this instead:
This is a rough, gritty movie – that exposed very real XXX-locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Here is the trailer, which makes it clear you are in for a provocative movie experience:
“Turn it off! Turn if off! TURN IT OFF!”
Of course, the father is stunned when he finds out what happened to his daughter, and this moment in the movie theater, when he see the stag film she’s in, is shocking.
The original poster makes that clear:
“Hardcore” Goes Hardcore!
One reason the film works so well is how “real” it feels, and here’s why.
The production filmed on-location at actual real-life sex shops, strip clubs, porno theaters, massage parlors and adult film studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the late 70’s – all of which are seen in the movie.
“Oh My God, That’s My Daughter!”
That is certainly a compelling movie poster – powerful, controversial, shocking.
However, here’s a fun fact: George C. Scott NEVER SAYS THOSE WORDS IN THE FILM!
Great ad though!
Director Paul Schrader Gets Dirty!
The Director of “Hardcore” was Paul Schrader, who wrote “Taxi Driver” about the very seedy streets of New York. This film continued his look at the seamy side of the 70’s.
According to the great movie website IMDB.com:
“George C. Scott and director Paul Schrader did not get along, so much so that at one point Scott refused to come out of his trailer and threatened to quit the film. Scott only agreed to come out after forcing Schrader to promise that he would never direct again!”
Schrader did, of course direct again, but how hilarious is that story?
Season Hubley’s Mesmerizing Performance!
Actress Season Hubley is incredible in this film, as an adult movie performer who helps Scott look for his daughter. Here is a very raw scene where he wants to talk to her at her “job”:
He’s in a “peepshow” room with a metal door that slides up to reveal Hubley – once he has paid his money, here is what he sees:
Hubley appeared in a number of great films in the 70s. In 1973, she played the title character in Lolly-Madonna XXX, and may be best known for her appearance as Priscilla Presley in the 1979 made-for-television film Elvis.
Her other major film role is in the 1982 cult film “Vice Squad!”
In “Hardcore”, she bares all as the prostitute who leads Scott on a journey though the seediest of XXX-locations.
Peter Boyle also stars in the film – it’s not a perfect movie, but it is raw, gritty and fascinating to watch – and now there’s much more to see as well!
Twilight Time just released a great Blu-ray – a pristine copy of the film along with a couple of audio commentaries, including one with Director Schrader!
I look forward to watching this again while listening to the commentary…
This film dealt with the world of XXX-films – and in the 70’s there were a few Actresses who appeared in mainstream AND hardcore movies:
Uschi Digard appeared in all kinds of movies doing all kinds of things!
Click here to see how she ended up in one of the funniest films of all time:
Another exploitation Actress who also did hardcore films was Rene Bond:
The camera loved her, but she had a tragic story – click here to see it:
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Let me know what you think of “Hardcore.”
Categories: 70's Films, Artsploitation, Books / Media, Cult Classics, Exploitation Films, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites, Uncategorized
JR-Sploitation! 
I remember seeing “Hardcore” on Cinemax back in the early 80’s. As a young teen it actually terrified me.
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It’s rough to be sure!
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I thought this was an amazingly powerful film, with perfect casting, and real-life direction too. it made me seek out Schrader’s films, and I discovered ‘Light Sleeper’, which became a huge favourite of mine.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, he had made “Blue Collar” before this, Richard Pryor’s best acting ever
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Also a great soundtrack in Blue Collar
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Great point! What a film – very neglected outside of cult film circles!
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