Product Details

• Actors: James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid, Leon Pownall, Matt North
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: November 28, 2000
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004Z1FO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,790 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Dirty Pictures" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Shocking. Stunning. Brilliant. These are some of the words that described artist Robert Mapplethorpes controversial 1990 photo exhibit and this "gripping, provocative and alarming" (The Washington Post) film about the show's censorship is equally as captivating. Starring OscarÂ(r) nominees* James Woods (The General's Daughter) and Diana Scarwid (Inside Moves), Dirty Pictures delves into the uproar over right-wing censorship of the arts in a true-to-life talethat is "chilling" (Los Angeles Times)! When the director of the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, Dennis Barrie (Woods), books a touring photo exhibit of the late Robert Mapplethorpe, he knows he's brought a major-league event to town. But when the Cincinnati sheriff (Craig T. Nelson) sees the sexually explicit photos, he shuts down the show charging Barrie with peddling obscenity! Determined to stand his ground, Barrie faces trial and risks losing his joband his familyto protect the right promised to every American by the Constitution'the freedom of expression! * Woods: Supporting Actor, Ghosts of Mississippi (1996); Actor, Salvador (1986); Scarwid: Supporting Actress, Inside Moves (1993)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Following in the footsteps of The People vs. Larry Flint?, February 16, 2003

By 

J. Hancock (indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dirty Pictures (DVD)

Dirty pictures in no way follows in the foot steps of The People vs. Larry Flint. This movie is primarily from the perspective of a midwest gallery curator who had brought in a touring exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe's work. The movie is interlaced with interviews of people who had worked with or had known Mapplethorpe as well as images of his photographic works.
This is an Excellent purchase that raises questions in the mind of the veiwer. It is entertaining and to an extent educational on the art of Mapplethorpe, constitutional rights, and how people judge art based on "Their Values and Tastes."

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let Freedom Ring, October 3, 2000

By 

J. Mccann "jdeanfan" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dirty Pictures [VHS] (VHS Tape)

An interesting blend of stock footage and filmed, this is the fascinating true story of the Cincinnati art director who defied everyone and everything to show the controversial photography of Maplethorpe. As a person who was living in Cincinnati at the time of the trial's conclusion, I must say this film did capture the essence of the city's reaction. A Jeckyl/Hyde town, Cincinnati is staunchly conservitive during it's sheriff Simon Leis ruled days; but turns into "Sin"-cinatti at night, a liberal artistic town. These two sides clashed vehemently over the Maplethorpe issue, in fact, it is still a hot topic, 10 years later. The film is an important one in that it reminds us that we must continue to uphold our freedoms and rights, especially the freedom of expression. We all have a right to our own art, and we all have a right to chose what to view; we do not have a right to dictate to others what is and is not art or a viable expression. That is what this film is about.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important movie, April 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Dirty Pictures (DVD)

This is one of James Woods' best performances. I was also happy to see Diana Scarwid again. I've been a fan since "Mommie Dearest". This film was half movie and half documentary. Interviews and opinions of the people involved were shown. I gave four stars instead of five because even though it is definitely worth seeing, it seemed to get repetitive and long. Also interesting is that all the people who didn't like the photos were all over 70 (big surprise) and still believe gay people have cooties. So there was bias there, for sure. Good movie.