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:

First it controlled her mind, then it destroyed her body... Long live the new flesh!

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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

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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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: I believe that the growth in my head-this head-this one right here. I think that it is not really a tumor... not an uncontrolled, undirected little bubbling pot of flesh... but that it is in fact a new organ... a new part of the brain.

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Crazy Credits

The VIDEODROME title experiences a TV white noise distortion.

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Alternate Versions

The original UK cinema release featured the U.S R-rated print. The initial 1987 UK video version was pre-edited by 3 minutes before submission and the longer US R-rated version was released uncut on video in 1990 (this is the currently available UK DVD version). The unrated U.S 'Director's Cut' has also been released on laserdisc in the UK, rated 18.

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Connections

References The Lady in Red (1979)

User Reviews

schlock value

Media manipulation and mind control are the subjects of shock-master David Cronenberg's bizarre satirical fantasy, and his treatment of the well-worn topic is unorthodox, to say the least. James Woods (in a typically intense performance) stars as a cable TV pornographer who stumbles upon the mysterious transmission of a hardcore S&M program, exposure to which can cause wild hallucinations and horrifying physical mutations. So begins his evolution into 'the new flesh', a creature that can be programmed much like any videocassette recorder, but with far more disgusting visceral detail. Probably the only person to whom any of this makes sense is Cronenberg himself, who shies away from a tidy resolution by letting the plot degenerate into an exhibition of messy special effects. Whatever topical message the film might have had is beside the point: the only real reason to recommend it is for the gratuitous thrill of watching bodies erupt into putrescence.