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Videodrome

  • 19831983
  • RR
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
91K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,540
262
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
James Woods and Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer1:13
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
  • Thriller
A programmer at a TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
91K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,540
262
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • Debbie Harry
    • Sonja Smits
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • James Woods
    • Debbie Harry
    • Sonja Smits
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 306User reviews
    • 149Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos1

    Videodrome
    Trailer 1:13
    Videodrome

    Photos163

    James Woods in Videodrome (1983)
    James Woods and Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
    James Woods and Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
    James Woods in Videodrome (1983)
    Julie Khaner in Videodrome (1983)
    Sonja Smits in Videodrome (1983)
    Sonja Smits in Videodrome (1983)
    Lynne Gorman in Videodrome (1983)
    Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
    Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)
    Lally Cadeau in Videodrome (1983)
    Debbie Harry in Videodrome (1983)

    Top cast

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

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David Tsubouchi, who appears here briefly as a Japanese porn dealer, later became a Minister in the Ontario provincial government. His appearance in this controversial film as a pornographer was exploited by the opposition.
    • 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:
      • 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 reviews306

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    David Cronenberg's "Videodrome".
    Videodrome (1983) was a bizarre film that David Cronenberg made before he become a "director-for-hire" for his next couple of films. He takes a cerebral look at the ever popular fad of pirate satellite feeds and small-time t.v. channels. It was during this time that video tapes and satellite t.v. were becoming popular. Cronenberg decided to uses these and make a very strange and clinically sexually film. As with all of his films the sex seems mechanical, neither stimulating or sensual.

    James Woods stars as the part owner of a small t.v. station who pirates satellite feeds and scours the world for erotic film and programming that he could use for his station. That is until one day he stumbles across a video feed that he wished he never had. He slowly becomes addicted to the perverse violence and sex that he witnesses on the tapes. But soon his life and those around him will be changed forever. Debra Harry co-stars as Woods love interest who slowly enjoys the tapes, more so than Woods.

    Videodrome is a film that has to be seen to be believed. Yes, it's one of those films that has built up a following over the years and a reputation. This is one of the films that deserves it. However I must warn you that this is a Cronenberg film so thinking will be necessary when viewing it. The effects and visuals are quite the show. Croneneberg keeps his theme from the past films such as Shivers, Rabid and Scanners. We must welcome the new flesh!

    Highly recommended.

    This film is available in an R-rated and Unrated versions. For full enjoyment please watch the unrated director's cut. If you watch the R-rated version not only will you miss out on all of the cool visuals and effects but you'll be pretty much confused
    helpful•55
    20
    • Captain_Couth
    • Oct 13, 2004

    FAQ4

    • 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 page (Canada)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Japanese
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Відеодром
    • Filming locations
      • 6 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Filmplan International
      • Guardian Trust Company
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
    • 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
      • $2,120,439
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

    Related news

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