This sleek, sexy movie is a must-see. Only upon multiple viewings can one truly understand the uniqueness of this film. Personally I enjoy the narrator for his intelligent, no subject left untouched, style of narration. The introduction grips you right away, and holds you at the edge of your seat throughout the film. He provides wonderful insight into the world of the trainables and allows the audience to really 'connect' with internal horror this film exhibits. The script itself holds the movie together wonderfully. Not only for kids, but the elderly alike will gain a higher understanding of the trainables and the modern grasp that they have on the sexual experience. Ahead of its time and groundbreaking in cinematography, it surely defines the word 'masterpiece'.
6 Reviews
8.5/10. Scroll Down to the Second Paragraph for Review.
hudsonvalleyvhs11 January 2023
Just be thankful that you were not an mildly autistic teenager in 1976. On a seemingly average Tuesday in October, your mother watched "The ABC of Sex Education for Trainables" at the misguided bleeding heart school counselor's request. She was summoned that autumn afternoon because he was concerned that you seemingly had trouble making friends. You were just a quiet guy but your life was never the same going foward. She started talking to you about how natural it is to touch yourself "down there", she asked you if it feels good, and assured you that it's normal and you should not be embarrased. You were envious of the other boys who were threatened with blindness, hairy palms and damnation. She was desperate to put her new found knowledge into action as often as possible. As the film stated, repetition is the only way trainables learn (that's why they are trainables not teachables after all). She started randomly barging into your room early in the morning like the understanding mother featured in the film. There were no boundaries, there was no escape. If both hands were not clearly visible, you had this discussion. The shower was no different, she had a stockpile of toiletries that needed to be put away at a momments notice. You had poor communication skills, its why you were deemed a "trainable" in the first place, this same communication issue made you unable to even begin to know how to ask your mother to stop these talks. This was your life now. Hallmark films and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania had shattered your world. 20 minutes of 16mm film likely created a sardonic hellscape for you and dozens of other adolecent boys. They remain in my prayers, and I suggest they be included in yours.
In fairness it's more honest than the typical Sexual Education film of the 1970s, and definitely has some helpful advice for a very difficult subject. The information showing how to prepare the developmentally disabled for potential predators is (sadly) necessary and worthwhile, it was also accidently hilarious. This Hallmark Films is better than the current ones (sorry Lacey Chabert). The whole 16mm film was definitely well within the "so bad it's good" camp. The use of actually disabled people gives it a unsettling Tod Browning vibe. The beginning feels like a sleazy made for TV horror movie and than quickly switches to our narrator, complete with extreme Jesus Franco close-ups. The following scene with the chalkboard is of legend (im not going to spoil it here) and it gets progressivly more awkward from there, peaking with the scene I "discussed" initially above at around the thirteen minute mark. Obviously terms like "trainable" and "retardates" raises eyebrows, but language changes with time, and likely our momentary proper terminology will also become dated, offensive or ridiculous. Though I have the ability to watch film on 16mm this is unfortunately not how I watched this one. The film was included as part of Fantoma's "Educational Archives", it's a four DVD set, all within a nifty metal lunchbox (with the thermos!) It's still readily available new online for around $25. Hours of educational films including classics like "Shake Hands With Danger", "Lunchroom Manners" (with that dastardly Mr. Bungle") and my personal favorite "LSD - A Case Study". I highly recommend it along with the second Fantoma four DVD school locker set. You can also watch it on YouTube if physical media is not your thing.
In fairness it's more honest than the typical Sexual Education film of the 1970s, and definitely has some helpful advice for a very difficult subject. The information showing how to prepare the developmentally disabled for potential predators is (sadly) necessary and worthwhile, it was also accidently hilarious. This Hallmark Films is better than the current ones (sorry Lacey Chabert). The whole 16mm film was definitely well within the "so bad it's good" camp. The use of actually disabled people gives it a unsettling Tod Browning vibe. The beginning feels like a sleazy made for TV horror movie and than quickly switches to our narrator, complete with extreme Jesus Franco close-ups. The following scene with the chalkboard is of legend (im not going to spoil it here) and it gets progressivly more awkward from there, peaking with the scene I "discussed" initially above at around the thirteen minute mark. Obviously terms like "trainable" and "retardates" raises eyebrows, but language changes with time, and likely our momentary proper terminology will also become dated, offensive or ridiculous. Though I have the ability to watch film on 16mm this is unfortunately not how I watched this one. The film was included as part of Fantoma's "Educational Archives", it's a four DVD set, all within a nifty metal lunchbox (with the thermos!) It's still readily available new online for around $25. Hours of educational films including classics like "Shake Hands With Danger", "Lunchroom Manners" (with that dastardly Mr. Bungle") and my personal favorite "LSD - A Case Study". I highly recommend it along with the second Fantoma four DVD school locker set. You can also watch it on YouTube if physical media is not your thing.
