Videodrome

1983
R
1h 27m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

106K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer1:13

Body Horror Cyber Thriller Horror Sci-Fi Thriller

A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

106K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,677

860

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 7 nominations

Trivia
Three different endings were filmed. The ending used in the film was James Woods' idea.

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 that was cut from the theatrical release to get an "R" rating:
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 reviews363

Review

Featured review

"Long live the new flesh!"

Videodrome is truly a surreal experience. I do not want to include too much information as that would spoil the film for "virgin" viewers. If you are familiar with Cronenberg's work, you may have an inkling of what you're in for. Videodrome can drive one to the brink of madness, and then tell you you've been there for an hour and a half. From scene to scene you can't tell what's real and what is in James Wood's imagination. It's utter insanity, but it's great at the same time. This film is a good companion piece with Cronenberg's Existenze. When you can wrap the audience up in your movie, you have accomplished something few have. And David Cronenberg seems to do that time and again. Cronenberg is not for the faint of heart, definitely.