Phallacies.

Phallacies [Video]. Directed and produced by Vishnu Mathur. 2000. Available from Bullfrog Films, P.O. Box 149, Oley, PA 19547, www.bullfrogfilms.com. VHS, $250.

Reviewed by Michael W. Wiederman, Ph.D., Department of Human Relations, Columbia College, 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, SC 29203; e-mail: [e-mail].

Teaching an undergraduate course in human sexuality, I am always on the lookout for quality videos for use in class. Many of the existent educational videos are dared and dry, often consisting primarily of talking heads (it can be difficult enough getting my students to listen to me, let alone a stranger on film). Videos produced for popular consumption are frequently sensationalistic and of little educational value. So, I was excited to learn of the documentary Phallacies, which is described on the box as "An unfettered study of the phallus' place in history, art, religion, and contemporary life."

The program, which runs just under 45 minutes, was an episode of the series "The Nature of Things" by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Phallacies consists of about a half dozen major topics or segments woven together by their common theme: the penis. The first brief segment highlights an evolutionary context for sex differences and men's relatively greater aggressiveness and competition. The logistics and rationale for such an evolutionary sex differences are not detailed, yet Helen Fisher is briefly interviewed as she highlights what our distant ancestral setting likely was like. The link between these early sex differences and the penis is tenuous at best.

From here the video focuses on the phallus as an ancient and cross-cultural symbol of fertility and an important aspect of various religions. In particular, Hinduism and the lingam, or phallic symbol associated with the god Siva, are highlighted. The primary point is that the phallus was often viewed as having many more meanings than just a symbol of sexual pleasure. The viewer is shown sexually explicit carvings in ancient Hindu temples, and at a subsequent point in the program the focus is on how the phallus has influenced modern architecture and art. During another segment the link between the penis, primarily its size and erectile ability, and western conceptualizations of masculinity are highlighted.

Two of the segments, each about 10 minutes in length, stand out for their potential use in the classroom. One of them focuses on erectile dysfunction and treatment. Here the viewer meets two sets of older couples in which the male experienced erectile failure. This segment highlights well the shame and embarrassment that often accompany erectile dysfunction as we learn that in one of the couples it took two years of the wife coaxing the husband before he finally consulted a professional (physician). This man was one of the research participants in the clinical trials of sildenafil (Viagra) and was happy with his reaction to the drug. The second couple highlights a much more open attitude and communication pattern related to their sexual difficulties. Their treatment of choice was the vacuum pump, and the man illustrates how the device works (albeit by inserting his fingers rather than his penis). The openness and positive outlook this couple displays is refreshing, and is a marked contrast to the other couple.

From the segment on dysfunction and treatment the program shifts to the other segment I found most educationally valuable. Against a backdrop of professionals and men on the street discussing penis size and penis envy, the viewer meets "Greg," a man undergoing penile enlargement surgery. This segment aptly illustrates men's concern with penis size, their frequent misperceptions as to their own penis size, and the much greater focus men compared to women place on the penis. The surgeon readily admits that virtually all of his patients have penises of average or above-average length to start with, yet the men feel self-conscious and inadequate over their penis size. This segment would serve well to launch a classroom discussion of whether body image concerns are best treated psychologically or surgically, a discussion that would have implications for sex reassignment surgery as well.

The last 5 minutes of the program are of little educational value, and I would stop the video after the previous segment when showing the program in class. In these last 5 minutes the viewer meets a man in India who has renounced his family and materialistic way of life to reach a higher spiritual plane. The only link I could see to the theme of the program was the fact that the lifestyle this and similar men chose includes celibacy, yet that aspect was never highlighted or explored. I was left wondering why this brief segment was included at all. The program then ended with the obligatory brief wrap up segment.

Overall, Phallacies is an engaging and provocative documentary that blends different media to illustrate its points. It does include its share of talking heads, a couple of which have rather strong accents that may make it difficult for students to understand what the speaker is saying. Student interest will be bolstered, however, by the inclusion of several clips from popular films and television programs. For example, we see the macho ideal in clips from the movies Shane and Dirty Harry, and media portrayals of erectile failure are highlighted with brief clips from the movie The Full Monty and the television program Ally McBeal.

The host and narrator is David Suzuki, who appears very comfortable and forthright when discussing the topic with those being interviewed. Most of the professionals interviewed are from Canada, yet there are scenes from around the world, emphasizing the cross-cultural nature of many of the issues. Still, it is clear that most of the topics discussed are western and contemporary. For a comprehensive examination of the intersection between culture and the penis, I would expect at least some coverage of the large penis sheaths worn in some cultures, circumcision and subincision, and the various ways the penis has been altered for cosmetic, religious, or sexual reasons. Unfortunately, these topics were not included in the program.

Would I recommend the video for classroom use? Yes, with some reservations. I certainly plan to show at least the two segments on erectile dysfunction and therapy and on penis size, penis envy, and penis enlargement surgery. Each of these segments might fit best at different points in the course, and each segment could stand alone in that regard. Also, the segment having to do with Hinduism and cross-cultural observance of phallic symbols would be useful to emphasize that not everyone shares western views of sexuality. Similarly, the brief segment on the link between the penis and masculinity would be appropriate to show during the portion of the course dealing with gender role issues.

The primary prohibition in using this video for undergraduate sexuality courses may be the cost. The program itself is interesting and of high quality, but unfortunately its ultimate worth as a classroom aid may depend on the budget of the instructor and his or her educational institution.