Videodrome [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: David Cronenberg David Cronenberg

Overview

"In this David Cronenberg film, a strange television show called Videodrome, which shows uncut, unedited films of seemingly real human torture and murder, is intercepted by cable-television programmer Max Renn (James Woods) who specializes in soft-core pornography. Fascinated, and hoping to duplicate some of what he sees for his own audience, Max searches to discover the show's producer and place of origin. He also begins an intense sadomasochistic affair with the mysterious Nicki (Debbie Harry).The scene where Max meets Nicki on a television talk show and seduces her -- to the great consternation of the hostess -- is hilarious. Along with a more than academic interest in shape objects and Swiss army knives, Nicki is also drawn to Videodrome, but wants to be a participant rather than part of the audience. When she disappears, Max becomes obsessed by his search, which leads him to a the daughter of a mysterious media guru, Bianca O'Blivion (Sonja Smits). What he discovers both frightens and fascinates Max, leading to the unusual and ambiguous conclusion. James Woods brings great intensity and an off-beat sensuality to the character of Max. Rock star Debbie Harry is sexy and intriguing as the very kinky Nicki. The film is marred by some thematic inconsistencies and an unsatisfactory conclusion, but Cronenberg, who wrote and directed, creates a dark and mesmerizingly atmospheric vision."

Product Details

Release Date:	12/07/2010
UPC:	0715515062510
Original Release:	1982
Rating:	R
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:29:00

Special Features

Two audio commentaries, one featuring Cronenberg and Irwin, the other actors James Woods and Deborah Harry; Camera (2000), a short film by Cronenberg; Forging the new flesh, a half-hour documentary by filmmaker Michael Lennick about videodrome's video and prosthetic makeup effects; Effects men, an audio interview with makeup effects creator Rick Baker and video effects supervisor Lennick; Bootleg video, the complete footage of Samurai Dreams and seven minutes of other transmissions from videodrone, presented in their original, unedited form, with filmmaker commentary; Fear on film, a roundtable discussion from 1982 with Cronenberg and filmmakers John Carpenter, John Landis, and Mick Garris; Original theatrical trailers and promotional featurette; Stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes production photos and posters; Plus: a booklet featuring essays by writers Carrie Rickey, Tim Lucas, and Gary Indiana

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

James Woods	Max Renn
Sonja Smits	Bianca O'Blivion
Deborah Harry	Nicki Brand
Peter Dvorsky	Harlan
Les Carlson	Barry Convex,Barry Convex
Jack Creley	Prof. Brian O'Blivion
Lynne Gorman	Masha
Julie Khaner	Briley
Reiner Schwarz	Moses
David Bolt	Rafe
Lally Cadeau	Rena King
Sam Malkin	Bum
Bob Church	Newscaster
Jayne Eastwood	Caller
Franciszka Hedland	Bellydancer
Harvey Chao	Salesman
David Tsubouchi	Salesman
Henry Gomez	Brolley
Kay Hawtrey	Matron
Rainer Schwartz	Actor
Kay Hawtry	Matron
Howard Shore	Composer

Technical Credits

David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg	Director,Screenwriter
Pierre David	Executive Producer,Producer
Victor Solnicki	Executive Producer,Producer
Claude Heroux	Producer
Rick Baker	Special Effects
Frank Carere	Special Effects
Michael Lennick	Special Effects
Claude Héroux	Producer
James Stuart Allan	Special Effects
Charles Bowers	Sound Effects
Peter Burgess	Sound Effects
Terry Burke	Sound Effects
Elius Caruso	Sound Effects
Michele Cook	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

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.