Videodrome

UPC: 025192038723

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Gore]

Summary: Hardcore pornography, sadomasochism, mind control, and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome, one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn (James Woods), a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex-oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome," which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued, Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search, he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki (Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry), technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion, and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows, and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore (courtesy of Rick Baker) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Category: Horror

Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Genie Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion – Genie Awards Best Supporting Actress – Genie Awards Best Cinematography – Genie Awards Best Director – Genie Awards Best Editing – Genie Awards Best Screenplay – Genie Awards Best Art Direction – Genie Awards Best Supporting Actor – Genie Awards Best Supporting Actor – Genie Awards Film Presented – Rotterdam International Film Festival

Features: Production notes
Cast and filmmakers' bios
Film highlights
Theatrical trailer

Videodrome

Format: DVD

Release Date: 09/08/1998

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: 1 USA & territories, Canada, 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 89 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: French,Spanish,English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 -- Widescreen Version
0. Chapter List
1. Main Titles [3:07]
2. Samurai Dreams [5:46]
3. The Rena King Show [2:10]
4. Looking for the Contemporary [7:28]
5. The Cathode Ray Mission [7:53]
6. The Battle for the Mind [:45]
7. Meeting O'Blivion [6:45]
8. Changing Reality [1:12]
9. Barry Convex [5:41]
10. Harlan Confesses [1:05]
11. Following Orders [1:29]
12. An Assassin [2:51]
13. Death to Videodrome [3:03]
14. The Visitation [7:37]
15. The Transformation [1:22]
16. End Titles [5:56]

Jonathan Crow

Well before he adapted William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch, David Cronenberg's debt to the beat writer was laid bare with Videodrome, a phantasmagoric journey through fractured psyches and cathode tubes. The film features several of Burroughs's trademarks, including a stream-of-consciousness narrative, a paranoid, conspiratorial tone, and overriding themes of desire and addiction. At the same time, this movie is perhaps the best articulated vision of Cronenberg's ongoing exploration of the edges of technology and human physiology. Detailing the transformation of a sleazy television producer into literal media terrorist, Cronenberg presents a world of pulsating videotapes, televisions that undulate like flesh, and large, vagina-like abdomen slashes that function as a biomechanic VCR. Though the technology, special-effects, and fashion sensibilities all seem dated, Cronenberg's basic questioning of the media through Max Renn's particular psychological affliction seems more relevant today than it did when his film was first released. As technology becomes more advanced, Cronenberg explores not only whether it will affect our sense of reality but also our evolution as a species. His Videodrome is a postmodern masterpiece that unsettles, shocks, and provokes. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Harvey Chao  Actor 
Kay Hawtry  Actor 
Jayne Eastwood  Actor 
David Bolt  Actor 
Bob Church  Actor 
Rainer Schwartz  Actor 
Henry Gomez  Actor 
David Cronenberg  Director 
David Cronenberg  Screenwriter 
Pierre David  Executive Producer 
Claude Heroux  Producer 
Howard Shore  Composer (Music Score) 
Victor Solnicki  Executive Producer 
James Woods  Actor 
Sonja Smits  Actor 
Deborah Harry  Actor 
Peter Dvorsky  Actor 
Les Carlson  Actor 
Jack Creley  Actor 
Lynne Gorman  Actor 
Julie Khaner  Actor 
Lally Cadeau  Actor 
Sam Malkin  Actor 

Country: Canada