There is absolutely no way to choose a "best of" scene from the TITAN classic "Fallen Angel." A cast of men who are indescribably hot, stellar production values, artful videography, and impeccable direction that set a new standard for the leather and S & M genres, and that has influenced every leather video since. Quite simply, it's the best leather video ever made, or was anyway, until "Fallen Angel II: Descending" was released (see below). On DVD, it looks better than ever, and DVD technology does exquisite justice to the dark, moody videography, which so perfectly embodies the theme of the video. Okay, my fave scene: Jim Buck, Steve Cannon and Kyle Brandon, three studs who create so much heat it in their scene together that it might melt down your DVD player.
Special DVD Features: Digitally remastered for DVD, production notes, stereo sound, chapter index and no regional coding.
A DVD Review by Martin Cox
The box cover boldly proclaims, "Leather Will Never Be The Same" and for once it's not a case of desperate hyperbole. This moody, elegantly crafted exploration of leather, bondage and S&M-styled sex raises the bar not only for leather videos, but for gay porn altogether. Period. Despite a handful of recognizable models, co-directors Bruce Cam and Robert Kirsch deftly avoid the porn-pups-in-leather-drag curse that plagues the vast majority of so-called leather videos. Fallen Angel has the unmistakably masculine ring of authenticity. Want a stronger endorsement? Personally, I don't favor B&D beyond the occasional desire for something different. Right now, it's just not my preference, and yet Fallen Angel seriously turned me on (anyone have Steve Cannon's home phone number? How about Kyle Brandon? Cole Tucker?) Only directrix Chi Chi LaRue's recent Link comes close to matching the raunch of Fallen Angel.
The winner of Best Special Interest Video at the GV Guide 's Gay Erotic Video Awards in December, beating out the aforementioned Link, Pain Pig Pick-Up, Learnin' Latin 2 and Mo' Betta Butt in a very competitive race, the video picked up a second award for a terrific score by veteran musicians Drance. Titan Media won for its packaging efforts, among them the stylish box design for Fallen Angel . The blue-tinted photography and a bare chested, so-pretty-it-hurts shot of Steve Cannon form an appropriately sexy prelude to the kinky pleasures contained inside.
Interestingly, the video contains only five scenes, despite running 117 minutes. Cole Tucker's opening three-way itself runs nearly 35 minutes. Tucker's scene, as with several others, devotes plenty of time to foreplay, and tease. The build-up can be intense; the payoff is more intense as a result. In fact, by the time Tucker ends up on all fours, his edible asshole open for business, it's conceivable to have already experienced a "payoff" two or three times, (or more if you're feelin' frisky.)
A final three-way starring Cannon, Kyle Brandon and a near-unrecognizable Jim Buck (damned sexy in a buzz cut and goatee) is admirably intense. Brandon has remarked in print that he and Buck shared an unexpectedly deep connection during that scene. It shows! Buck ends up constrained in a tight, full-body leather suit, his lovely Prince Albert piercing gleaming in the dim light. Check out the look in Brandon's eyes as he whispers softly to an exhausted Buck at the end of the scene. Wow. Humor surfaces elsewhere in unexpected ways, as in a scorching oral scene set on an elevator. The respite is welcome, following as it does a hair-raising sequence involving whips and body piercing that leaves the recipient sobbing with pain/pleasure. Another scene is literally a fucking free-for-all.
Most gay porn vids are lacking in one form or another. The guys may be hotter than the sex, or the technical production laughably bad. Fallen Angel delivers the Golden Triumvirate of hot men, hotter sex and an excellent production design. It remains consistent in theme and doesn't overreach its ability to deliver the goods. Yeah, I know, this is veering dangerously close to a rave, and I'm aware that it is easy to discount an overly-gushing review. Fallen Angel is certainly not without flaws. But I happen to watch hundreds of gay porn tapes a year. I can count on one hand those that demonstrate not only the kind of care that went into its filming, but, more importantly, the respect and trust evidenced in Fallen Angel. These men are unabashedly gay. There is none of that straight-trade b.s. that some in the business cannot seem to let die. It's important that attention be drawn to videos that celebrate and explore the wonders of man-to-man sex while at the same time affirming our gay identity. Fallen Angel accomplishes just such a feat, and it's about damned time.
- J.C. Adams
Big Daddy's 2¢
Editor's Note: Videotaped in Chicago May 1997 (when International Mr. Leather was also being held here). Fallen Angel captures the leather scene complete with many local landmarks - some public and some private. The "fucking free-for-all" scene was shot at the Unicorn Club and local members are included in the scene - some still towel clad and other jacking off. Editing and special effects have rendered their faces unknown. For leathermen this video is a must see for its class presentation of the leather genre and for the novice or video viewer not normally turned on by leather Fallen Angel is highly recommended for its Chicago connection.