The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
05-31-12, 01:42 PM
#1
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The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
Yes, I'm starting a thread for an old, direct-to-video zombie film that all but the most fervert horror fans have forgotten about.
I caught this over the holiday break on Netflix, where it's being shown in widescreen, and in HD, despite never having been given an official DVD release.
For many reasons - the awesomely cheesy '80s concept, the uniquely cool practical zombie FX work, the score, the DIY ethos - it resonated with me. I'm sure much of that is due to my unbridled love of all things horror from the '80s, but the picture was just so... fun, and genuine.
I saw that someone started a campaign to get it on DVD back in 2009 or 2010 (on a myspace page, no less), and MGM seemed receptive, but obviously nothing came of it. Funny, because they did take the time to cancel an unauthorized release of the film, and they clearly provided outlets with a crisp, widescreen HD master for airings, but so far... nothing.
Here's a trailer to jog some memories:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OXFhab0Ideg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Or, hey, why not watch the entire thing:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O75H3H5L19k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src=http://www.movieposterdb.com/posters/11_12/1987/155350/l_155350_c0307f0e.jpg alt=vd
<img src=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYIvOOw2Sqk/TqviRgjGU5I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/wFTxaN3-JpE/s1600/the%2Bvideo%2Bdead%2Bposter.jpg alt=vd
I caught this over the holiday break on Netflix, where it's being shown in widescreen, and in HD, despite never having been given an official DVD release.
For many reasons - the awesomely cheesy '80s concept, the uniquely cool practical zombie FX work, the score, the DIY ethos - it resonated with me. I'm sure much of that is due to my unbridled love of all things horror from the '80s, but the picture was just so... fun, and genuine.
I saw that someone started a campaign to get it on DVD back in 2009 or 2010 (on a myspace page, no less), and MGM seemed receptive, but obviously nothing came of it. Funny, because they did take the time to cancel an unauthorized release of the film, and they clearly provided outlets with a crisp, widescreen HD master for airings, but so far... nothing.
Here's a trailer to jog some memories:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OXFhab0Ideg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Or, hey, why not watch the entire thing:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O75H3H5L19k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<img src=http://www.movieposterdb.com/posters/11_12/1987/155350/l_155350_c0307f0e.jpg alt=vd
<img src=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYIvOOw2Sqk/TqviRgjGU5I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/wFTxaN3-JpE/s1600/the%2Bvideo%2Bdead%2Bposter.jpg alt=vd
05-31-12, 02:04 PM
#2
Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
So of those old Direct to Video movies had the best box cover art! I remember renting VHS movies based on the box all the time. I may have seen this one and I will check it out on Netflix.
05-31-12, 02:07 PM
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
Thanks Killer I don't know how I never knew about this film. 80's horror cheese is one of my favs. I will try and catch this tonight!
05-31-12, 02:09 PM
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Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
My brother and I just watched this this past weekend along with Bloody Birthday on Netflix. We were wondering if this was on DVD.
05-31-12, 02:52 PM
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Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
Let me know what you think. I told you, now that I'm on the Netflix streaming kick I'm discovering, and re-discovering, a ton of titles I'd been meaning to watch.
05-31-12, 03:30 PM
#6
Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
I contemplated like hell to give this one a look during the last Horrorthon. It's now finally added to the queue.
05-31-12, 03:47 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
I wanted to like this so much when I finally saw it a year or 2 ago but I just couldn't. Love the artwork though.
05-31-12, 05:34 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
This DVD is NOT an official release. It is a full screen, video to DVD transfer and a terrible one at that. The tape the company used looks like a worn rental tape complete with tracking errors and audio crackling here and there.
Do NOT purchase this DVD, you will be overpaying for what basically is a bootleg.
By the way, the 1 star rating is NOT for the film itself - it is just for this release. Don't get duped into paying $30 for what bootleggers have been selling - with better quality tapes/cover art - for years. It's a rip off and it's downright criminal.
Do NOT purchase this DVD, you will be overpaying for what basically is a bootleg.
By the way, the 1 star rating is NOT for the film itself - it is just for this release. Don't get duped into paying $30 for what bootleggers have been selling - with better quality tapes/cover art - for years. It's a rip off and it's downright criminal.
05-31-12, 08:07 PM
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Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
I'm so old I remember thinking when this came out that they had gone too far in modernizing zombies ...
09-28-12, 12:06 PM
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Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
Just a heads up: Shout (Scream) Factory has announced this will be getting a proper release in 2013 on (presumably) BD.
Yes, that news made my week.
Yes, that news made my week.
09-28-12, 12:52 PM
#16
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Re: The Video Dead (1987 - dir. Robert Scott)
This movie is a trip. HDNetMovies (I think) aired it a couple Halloween's ago. The movie was just as bad as I remembered it. 
