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.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 7 nominations
- Nicki Brand
- (as Deborah Harry)
- Barry Convex
- (as Les Carlson)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThree different endings were filmed. The ending used in the film was James Woods' idea.
- GoofsWhen 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 creditsThe VIDEODROME title experiences a TV white noise distortion.
- Alternate versionsThe 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.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Phoenix Portal (2005)
Like "Brazil" or "Twelve Monkeys" this movie will make you think, and even though there isn't really much violence or horror, your mind will fill in the parts that aren't there. The ability of a movie to do this makes it a must-see alone. You constantly ask yourself "is this real?" just as the main character is asking the same thing.
One thing about this movie is that they never really answer a lot of things. As we watch the main character go in and out of reality, the audience is never quite sure what is really happening either. They never tell us. They never truly explain who is behind Videodrome, or even what happens to James Woods. If you didn't like the ending of Network or Twelve Monkeys, then you won't like the lack of explanation here either.
Lots of underlying messages here too, involving television, pornography, and technology - all of which are more significant today than in 1983. Note common themes such as the head in a box. Excellently made film, the only thing that would have made it better is more story.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Cuerpos invadidos
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $5,952,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,120,439
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,194,175
- Feb 6, 1983
- Gross worldwide
- $2,127,188