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Videodrome

  • 1983
  • R
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
107K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,294
534
James Woods and Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer1:13
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Body HorrorCyber ThrillerDramaHorrorSci-FiThriller

A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.

  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • Debbie Harry
    • Sonja Smits
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    107K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,294
    534
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • Stars
      • James Woods
      • Debbie Harry
      • Sonja Smits
    • 377User reviews
    • 176Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    Videodrome
    Trailer 1:13
    Videodrome
    Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?
    Clip 4:00
    Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?
    Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?
    Clip 4:00
    Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?

    Photos185

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    + 179
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    Top cast20

    Edit
    James Woods
    James Woods
    • Max Renn
    Debbie Harry
    Debbie Harry
    • Nicki Brand
    • (as Deborah Harry)
    Sonja Smits
    Sonja Smits
    • Bianca O'Blivion
    Peter Dvorsky
    Peter Dvorsky
    • Harlan
    Leslie Carlson
    Leslie Carlson
    • Barry Convex
    • (as Les Carlson)
    Jack Creley
    Jack Creley
    • Brian O'Blivion
    Lynne Gorman
    Lynne Gorman
    • Masha
    Julie Khaner
    Julie Khaner
    • Bridey
    Reiner Schwarz
    • Moses
    David Bolt
    • Raphael
    Lally Cadeau
    Lally Cadeau
    • Rena King
    Henry Gomez
    • Brolley
    Harvey Chao
    • Japanese Salesman
    David Tsubouchi
    • Japanese Salesman
    Kay Hawtrey
    Kay Hawtrey
    • Matron
    Sam Malkin
    • Sidewalk Derelict
    Bob Church
    • Newscaster
    Jayne Eastwood
    Jayne Eastwood
    • Woman Caller
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Three different endings were filmed. The ending used in the film was James Woods' idea.
    • Goofs
      When Max returns to Spectacular Optical near the end of the film, a sign for prescriptions reads 'perscriptions'.
    • Quotes

      Brian O'Blivion: The battle for the mind of North America will be fought in the video arena: the Videodrome. The television screen is the retina of the mind's eye. Therefore, the television screen is part of the physical structure of the brain. Therefore, whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television.

    • Crazy credits
      The VIDEODROME title experiences a TV white noise distortion.
    • Alternate versions
      The director's cut (available in the US on VHS and DVD) contains the following additional footage that was cut from the theatrical release to get an "R" rating:
      • During the "Samurai Dreams" scene, a dildo, only partly shown in the "R" rated version, is fully visible.
      • The first shot of videodrome in Harlan's workroom runs longer.
      • The next scene in Harlan's workroom shows a different, and more graphic take of videodrome broadcast.
      • The scene in which Max pierces Nicki's ear has been extended.
      • The shot of Max shooting his second partner is slightly longer.
      • Barry Convex's death goes another shot.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Phoenix Portal (2005)

    User reviews377

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    Videodrome

    This movie was a TRIP. Really had no idea what to expect when I popped it on until I saw that it was a Conenberg film. Of course, by then I knew I'd be in for something strange but I still wasn't prepared for this interesting and disturbingly still relevant tale of how the media we consume effects us as people. How we become exposed to something, an idea, a frequency of thought, a movement and it can grow in us like a cancer until nothing makes sense anymore. In a post-2020 world I think that's more relevant than ever, this notion that what we see can change us and our perceptions. Cronenberg was doing this in '83 though.

    Really, only downside is that it does feel pretty sloppy at times. The body horror is sometimes a useful tool and at others feels very unnecessary. It's rough around the edges and while I enjoy the central concept and idea of the film, it could have definitely done with a little more polish.

    Would oddly love to see this one revisited and modernized a touch.
    • questl-18592
    • Apr 9, 2023
    • Permalink

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Videodrome?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the R-Rated version and the Unrated Version?
    • What would Freud say about a woman in a red dress?
    • What are the differences between the old UK VHS Version and the R-Rated Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 4, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official Site (Canada)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Japanese
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Cuerpos invadidos
    • Filming locations
      • 6 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada(CIVIC TV)
    • Production companies
      • Filmplan International
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
      • Famous Players Limited
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,952,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,120,439
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,194,175
      • Feb 6, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,127,188
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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