Videodrome (1983)

When he acquires a different kind of show for his station, a sleazy cable-TV programmer begins to see his life and the future of media spin out of control in a terrifying new reality.

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writer:

David Cronenberg

Stars:

James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Woods	...	Max Renn
Sonja Smits	...	Bianca O'Blivion
Debbie Harry	...	Nicki Brand (as Deborah Harry)
Peter Dvorsky	...	Harlan
Leslie Carlson	...	Barry Convex (as Les Carlson)
Jack Creley	...	Brian O'Blivion
Lynne Gorman	...	Masha
Julie Khaner	...	Bridey
Reiner Schwarz	...	Moses
David Bolt	...	Raphael
Lally Cadeau	...	Rena King
Henry Gomez	...	Brolley
Harvey Chao	...	Japanese Salesman
David Tsubouchi	...	Japanese Salesman
Kay Hawtrey	...	Matron

Storyline

Max Renn is the President of Channel 83 Civic-TV, a small television station on the UHF dial. He defends his programming of largely X-rated shows - which depict graphic sex and extreme violence - as a pure matter of economic survival as a small station. Behind closed doors in specific company, he would admit that he enjoys such programming, but as President will stay away from associated activities that may be dangerous for him in its purchase. His current girlfriend, radio personality Nicki Brand, who he met on a television talk show, is sexually aroused by light mutilation on her person, that despite or because her radio show is like an open air crisis hotline. On that same talk show, the other guest via video feed was Professor Brian O'Blivion - solely his stage name - who believes that television and video broadcasts will one day overtake the world as reality, which may make Max's programming in combination more dangerous. In Max's search for the next big thing in like programming...

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Plot Keywords:

snuff film | cable television | suicide | television station | woman in skirt dress tortured | 

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Taglines:

From David Cronenberg, Creator of 'Scanners'.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Videodrome

Filming Locations:

6 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$5,952,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,194,175, 6 February 1983, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$2,120,439, 13 February 1983

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmplan International, Guardian Trust Company, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 89 min (uncut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tugboat used at the end belonged to gaffer Jock Brandis.

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Goofs

When Max returns to Spectacular Optical near the end of the film, a sign for prescriptions reads 'perscriptions'.

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Quotes

Brian O'Blivion: That's why I never appear on television, except when I'm on television.

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Crazy Credits

The VIDEODROME title experiences a TV white noise distortion.

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Alternate Versions

The TV version first released to syndicated television is a significantly different edit with extra/additional material as follows: -A very different and extended introduction with longer opening titles presented over red themed paintings. -A longer version of Max's business meeting with the Japanese salesmen, including a reminiscence about a girl in a Hong Kong hotel, a sinister foreshadowing of the disappearing Videodrome performers. -Extended Sales Meeting at Civic TV. -A very brief additional line of dialogue in Harlan's lab. -An extension of the scene with Max and Nicki watching Videodrome. -Masha comments how Max looks tired and exhausted but makes her sales pitch. -Max takes a longer walk down Skid Row, and gets offered two meal choices during an extended scene inside the Cathode Ray Mission. -An extended version of Brian's monologue in which he comments, "You've got a nice little addiction going." -Nicki calls Max and explains that she was behind his first major hallucination, and Brian makes a return appearance telling Max to take advantage of his position. -Nicki picks up Max in a limo, and notes how much she likes his current incarnation, including his "sick and wonderful" hallucinations. -Barry Convex offers a greatly expanded backstory about the optical accumulator as a military device. -Max walks down the street and see a very different version of himself in a store window. -"It's Always Painful to change the program". -An alternate, shortened version of Barry Conex's assassination, made "safe" for US TV. -Max nervously sees a news report about the shootings on TV and encounters a mentally disturbed homeless man. -An extended version of Max's solo excursion deeper into the heart of the city and his own psyche, revealing more of the boat interior. -TV Epilogue - Pivotal lines of dialogue from the main characters are reiterated over the same paintings seen over the opening titles. (All the above are available on the 2015 Arrow Video UK Blu-ray release).

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Connections

References Up from the Depths (1979)

User Reviews

"Long live the new flesh!"

Videodrome is truly a surreal experience. I do not want to include too much information as that would spoil the film for "virgin" viewers. If you are familiar with Cronenberg's work, you may have an inkling of what you're in for. Videodrome can drive one to the brink of madness, and then tell you you've been there for an hour and a half. From scene to scene you can't tell what's real and what is in James Wood's imagination. It's utter insanity, but it's great at the same time. This film is a good companion piece with Cronenberg's Existenze. When you can wrap the audience up in your movie, you have accomplished something few have. And David Cronenberg seems to do that time and again. Cronenberg is not for the faint of heart, definitely.