Videodrome **** (1983, James Woods, Debbie Harry, Sonja Smits) – Classic Movie Review 6905

Writer-director David Cronenberg’s 1983 Canadian sci-hi horror thriller film Videodrome follows Scanners (1981) as his ultimate exploration into body horror. This shocker is a deep, dank, dark and disturbing dredge through the most dangerous conflicts between mind and body.

James Woods stars as Max Renn, a sleazy cable TV programmer executive who becomes addicted to a pirate S&M channel that causes his brain and body to undergo dramatic changes. Cronenberg blurs the line between hallucination and reality, and examines the influence of the image on a disturbed mind.

The addictive properties of the TV signal cause Woods’s body to become ‘new flesh’ and allow him the freedom to explore the next phase of human development. His stomach produces a vagina-like slit which can be used as a portal for a breathing videotape that can programme him. His hand becomes fused with a gun that can shoot cancerous growths.

Quite where the plot stops and the hallucinations begin is too confused, but Cronenberg’s visual sense and extraordinary flow of ideas and images lead to a filmic experience unlike any other. Woods is mesmerising in a seemingly impossible role, and the support cast, production design and makeup (Rick Baker on top gross-out form) combine to produce a film of remarkable power.

Also in the cast are Sonja Smits as Bianca O’Blivion, Deborah [Debbie] Harry as Nicki Brand, Peter Dvorsky, Les [Leslie] Carlson, Jack Creley, Lynn Gorman, Julie Khaner, Reiner Schwartz, Lally Cadeau, Henry Gomez and David Bolt.

Videodrome is directed by David Cronenberg, runs 87 minutes or 89 minutes (unrated), is made by Filmplan International, Guardian Trust Company, Canadian Film Development Corporation and Famous Players Limited, distributed by Universal Pictures, is written by David Cronenberg, is shot by Mark Irwin, is produced by Claude Heroux and is scored by Howard Shore, with special effects by Frank Carere, Rick Baker and Michael Lennick.

Be prepared for graphic, disturbing, bizarre violent and sexual content throughout, nudity, and strong language.

Cronenberg doubles Woods for the scene where Max Renn has a helmet put on his head as Woods feared he could be electrocuted.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6905

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