The Watford Blue Movie Trial: regulating rollers in 1970s Britain

This article uses the example of a forgotten obscenity case from 1974 to show processes involved in production and distribution British hardcore pornographic 8-mm films, known trade as rollers. It also gives attention legal framework affecting pornography at this time, showing how Director Public Prosecutions, against backdrop increasing tabloid on transnational corruption Metropolitan police, used Obscene Publications Act 1959 conjunction with other laws increase chances conviction. The draws findings methodology that combines approaches law ethnohistory, using court records alongside media reportage. I suggest such an approach can help further understanding frameworks for pornography, well revealing has been subject regulation control.