A Certain Sacrifice
Filmed in 1978 - Video Release Only
|
Leading Role:
Bruna |
Director:
Stephen Jon Lewicki |
Studio:
Cine Cine Productions |
US Box Office (US$)
N/A |
A Certain Sacrifice is singer Madonna's first movie, made in September 1979, written and directed by Stephen Jon Lewicki. Madonna starred with Jeremy Pattnosh and Charles Kurtz. Madonna's earliest film was not released until 1985 (in the UK 1986). The movie is an "oddball" indie, shot on-and-off over two years in New York City for just $20,000. Almost all of the cast were unpaid.
Plot
Madonna played the part of Bruna, a Lower East Side resident who lives with three "love slaves" (one male, one female, one transgender). Bruna meets Dashiell (Pattnosh) in the water fountain in Washington Square Park and the two "fall in love". Bruna tells her lovers she doesn't need them anymore. They attack her sexually (this scene caused controversy since Madonna is topless). Later, Bruna is raped by Raymond Hall (Kurtz) in a bathroom at a coffee shop. To exact retribution, Bruna enlists her love slaves and Dashiell to abduct the rapist. They dress up as hookers and lure him into a limo. They lead him to a theatre where a Satanic sacrifice is performed. Dashiell later wipes Raymond's blood all over Bruna.
Release
In 1985, A Certain Sacrifice was released on video to capitalise on Madonna's fame. Madonna tried to buy the rights from director Stephen Jon Lewicki for $5,000. Unsuccessful, she then attempted to ban the film from being seen. Stephen Lewicki invited her to view it; Madonna was reportedly unhappy with the result. According to Lewicki, she had an expression of horror on her face and screamed: "Fuck you".
Despite Madonna's second thoughts about having participated in this movie, Lewicki had nothing but compliments for her. One of his oft-repeated stories was how he "discovered" Madonna and was amazed that she hand-wrote a three-page letter for a part that didn't even pay. She was actually paid $100 - the only cast member who was paid - but that was only because she was short on her apartment rent and Lewicki paid her to help out.
To author Christopher Andersen, who wrote the 1991 biography Madonna Unauthorized, Lewicki said: "That woman has more sensuality in her ear than most women have anywhere on their bodies."
Actor Jeremy Pattnosh wrote and performed several songs in the film, including: "Certain Sacrifice (Raymond Hall Must Die Tonight)" & "Screamin' Demon Lover".
Reception
Several mischievously positively reviews found their way onto the video packaging:
"It's Madonna's turn to have her past exposed, Madonna is hot as a pistol, she's sexy as hell." - New York Post
"A Certain Sacrifice is an hour-long melodrama of surprising intensity and value." - Spin
"A bizarre story of urban terror and ritual barbarism." - The Film and Video Independent
"The shocking movie Madonna won't talk about." - National Examiner
"This is not 'Bambi'" - Philadelphia Daily News
UK Video Releases
There are four UK video releases during this period. The first, and the most numerous being issued at the height of Madonna's fame in 1985, was released by True Blue Productions in a large rental-style box. As an indication of the initial interest, it was actually available to pre-order via outlets of HMV!
The second release, issued as part of 'The Collector Series' by Castle Vision, is also listed here as being released in 1985, although it was probably issued in 1993 (as according to MadonnaRecords: http://www.madonnarecords.com). The only reason it is included here on this webpage (which has a 1992 cut-off) and in the year 1985, is because the sleeve itself has two separate 1985 credits, whereas there are no credits dated 1993.
The third video, released by M.I.A (Missing In Action) which has no dated credits, is widely reported as being a 1988 reissue.
The final video, again undated, is reported by MadonnaRecords as being a 1990 release issued with copies of 'Adults Only' magazine. This perhaps explains the basic nature of packaging, with the video being housed in a flimsy cardboard slip case.
