In setting out to recapture classic scenes from the Falcon Studios portfolio, Marc MacNamara has sought not only to honor the company's rich history but also to infuse the production with modern flair. The result: “Falcon 1971.”
“After all these years, this is the first Falcon movie I have directed,” MacNamara says. “It’s such an iconic brand, and I felt incredibly grateful to be trusted with adding to their amazing legacy. I wanted to create something really special.
This movie is a bridge between the erotic entertainment of the past and the filmmaking techniques of today — a perfect combination for every fan of gay adult movies.
“I knew in the early stages of planning this production that I wanted to incorporate the legends who paved the way for us,” he continues. “I spent a good amount of time watching and researching scenes from Falcon’s earliest years, choosing five scenes that I felt had a simple yet very raw and real nature to them.”
MacNamara then considered how best to weave the scenes together, and particularly how to showcase what was special about the originals while adding some spice and fresh energy.
“That’s when I decided to recreate my favorite moments from the vintage scenes shot-for-shot, and pay homage to exactly how the original vision was,” he explains. “The models were all fantastic in that they understood the assignment; they watched the original content and delivered their own fresh takes on the material. I’m really thrilled with how the movie turned out, and I know that longtime Falcon fans and new viewers alike will appreciate the content.”
Of course, picking just five scenes from such an enormous library was no small feat.
“There were so many great scenes that were on my initial list to recreate,” MacNamara recalls. “It really came down to keeping it simple. That was a common thread in the early years: the sex scenes were simple, provocative, relatable and raw. That was a style I wanted to get back to in ‘Falcon 1971.’ It doesn’t so much reinvent the genre as reframe it in a very modern way.
“It’s interesting to see how trends and sexual tastes have evolved throughout the years and how much more conversational people are now about their desires and needs,” he reflects. “This movie is a bridge between the erotic entertainment of the past and the filmmaking techniques of today — a perfect combination for every fan of gay adult movies.”
For the scene starring Joseph Hart and Johnny Donovan, MacNamara sought to recapture an original hookup scene from 1979’s “Champs,” a key component of which was the use of a boat. Procuring one proved challenging, as three separate boats canceled on him the day of the shoot.
“As with many production plans, hurdles kept being thrown in our path,” he says, adding that the punches the team had to roll with were made even tougher given tight budgeting.
“I’m not one to give up, though,” he declares. “Never have been.”
Through a blend of tenacity and problem-solving savvy, MacNamara finally locked in a boat similar to the one used in the original film, and the crew hit the waters immediately, having already lost precious time.
“Joseph and Johnny looked stunning in their ’70s attire, which made it easy to recapture the magic from ‘Champs,’ and I think they really loved their time on the water. Who wouldn’t want to get wet with the two of them?”
Next up was a Reese Rideout and Matty West scene looking to harness what made 1978’s “The Other Side of Aspen” so magical in its heyday. MacNamara describes the original as one of the most iconic and well-known gay porn movies of all time.
“I wanted to hold true to the original theme by casting Reese Rideout,” he says. “Reese has a genuine appeal and superstar staying power that have kept him at the top of his game for an admirable period of time. His legendary status most definitely added a unique shine to the project, and Matty West has this manly glamour to him that is so appealing. We really nailed the sweet spot in pairing these two. Their chemistry is off the charts.”
Another standout scene from that era was “Upperclassman,” the recreation of which stars Baxx and Joseph Hart. It turned out to be MacNamara’s favorite of the bunch.
“We shot it at FabScout Studios in Florida, on their jail cell set,” he explains. “We were able to find authentic period clothing from the ’70s, which was a huge part of bringing ‘Upperclassman’ back to life. Again, it was a very simple concept done really well. That’s all we needed, and Baxxx and Joseph nailed it. A stripped-down concept with the hottest stripped-down men — what more could a guy ask for?”
With Alexander Muller and Ro Reyes, MacNamara sought to recreate the 1980 Falcon classic “Double Whammy.” The tribute gains an extra edge due to the fact that it was Ro’s very first scene ever.
“I knew that, within this movie that so faithfully references that past, I wanted to have at least one cast member who was shooting for the first time,” MacNamara says. “It was a nice way to usher in a new class to this industry and, to a large degree, bring the concept full-circle.”
Lastly, the Ty Santana and Johnny Donovan pairing for “Ramcharger” taps into the spirit of the 1984 original with faithful verve.
“This was another very fun scene with models who had amazing natural chemistry,” MacNamara shares. “We drove a beautiful vintage car all around this bay-side park, and the guys were having so much fun together. There’s nothing better than a genuine connection, especially when it translates so well to film. Their energy is palpable throughout the entire scene, and it’s front-and-center in the footage.”
Generally speaking, MacNamara’s approach came down to locations, true-to-form vibes and nailing the little details.
“Once I decided to do the actual recreation of the ’70s scenes, I had to sit back and think of a way to enter that world,” MacNamara reflects. “I ended up finding this amazing ’70s hotel and filming Johnny Donovan checking in — as well as shooting the TV that’s playing only classic Falcon ’70s porn. So, we juxtaposed the modern entry with the past and started reliving it, shot-for-shot.
“It wound up being the perfect way to shift between the ’70s and the present day,” he says. “I’m really proud of how it turned out, and I think fans will appreciate the attention to detail and the nods to the movies that have kept them cumming for more than five decades.”
Remarking on whether “Falcon 1971” is a one-and-done or could become a series, and if he is looking at other history-inspired projects, MacNamara explains that right now, he has an obsession with the 1990s.
“I would love to tap into that era and bring something really fun to the screen,” he remarks. “Maybe a ’90s Olympic movie or a ’90s slasher film — or it could just be capturing the style of shooting of the more hand-held era of camcorders. Something grunge-y, maybe? Let’s pull out those fanny packs and cargo pants!”
