Taboo I-ii-iii-iv -1979-1985- < EASY >
The Taboo series did not end in 1985. In fact, the franchise would go on to spawn an astonishing 23 entries, stretching all the way to Taboo 23 in 2007. However, the first four films remain the cornerstone of the franchise's legend. They are the purest representation of the "Golden Age" aesthetic—attempting to mix high-concept drama with explicit content.
: The series began to move into a world where "bedroom hopping" and "frayed family ties" were the primary drivers of the plot, rather than just the sex scenes themselves. The Younger Generation (1985)
The Taboo cycle (1979–1985) has been called “the Nekromantik of no-budget ethnography” and “a seven-year anxiety attack committed to magnetic tape.” In 2019, a partially restored print of Taboo II screened at a single midnight showing in Tokyo. Half the audience walked out. The other half sat in silence until the projector shut off.
The films featured original musical scores and professional-grade cinematography, elevating the aesthetic standard of the industry.
, the first film was a massive crossover hit. It broke records for its time by treating its controversial subject matter with a somber, almost gothic cinematic style. The Evolution (II-IV): Taboo I-II-III-IV -1979-1985-
Taboo I-II-III-IV -1979-1985-: Breaking Barriers in the Golden Age of Adult Cinema
Because this series is widely considered a landmark of the "Golden Age of Porn" for its high production values and narrative-driven plots, I’ve drafted a few options for you—one that’s more of a film history review and one that’s a shorter, social-media-style "flashback." Option 1: The Film History Review (Best for Blogs/Forums)
Exploring this era of film history provides insight into how media moved from public theaters into the private sphere of the home, and how creators of that time challenged contemporary social norms through experimental, albeit highly mature, storytelling.
Taboo (1980) was more than an explicit film; it was a character-driven melodrama. The focus on the emotional and psychological state of the mother allowed it to stand out from the purely sexual focus of many contemporary adult movies, setting a new standard for storytelling in the genre. The Taboo series did not end in 1985
| | | Taboo II (1982) | Taboo III: The Final Chapter (1984) | Taboo IV: The Younger Generation (1985) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Director(s) | Kirdy Stevens | Kirdy Stevens | Kirdy Stevens | Kirdy Stevens | | Star(s) | Kay Parker, Mike Ranger, Dorothy LeMay | Honey Wilder, Dorothy LeMay, Mike Ranger | Kay Parker, Honey Wilder | Ginger Lynn, Jamie Gillis, Kay Parker | | Story Focus | Barbara Scott (Kay Parker), a lonely, newly divorced woman, becomes sexually involved with her teenage son, Paul (Mike Ranger). | Shifts focus to the McBride family, exploring incestuous dynamics between a brother and sister, and a father and daughter. | Brings back Kay Parker as Barbara, who finds herself drawn to her younger son after Paul has moved out. | Introduces a sex therapist specializing in incest (played by Jamie Gillis) and a new fractured family riddled with more affairs and secrets. |
: Barbara Scott (Kay Parker) is living alone with her younger son, who is distant and focused entirely on his rock band. Seeking connection, Barbara strikes up a deep friendship with Joyce McBride.
Whether a unified artistic vision, a collaborative prank, or something in between, Taboo I–IV remains a cipher—a mirror held up not to what we forbid, but to what we cannot bear to archive.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the controversies, the series achieved substantial commercial success, demonstrating the high market demand for narrative-heavy adult features. Historical Legacy They are the purest representation of the "Golden
The fourth installment marked a transition point. As the industry began to shift toward "gonzo" styles and cheaper video-only productions,
The Taboo series, released between 1979 and 1985, stands as one of the most commercially successful and culturally significant franchises in the history of the adult film industry. The series is renowned for elevating the "taboo" genre—specifically focusing on incestuous themes—into big-budget, narrative-driven productions. Unlike the "loops" or purely vignette-based adult content of the time, Taboo prioritized character development, acting, and cinematography, helping to legitimize the "adult feature" as a viable theatrical product during the waning years of the porno chic era.
: As the two women bond over their shared, hidden pasts, they begin to plan the next stages of their lives. The film serves as an introspection on aging, secrets, and finding solidarity in shared trauma and societal exile. Taboo IV: The Younger Generation (1985)