This dubious film does not offer much of interest for the UK collector. Most copies of these videos have probably found their way into landfill - which many collectors, not to mention Madonna herself, would argue is the best place for them! For that reason, they are generally quite rare appearing only periodically on Ebay but they are another example of relative scarcity not being an indication of corresponding value, hence each of these videos only being given a nominal valuation of £1.
Plot
Madonna played the part of Bruna, a Lower East Side resident who lives with three "love slaves" (one male, one female, one transgender). Bruna meets Dashiell (Pattnosh) in the water fountain in Washington Square Park and the two "fall in love". Bruna tells her lovers she doesn't need them anymore. They attack her sexually (this scene caused controversy since Madonna is topless). Later, Bruna is raped by Raymond Hall (Kurtz) in a bathroom at a coffee shop. To exact retribution, Bruna enlists her love slaves and Dashiell to abduct the rapist. They dress up as hookers and lure him into a limo. They lead him to a theatre where a Satanic sacrifice is performed. Dashiell later wipes Raymond's blood all over Bruna.
Release
In 1985, A Certain Sacrifice was released on video to capitalise on Madonna's fame. Madonna tried to buy the rights from director Stephen Jon Lewicki for $5,000. Unsuccessful, she then attempted to ban the film from being seen. Stephen Lewicki invited her to view it; Madonna was reportedly unhappy with the result. According to Lewicki, she had an expression of horror on her face and screamed: "Fuck you".
Despite Madonna's second thoughts about having participated in this movie, Lewicki had nothing but compliments for her. One of his oft-repeated stories was how he "discovered" Madonna and was amazed that she hand-wrote a three-page letter for a part that didn't even pay. She was actually paid $100 - the only cast member who was paid - but that was only because she was short on her apartment rent and Lewicki paid her to help out.
To author Christopher Andersen, who wrote the 1991 biography Madonna Unauthorized, Lewicki said: "That woman has more sensuality in her ear than most women have anywhere on their bodies."
Actor Jeremy Pattnosh wrote and performed several songs in the film, including: "Certain Sacrifice (Raymond Hall Must Die Tonight)" & "Screamin' Demon Lover".
Reception
Several mischievously positively reviews found their way onto the video packaging:
"It's Madonna's turn to have her past exposed, Madonna is hot as a pistol, she's sexy as hell." - New York Post
"A Certain Sacrifice is an hour-long melodrama of surprising intensity and value." - Spin
"A bizarre story of urban terror and ritual barbarism." - The Film and Video Independent
"The shocking movie Madonna won't talk about." - National Examiner
"This is not 'Bambi'" - Philadelphia Daily News
UK Video Releases
There are four UK video releases during this period. The first, and the most numerous being issued at the height of Madonna's fame in 1985, was released by True Blue Productions in a large rental-style box. As an indication of the initial interest, it was actually available to pre-order via outlets of HMV!
The second release, issued as part of 'The Collector Series' by Castle Vision, is also listed here as being released in 1985, although it was probably issued in 1993 (as according to MadonnaRecords: http://www.madonnarecords.com). The only reason it is included here on this webpage (which has a 1992 cut-off) and in the year 1985, is because the sleeve itself has two separate 1985 credits, whereas there are no credits dated 1993.
The third video, released by M.I.A (Missing In Action) which has no dated credits, is widely reported as being a 1988 reissue.
The final video, again undated, is reported by MadonnaRecords as being a 1990 release issued with copies of 'Adults Only' magazine. This perhaps explains the basic nature of packaging, with the video being housed in a flimsy cardboard slip case.
This dubious film does not offer much of interest for the UK collector. Most copies of these videos have probably found their way into landfill - which many collectors, not to mention Madonna herself, would argue is the best place for them! For that reason, they are generally quite rare appearing only periodically on Ebay but they are another example of relative scarcity not being an indication of corresponding value, hence each of these videos only being given a nominal valuation of £1.
1985 - Original release from True Blue Productions in large rental-style box
1985 - Further release from Castle Vision credited as being 1985
1988 - Reissue by M.I.A (Missing In Action)
1990 - Limited release issued with 'Adults Only' magazine
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013