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A Dirty Shame (NC-17 Rated Theatrical Version)

John Waters (Director, Writer), Tracey Ullman (Actor), Johnny Knoxville (Actor) Rated:
NC-17
Format: DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars 854
IMDb5.1/10.0
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June 14, 2005 		—
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$32.99 $20.63
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A Dirty Shame (R-rated) $3.79 $9.99
Genre Comedy
Format Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, AC-3, Widescreen, Dolby, Subtitled
Contributor Patricia Hearst, Selma Blair, Mark Kaufman, Christine Vachon, The Fisher Brothers, Paul DeBoy, Mink Stole, Merideth Finn, Ted Hope, Alan J. Wendl, John Wells, Wes Johnson, Mark Ordesky, Johnny Knoxville, Suzanne Shepherd, Susan Allenback, John Waters, Tracey Ullman, Chris Isaak See more
Initial release date 2005-06-14
Language English

From the manufacturer

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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

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Based on the constantly changing ways by which consumers access entertainment, WBHE focuses on maximizing current and next-generation distribution scenarios to make the Studio’s content available to audiences through as many channels, platforms and devices as possible.

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Warner Home Video

With distribution in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video has one of the largest distribution infrastructures in the global video marketplace. In 2019, Warner Home Video had 20% marketshare for overall home entertainment WHV also had the library with “Harry Potter Complete 8-Film Collection” and the television franchise with “Game of Thrones.”

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Product Description

Dirty Shame, A (DVD) (WS)

From the outrageous John Waters, writer-director of Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, comes another signature exercise in bad taste. Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman), the owner of a convenience store in a working-class Baltimore neighborhood, suffers a concussion. The injury causes a drastic change in her sexual drive, turning her into a sex addict with crazy, wild and urgent desires and compulsions, much to the joy and then frustration of her husband (Chris Isaak), who has trouble keeping up with her. As Sylvia's insatiable libido reaches fever pitch, her new oversexed personality threatens to tear apart the remnants of what wasn't an entirely perfect family to begin with. And that's A Dirty Shame.

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Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NC-17 (Adults Only)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 4 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 2261832
  • Director ‏ : ‎ John Waters
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, AC-3, Widescreen, Dolby, Subtitled
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 28 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2005
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, Selma Blair, Chris Isaak, Suzanne Shepherd
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, Spanish
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Christine Vachon, John Wells, The Fisher Brothers, Ted Hope, Mark Ordesky
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Studio Distribution Services
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000929UOQ
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ John Waters
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 854

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
854 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Goat girl
5.0 out of 5 stars more John Waters, please!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2010
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What I love about John Waters films is the attitude he takes towards all the wackiness of his characters. He takes on any weird subject out there, lets the characters loose to play out all their indiosyncrasies, then pulls it all together with the goofiest retro music. This movie is all about the dirty little things we humans get up to in (and out) of bed, and it treats all sides with probing humor and innocent filthiness. Sounds contradictory, but John Waters seems to really like all of his characters, even the ones who aren't all that nice, and one of the big characters is, in a way, the city of Baltimore. I watched the "making of" section on the DVD and what Waters put the neighborhood through during filming was ridiculous, yet he couldn't be more beloved.

I only wished that in the climactic scene, the camera would have lingered more on each person to really get their reactions because the finale feels a bit rushed for time. I wanted even more crazy reaction shots!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Hmm...
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
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This was a bit of a weird one, but I'm here for Johnny Knoxville, always.
Love that guy.
Anyway, if you're feeling a lil kinky, a lil wound up, this is the movie for you.
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D.R.
5.0 out of 5 stars John water returns in sick fashion, great!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2011
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If you like john waters other films you will like this one. if you like it dirty, than it's a shame, great for you! Keep in mind this movie is not Hairspray, and is not for the uptight or easy put off among the masses. But if you share Mr. Water's world view, than this is the  Role ModelsCrackpot: The Obsessions of John WatersShock Value: A Tasteful Book About Bad TasteJohn Waters: This Filthy WorldJohn Waters Collection #2: Polyester/ Desperate LivingPink FlamingosJohn Waters Collection (A Dirty Shame NC-17 Version / Desperate Living / Female Trouble / Hairspray / Pecker / Pink Flamingos / Polyester)PolyesterSerial Mom (Collector's Edition)Serial Mom (Collector's Edition) Pink Flamingos (25th Anniversary Edition) [VHS]John Waters Collection #1: Hairspray/ Pecker (Special Edition)Cry Baby: Director's Cutone of you. Enjoy Perv!
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T. Knight
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great film for those who like John Waters Films
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2005
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If you are a fan of the films of John Waters and company, you will love this one. Mr. Waters has not lost his sense of humor or his ability to make the absurd seem normal and the normal absurd.

