Videodrome (1983) coming from Arrow Video

[Akijama]

Release Date: 10th August 2015

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Original uncompressed mono audio tracks for all films
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all films
Limited Edition packaging, fully illustrated by Gilles Vranckx
Limited Edition Exclusive Extras



VIDEODROME – BLU-RAY DISC 1 AND DVD DISC 2:

Restored high-definition digital transfer of the unrated version, approved by director David Cronenberg and cinematographer Mark Irwin
Audio commentary by Tim Lucas, the on-set correspondent for Cinefantastique Magazine and author of Videodrome: Studies in the Horror Film
David Cronenberg and the Cinema of the Extreme – A documentary programme featuring interviews with Cronenberg, George A. Romero and Alex Cox on Cronenberg’s cinema, censorship and the horror genre
Forging the New Flesh – A documentary programme by filmmaker Michael Lennick on Videodrome’s video and prosthetic make up effects
Videoblivion: A brand new interview with cinematographer Mark Irwin
A brand new interview with producer Pierre David
AKA Jack Martin – Dennis Etchison, author of novelizations of Videodrome, Halloween, Halloween II and III and The Fog, discusses Videodrome and his observations of Cronenberg’s script
The complete uncensored Samurai Dreams footage with additional Videodrome broadcasts with optional commentary by Michael Lennick
Helmet Test and Betamax
Camera (2000) Cronenberg’s short film starring Videodrome’s Les Carlson
Fear on Film: A round table discussion from 1982 with Cronenberg, John Carpenter, John Landis and Mick Garris
Promotional featurette with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Cronenberg, James Woods, Deborah Harry and Rick Baker
Original theatrical trailers



DAVID CRONENBERG’S EARLY WORKS: BLU-RAY DISC 3 AND DVD DISC 4 [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of four Cronenberg films
Transfer (1966) & From the Drain (1967), Cronenberg’s previously unavailable short films newly restored by the Toronto International Film Festival [7 & 12 mins]
Stereo (1969) & Crimes of the Future (1970): Cronenberg’s early amateur feature films, shot in and around his university campus, prefigure his later work’s concerns with strange institutions (much like Videodrome’s Spectacular Optical) as well as male/female separation (Dead Ringers) and ESP (Scanners). Newly restored from original lab elements [65 & 70 mins]
Transfer the Future – Author and critic Kim Newman discusses Cronenberg’s early works



COLLECTOR’S BOOKLET [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]

An illustrated 100-page hardback book featuring new writing including Justin Humphreys on Videodrome in a modern context, Brad Stevens on the alternate versions, Caelum Vatnsdal on Cronenberg’s early works, extracts from Cronenberg on Cronenberg featuring Cronenberg’s reminiscences of getting started in filmmaking and shooting all the films in this collection, plus more, illustrated with original archive stills

http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/shop/ind...product_id=559

[MifuneFan]

Pic

[Foggy]

As lovely as this looks. I kinda just want the film, the lengthy wait for the standard edition is a tad off putting.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Foggy

As lovely as this looks. I kinda just want the film, the lengthy wait for the standard edition is a tad off putting.

It's annoying when you have to pay more for something you don't necessarily want, to get the film that you do! Otherwise you've got to wait ...

It will depend on how much this set is and whether I wait for the standard release (and I quite like my normal Arrow releases with reversible covers).

£27.99 isn't too bad. But I wouldn't want to pay for this straightaway with Arrow, I'll see if Amazon list it.

[Yami]

I'm surprised that they didn't release Stereo and Crimes of the Future on their own, and included his TV works here instead (they would have some relevance after all). But I'm not complaining This looks like an outstanding package.

[MechaGodzilla]

This will be mine, all mine.

[rapta]

Limited to 3000 apparently (as is the Wyatt Earp limited set).

[I KEEL YOU]

Looks nice. I thought that Forging the New Flesh extra was recorded exclusively for Criterion.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

Looks nice. I thought that Forging the New Flesh extra was recorded exclusively for Criterion.

This is an assumption, but I think Arrow is licensing CC's release and adding to it. I could be wrong but it would make sense considering they have worked together in similar way before. I think their recent Sweet Smell of Success release transfer was licensed from CC.

[crazyman]

Still gotta keep the Criterion DVD for the Cronenberg/Woods & Harry commentaries.

[Pizzamorg]

When is the normal version out?

[bobkind4]

Like Max, I've got my own Videodrome habit so couldn't resist pre-ordering - despite umpteen dips over the years with the Koch Media book being the most recent (I've even got an original cut-to-shreds Betamax Palace Pictures release) Pity the deleted scenes still don't make an appearance but the Tim Lucas commentary, Jack Martin feature and possibly some decent writing in the booklet about alternate versions make it attractive. Nice to have all the early works together on one blu-ray with the Kim Newman feature attached. Also like the new cover art returing to the typography used in the the original trailer.

[PowellPressburger]

Really excited for the Tim Lucas commentary. I will more than likely splurge on the Limited Set if it is still around when the release drops.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by bobkind4

Nice to have all the early works together on one blu-ray with the Kim Newman feature attached.

Plus restored and in 1080p, unlike the versions of Stereo and Crimes of the Future on the US BU disc. I do wish they had been able to score a couple of his TV shorts like Tourettes and/or Secret Weapons (though the latter is on Youtube), but still looks like a terrific set.

[Beauvoir]

Pre-ordered!

[Pecker]

Is it confirmed, will both the Videodrome and Early Works Blu-ray Discs both confirmed as stand alone releases?

If so, when?

I know we'll almost certainly see Videodrome on a single disc, but I'm wondering if this will be the only way to get Stereo and Crimes...

Steve W

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by Pecker

I know we'll almost certainly see Videodrome on a single disc, but I'm wondering if this will be the only way to get Stereo and Crimes...

The Early Works disc is advertised as 'LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE', so I would imagine that, like the eventual non-deluxe edition of TCM 2, the second bonus disc of early films will not be released on its own.

[chip75]

£34.99 on Amazon.co.uk. Does anyone think this will go down to £27.99, like Arrow's pre-order?

[Willms]

Is this worth a blind buy?

Of Cronenberg's other films, I have only seen Dead Zone, History of Violence and Dangerous Method. I really liked them all. I have been curious about this one for years, and I almost bought the Universal release before I heard about the rumored Arrow release not too long ago. I have no problem spending £15 on a blind buy, but not so sure about £35. On the other hand, I would hate to miss the special edition in case I really like the film.

[HotRats]

I've bought all the other blus of Videodrome but this looks like it'll be the best. Good to see a featurette on Dennis Etchison. Tim Lucas did a really good book on Videodrome but it's long out of print and even the paperback is pricey these days.

It would be nice if Arrow could get eXistenZ and maybe bundle it with a couple of Don McKellar films (he played Nourish) - Last Night, where Cronenberg does his best piece of acting as the quietly dignified power company employee keeping things running till the end of the world and McKellar's short film Blue where Cronenberg plays a carpet company owner who has slightly unconventional tastes. It's very little seen, (I have an ancient off air tape from Channel 4), the description on IMDB is very wrong and I can't even find it on Youtube.