Don't really know what to make of this one
Mike Sh.24 May 2004
I'm somewhat of two minds about this instructional short, made for teachers and social workers who assisted the developmentally handicapped. One the one hand, it addressed a real need in the education of the developmentally disabled, who though they may lack the intellectual capabilities of others, still have to deal with their sexuality like anyone else, and need guidance in this area as much as anyone else. This film makes an honest (perhaps even heroic) effort to deal with this delicate topic with sensitivity and common sense. Moreover, the "trainables" (this rather patronizing term notwithstanding) are depicted with great respect for their dignity as human beings. And yet....
I found certain facets of this film's presentation a little disturbing. I'm not sure if it's the gaudy 1970's clothing and hair styles, or the use of very tight facial closeups (including several of the narrator, which offer the viewer several seconds of unflattering footage of every pore on his large pock-marked face). Then there are several extremely awkward minutes of a perky young teacher filling an entire blackboard full of slangy synonyms for the, ..., uh, ... membrum virile for the benefit of her bewildered students.
To this film's credit, it is really only risible to the extent that it makes the teachers seem goofy; the "trainables" are, in contrast, models of human dignity. It is certainly a product of the 1970's, a time in which the idealistic young of the 1960's were beginning to move into positions in which they could put their idealism into practice.
I found certain facets of this film's presentation a little disturbing. I'm not sure if it's the gaudy 1970's clothing and hair styles, or the use of very tight facial closeups (including several of the narrator, which offer the viewer several seconds of unflattering footage of every pore on his large pock-marked face). Then there are several extremely awkward minutes of a perky young teacher filling an entire blackboard full of slangy synonyms for the, ..., uh, ... membrum virile for the benefit of her bewildered students.
To this film's credit, it is really only risible to the extent that it makes the teachers seem goofy; the "trainables" are, in contrast, models of human dignity. It is certainly a product of the 1970's, a time in which the idealistic young of the 1960's were beginning to move into positions in which they could put their idealism into practice.
An Absolute Cult Classic!
hershiser220 July 2002
This is an educational film that could never be made in this day and age because of its content (referring to mentally challenged people as "trainables" and "retardates"). It's absolutely a laugh a minute, not only from the content, but from the narrator (which the camera zooms really close in on his hideous face), to the acting.
I showed this film to my cult films class, and the laughter kept building as it moved along. Without a doubt, watch this short film if you ever get the chance. It's one you'll never forget.
I showed this film to my cult films class, and the laughter kept building as it moved along. Without a doubt, watch this short film if you ever get the chance. It's one you'll never forget.
Shock and Awe.
mafiahitman12 April 2003
This film contains as much shock and awe as any other archaic educational film, this one is just different for some reason.
The strip begins with a girl walking down the street, who is soon approached by a man in a car. The man waves her over and begins stroking her hair. This is the "Shock" part. Then the title of the movie comes to light, and the audience is revealed the the girl is probably mentally retarded in some way. This is the "Aww..." part.
The movie is loaded with every single thing you'd probably be told in this era NOT to do. Not only that, but the audience is constantly questioning itself as to whether or not the actors playing the "retardates" are actually trainables, or whether they are actors playing as trainables. And if they are truly handicapped, do they know that they are acting?
It's not something that everyone will like, but for the sickminded and folk with the extremely twisted sense of humor, this is sure to do the trick.
NOT TO BE USED IN A SERIOUS SETTING EVER!!!
The strip begins with a girl walking down the street, who is soon approached by a man in a car. The man waves her over and begins stroking her hair. This is the "Shock" part. Then the title of the movie comes to light, and the audience is revealed the the girl is probably mentally retarded in some way. This is the "Aww..." part.
The movie is loaded with every single thing you'd probably be told in this era NOT to do. Not only that, but the audience is constantly questioning itself as to whether or not the actors playing the "retardates" are actually trainables, or whether they are actors playing as trainables. And if they are truly handicapped, do they know that they are acting?
It's not something that everyone will like, but for the sickminded and folk with the extremely twisted sense of humor, this is sure to do the trick.
NOT TO BE USED IN A SERIOUS SETTING EVER!!!
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