The casting was perfect, Tracey Ullman and Johnny Knoxville were born to star in a John Waters film. Ms. Ullman can change characters in the blink of an eye and put that to good use here. Johnny Knoxville as Ray-Ray is perfect in his role as the cult leader.

As with his other movies, those who are unprepared will be a bit taken aback, to say the least. We, on the other hand, laughed through the entire movie.

The "extras" on the DVD were as funny as the movie. The interviews with the regular patrons of the bar should not be missed.
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KaseyG
4.0 out of 5 stars "I'm the only Goldilocks allowed in this Bear Cave!"
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2005
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Let me start by saying that if you are one of those uptight moviegoers who has been brainwashed into thinking that such snooze-inducing fare as Shrek, Harry Potter or anything starring Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise is the be-all-end-all, this movie is definitely not your speed. For the small percentage of you who actually "get it" and can watch Desperate Living, Serial Mom or Polyester multiple times and never get bored, you will find lots to love here.

That trademark Waters' vibe starts buzzing as soon as the dialogue begins. The soundtrack, peppered with obscure novelty ditties, and raunchy instrumental oldies is bullseye-perfect.

Just like Melanie Griffith in Cecil B. Demented, Ullmann sinks her teeth into the role and her rubbery face and sketch comedy background allow her to immediately adjust her style to Waters' material. Johnny Knoxville is wickedly charismatic, and Selma Blair is hilarious yet surprisingly vulnerable as the ridiculously over-endowed "Ursula Udders". (You just wanna put a raincoat over that poor girl at times). Mink Stole returns in a meatier role than she's had in years (plus a purposely-unflattering hairstyle to say the least).

The story was well paced and let it not be said this film dragged in certain spots. Waters' knows how to keep the action going and purposely keeps all his movies within a 90-minute running time. The finale featuring the head-butting was sort of lost on me during my initial viewing and some may be put off by its somewhat repetitive nature, but it wasn't until I realized that this was the "new sex act", that I accepted it for what it was. (See, even a Waters' junkie like me needs multiple viewings to catch everything!)

Those well schooled in all things Waters (including having read Trash Trio), will find plenty of amusing in-jokes here that will be wasted on the casual viewer or even not-so-diehard fan. The nude orderly that Tracy sees in the Hokey Pokey scene is reminiscent of the nude hitchhiker that Divine imagines in Mondo Trasho.

Furthermore, true aficionados know that Waters had originally included a scene of the entire Divine clan (Crackers, Edie, Cotton et al) doing the Hokey Pokey in the unfilmed Pink Flamingos sequel Flamingos Forever. The dance was basically a throwaway bit in the unfinished work and had it been used in a prior film we never would have had the pleasure of seeing Ullmann grab the scene by its collective b*lls and run completely wild with it as she does here, making it one of the unqualified highlights of the film.

Rats have always been a prominent fixture in John Waters' films such as Desperate Living, Hairspray and Pecker and here, fittingly, we have not one by two appearances by their suburban counterparts-squirrels (rats with bushy tails).

The montages of old film clips used during the critical scenes when the characters swing back and forth between their neuter and sex-addict personas are perhaps a nod to the 1970 cult classic Myra Breckinridge, which used the technique to similar effect.

It was nice to see Ricki Lake appear (even if only in clip form), and David Hasselhoff's appearance continues the tradition of using well-known native Baltimorean TV personalities (think Bess Armstrong in Serial Mom and Pecker) in cameo roles. For those fans that enjoy picking out the original Dreamlanders who are usually found lately in crowd scenes etc, Mary Vivian Pearce, and Channing Wilroy are easily spotted. George Figgs is harder to pick out (if you look closely during the "Town Hall" meeting scene at the Park `n Pay, he's there). Sadly, so many of the legendary originals have passed on to another place, hopefully a wild-and-crazy Dreamland in the sky-or perhaps, an even bigger party....um...elsewhere!

