Taboo (1980) — A Cult Crime Thriller Worth Rediscovering
Taboo (1980), directed by Dominic M. Orlando and starring a young John Leslie alongside seasoned character actors, is one of those low-budget crime thrillers that slipped under the mainstream radar on release but kept a small, devoted following among grindhouse and VHS-era aficionados. It’s not a perfect film — its rough edges are part of the charm — yet it offers a distinct late‑70s/early‑80s noir flavor that makes it an intriguing curio for fans of offbeat genre cinema.
Industry Impact: In 1983, the film received a special inaugural award from the Video Software Dealers Association for X-rated films, which historians cite as a critical moment for the mainstream industry's acceptance of adult home video.
Interesting Facts
Helene Terrie (Writer): Notable for writing a script that critics argue focuses on the treatment and rejection of women in society. Impact and Industry Significance
Where to Find:
On IMDb, the 1980 Taboo is accessible but with restrictions (age verification, no plot shown in main listing). Physical media releases (DVD/Blu-ray) exist from distributors like Vinegar Syndrome, often as a restored edition.