Press Release Criterion Press Release: Videodrome (1983) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

When Max Renn goes looking for edgy new material for his sleazy cable TV station, he stumbles across the pirate broadcast of a hyperviolent torture show called “Videodrome.” His attempts to unearth the program’s origins send him on a hallucinatory journey into a shadow world of right-wing conspiracies, sadomasochistic sex games, and bodily transformation. Starring James Woods and Deborah Harry, Videodrome is one of the most original and provocative works from writer-director David Cronenberg, and features groundbreaking makeup effects by Academy Award winner Rick Baker.

FILM INFO​

• Canada
• 1983
• 89 minutes
• Color
• 1.85:1
• English
• Spine #248
  
  

  DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

  • 4K digital restoration of the unrated version, approved by director David Cronenberg, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • Two audio commentaries, one featuring Cronenberg and director of photography Mark Irwin, the other actors James Woods and Deborah Harry
  • Camera (2000), a short film by Cronenberg
  • Forging the New Flesh, a short documentary by filmmaker Michael Lennick about the creation of Videodrome’s video and prosthetic makeup effects
  • Effects Men, an audio interview with special makeup effects creator Rick Baker and video effects supervisor Lennick
  • Bootleg Video: the complete footage of Samurai Dreams and seven minutes of transmissions from “Videodrome,” 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
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: Essays by writers Carrie Rickey, Tim Lucas, and Gary Indiana
    
    Cover by Eva Wah
    
    October 10, 2023

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate, HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

See on Amazon

 

[jayembee]

I have the Arrow UHD, which looks great, and has both the Director's Cut and the US Theatrical Cut. The slate of extras have some overlap between the two editions, but there are some unique to each. I think I'm good with sticking with the Arrow.

 

[titch]

Yes, it looks like Criterion is going to be playing catch-up with many of the UK 4K UHD titles released by Arrow Video and StudioCanal. Arrow are second to none now, with excellent 4K scans and restorations, as well as stellar mastering by David Mackenzie. There is no real need to double-dip, unless it's because one is an obsessive collector.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Preorder is up. See post ##2

 

[Jeffrey D]

Never saw this one. Might have to give it a try (I love Cronenberg’s The Fly).

 

[John Sparks]

I’ll have to stick with the Criterion BD just like titch states so well.

 

[battlebeast]

It’s a Canadian film?!