As for the DVD itself, the bonus features are great, as to be expected. You get not one but TWO commentaries, one by John Waters, and a second by Pat Moran, Van Smith, Vince Peranio and Brooke Yeaton. It is nit picking to say this, but the latter commentary was not recorded while the participants screened the film, but rather as they were being interviewed about it. For this reason, it is not as enjoyable as Waters' commentary, but it is enjoyable and required viewing all the same. A small portion of their commentary can also be found on the featurette "All the Dirt on `A Dirty Shame'". The featurette itself runs approximately one hour in length (whereas similar ones on other DVD's clock in at a mere 6 or minutes most of the time).

Lastly, there is no shortage of memorable quotes to add to the Waters' library. Among the best:

"I seen you Sylvia Stickles...showin' your pubic patch to the bus driver. Why don't ya move downtown where ya belong-ya whore!"

"Mutilating your mammaries and gyrating down at some biker bar is an act all right-an act of defiance!"

"Let's go down to the Holiday House and f*** the whole bar!"
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Top reviews from other countries

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Zépeu
5.0 out of 5 stars Déjanté
Reviewed in France on April 29, 2020
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C'est pas le film du siècle mais ça à le mérite de faire passer un bon moment.
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Christa C
5.0 out of 5 stars Gratifying
Reviewed in Canada on March 23, 2018
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Tracy Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, and John Waters are a perfect trio! This movie has a titillating balance of being intense and funny, dreamy and dirty.

John Waters always provides a very entertaining and informative audio commentary making the purchase of his DVDs worth every dollar! This one is especially good, and includes a separate commentary track by some of the key production people which is cool.
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Kenematic
5.0 out of 5 stars An hilarious modern cult classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2010
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John Waters came to fame (or is that notoriety) as a terrorist film-maker, making the 'big time' with his offbeat study of sixties Baltimore - Hairspray. There is always a particular feel to his films but they have softened since those early days. This film recalls that sense of the renegade. In Europe people will see this as an outrageous but very funny romp, and a clear swipe at Bible Belt America's moral dogmatism. To homely Americans it must have been a complete travesty.
The film wastes no time in drawing you into the indivuals and the subject matter in JW's offbeat, almost cuddly approach. Once you've seen Selma Blair's unfeasibly large breasts the film has you in it's grip. A few minutes on and you have been introduced to many strange deviations that normally stay hidden behind closed doors. Then the head banging begins (and I mean that in the literal sense). Every time a head is hit we are treated to a montage of clips from those odd little back street films the States made so many of. They are a delight, along with the film score, all taken from the same period. The film then continues to gather pace getting ever more surreal and funny until it's very American ending. The final shot leaves you thinking 'I don't believe he had the gall to put that in'.
Belief is stretched to breaking point; it abounds with sexual references, inuendos and euphemisms that are an education, but however far out it gets the comedy holds you. And all that with nothing more explicit than a few brief nude shots, tame compared with most modern romances.
Certainly not one for prudes or those with a traditional outlook on life. But if you like the unusual and films that push the boundaries then I highly recommend it. Everyone I know (bar one) who has seen this considers it the funniest film they have seen in many years.
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philref
5.0 out of 5 stars Einfach abgefahren
Reviewed in Germany on August 8, 2005
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John Waters dürfte so manchem ein Begriff sein. "A Dirty Shame" ist zweifelsohne geschmacklos, pervers, freakig- also einfach genial. Wer auf grauenhafte Hollywoodschnulzen ala Spielbergsche SEicht-"Filme" steht, der sollte das Weite suchen und sich ins nächste Multiplex-Kino verdrücken. Der ehemalige Underground-Filmer Waters kehrt nach "Cecil B. Demented" mit diesem Film erneut ein Stück zu seinen Anfängen zurück und macht großartige Filme jenseits des biederen Hollywood-Einheitsbreis. Einmal mehr ist einer seiner Filme voll von Sex und Anrüchigem. Was passiert wenn man einen Schlag auf den Kopf bekommt - ganz klar, man wird nymphoman. Und so kommt es dann auch, dass sich ein ehrbares Viertel der US-Stadt Baltimore (Übrigens Waters Heimat, wo er all seine Filme drehte) in ein einziges Sündenbabel verwandelt, wo sich alle wild durcheinander auf der Straße vergnügen. Das ganze, natürlich satirisch dargestellt, ein bissiger Seitenhieb auf die neue Keuschheit in der Ära George W. Bush. Muss man gesehen haben, am besten in Gesellschaft mit viel Partylaune. Wie ein Bekannter von mir kommentierte: "Was für ein abgefahrener Scheißfilm"
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James Zombie
4.0 out of 5 stars Johnny noxvil
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2022
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Just a daft comedy adult's only
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