Video Nasties News

Night Train Murders (aka Late Night Trains) is a 1975 Italian horror film by Aldo Lado. With Flavio Bucci, Macha Méril and Gianfranco De Grassi. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Blue Underground R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 31st January 2012
• US 2004 Blue Underground R1 DVD at US Amazon

Blu-ray Features

Night Train Murders is presented in a brand-new High Definition transfer from the original uncensored negative!

Extras:

• Riding the Night Train - Interview with Co-Writer/Director Aldo Lado
• U.S. Trailer
• International Trailer
• Radio Spots

Uncut in the UK

The BBFC passed the film 18 uncut for strong scenes of sexual violence for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2008 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented about their uncut decsion:

• The development of media awareness and public knowledge of film styles were felt to have reduced the impact and potential for harm of the scenes of sexual assault in the film, which seem particularly dated now.

Video Nasty

Cinehollywood released an uncut video in November 1981 under the title Night Train Murders. This version was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. This was dropped from the list in March 1984

Previously Video Warehouse International released a cut video as Late Night Trains in 1981. This release was missing about 1 minute of violence and nearly 2 minutes of non contentious material

Banned by the BBFC

Banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 1976 cinema release titled Late Night Trains

Summary Review: Decent Acting

This film borrowed heavily from Last House on the Left, but Night Train Murders is the better of the two. Good production values, excellent cinematography, an Ennio Morricone score, decent acting and a tight script.

The first third of the film introduces the main characters, most of whom seem to be prone to indulging in one perversion or another.

The "defilement" section of the film is a gripping, harrowing affair that escalates in viciousness before climaxing in a very brutal fashion.

The final act does not live up to the scenes that precede it. The director's desire to keep from glamorizing violence is probably why the ending feels somewhat restrained.

Funhouse is a 1981 US horror by Tobe Hooper. With Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson and Jeanne Austin. See IMDb

Passed 15 uncut for moderate horror, sex, violence and threat for:

• UK 2001 ArrowDrome R2 DVD  at UK Amazon released today on 30th January 2012
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2007 Freemantlemedia/Arrow R2 DVD

Video Nasty

Previously it was surprisingly labelled as a video nasty. It was added to the DPP list of video nasties in September 1984 but was dropped in June 1985. It is not a particularly violent film and it has been suggested that the video appears on the list due to a confusion with another film Last House on Dead End Street that is also known as The Fun House.

DVD Extras

From promotional material:

Something is Alive in the Funhouse

The carnival is a place for fun and laughter, but not for Amy and her friends. When their childish dare to stay all night in the spooky funhouse backfires, it leaves a trail of dismembered teenagers a mile long in Tobe Hooper's classic video nasty era slasher.

Will anyone escape the clutches of the stumbling madman that stalks to sideshow? Is there no end to the carnival barkers chilling sadism? The only way to find out is ascend into the funhouse, where the games have no rules and the only prize on offer is a grisly demise.

Join us in The Funhouse. So much fun that you'll never leave...Alive!

Arrowdrome is a fleapit selected library of cult films; violent, horrific, sleazy, exploitative.

DVD Extras:

• a reversible sleeve of original artwork

• a collector's booklet by author Kim Newman!

• an interview with director Tobe Hooper

• trailer

Last House on the Left is a 1972 US horror by Wes Craven. With Sandra Peabody, Lucy Grantham and David Hess. See IMDb.

Here's a video nasty release that was previously missed:

US: uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 MGM Collector's Edition R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released in September 2011

Story of the Last House on the Left in the UK

First banned by the BBFC for a cinema release in 1974.

The VHS video was released by Replay Video in June 1982. It was an early casualty of the video nasty panic and got banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout and so became one of the collectible DPP39s

A cinema release was banned again in 2000. However it achieved an cinema club circuit release in 2000.

A subsequent DVD release was rejected in 2001

The DVD was again submitted in 2002 but this time the BBFC offered cuts. An appeal against the cuts proved unsuccessful and in fact resulted in additional cuts to those originally requested by the BBFC. The resulting Blue Underground video/DVD release of 2002 suffered 31s of censor cuts.

Further 2003 video/DVD releases (including one titled Krug & Company) from Anchor Bay have been edited differently but maintained the previous BBFC 2002 cuts

The DVD was finally passed 18 uncut by the BBFC in 2008

The Krug edit was also passed 18 uncut in 2009.

Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2008 Second Sight R2 DVD at UK Amazon

UK: The Krug Edit was passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2009  Metrodome/In2film R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Summary Review: Brutal Realist Tragedy

While I think that people tend to get a bit hyperbolic when they talk about The Last House on the Left, I do think it's a fairly good film, especially given what the filmmakers were trying to do and considering their lack of experience, the era and the budget. Also, despite a filmic precursor, it just may be the earliest example of the horror subgenre of brutal, realist tragedy. However, it has flaws that would be difficult to overlook in a distanced assessment of the film.

But again, focusing on that amounts to hype now, and shouldn't be taken too seriously, lest it lead to inflated expectations. Just as surprising on a first viewing is that The Last House on the Left has an intermittent goofy sense of humor and a groovy attitude that is firmly mired in the early 1970s. The two policemen are really comic relief characters (and very funny at that), but there is also a lot of humor surrounding the criminal quartet--this almost becomes a black comedy at times. These sensibilities even extend to the music, which has a frequent hillbilly edge and lyrics that supply ex-positional material. Surprisingly, Hess, who plays Krug, wrote the music.

Night of the Demon is a 1980 US horror by James C Wasson.
With Michael Cutt, Joy Allen and Bob Collins. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Code Red Maria's B-Movie Mayhem R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released in October 2011.
• US Miracle R1 DVD

Note that the US Amazon import is very much cheaper that the sellers on UK Amazon.

Video Nasty

Released by Vipco in June 1982. Banned as a video nasty in October 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP39's

It was last seen in the UK when it was re-released after 1:41s of BBFC cuts on video in 1994 by Vipco

Summary Review: Cheap

Another film that is something like an urban legend: being banned in countries like Germany or Norway and also very hard to find. The reputation of Night of the Demon is much more interesting than the movie itself!

The story is simple: a professor and some students travel to the dark forests to investigate some cruel murders which were caused by a Bigfoot-like monster that looks like Chewbacca from Star Wars. A feeble minded woman who lives in a lonely hut plays an important role in the solution of the mystery.

Well, the acting is bad, the F/X are pretty cheesy and only the many murders featured in this flick will keep you away from falling asleep! These deaths however are pretty are gory and violent, so fans of splatter movies won't be disappointed!

Terror Eyes (aka Night School) is a 1981 US slasher by Ken Hughes.
With Leonard Mann, Rachel Ward and Drew Snyder. See IMDb

A new US release is Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Warner R1 DVD-R via UK Amazon and at US Amazon recently released on 1st November 2011

Back in the UK

The film hasn't been seem in the UK for a long time now. It was last released with an 18 rating after 1:16s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Vipco VHS

• UK 1987 Guild VHS

The BBFC cuts were:

• stabbings and girls being threatened with knives during the changing room and cafe murders

Summary Review: Action over Suspense

A Boston police detective investigates a series of gruesome decapitations of various college coeds committed by a helmeted, black-leather clad serial killer which leads him to suspect a well known anthropology professor as well as his female live-in assistant.

A slasher flick with more action than horror. But the acting is above par as are the overall production values, and there isn't a lot of padding. There's also something of a story complete with characterization.

One could certainly do (much) worse in picking a slasher film from this era.

Bad Dreams is a 1988 US horror by Andrew Fleming with Jennifer Rubin and Bruce Abbott. See IMDb

The US release is uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Shout! Factory Killer Double Feature R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• US 2006 Starz/Anchor Bay R1 DVD

The UK is still suffering a cut version. The BBFC cut the 18 rated 1989 video from Film and Video by 22s.

Cuts details from IMDb:

• to remove closeup shots of self-mutilation with a knife and a scalpel
• to reduce a scene where a man is repeatedly hit by a car.

Summary Review: Underrated Entertainment

Bad Dreams is very much a product of the t 80s and horror filmmaking style at that time. The film tell the story of the sole survivor of mass suicide at an interesting hippielike commune/cult led by a David Koresh type leader.

Yet Bad Dreams is a cut above most other for many reasons. The film is filled with surrealistic arresting images-in particular, the house where the mass suicide took place is an intriguing looking building, tragically beautiful. The acting is better than in most horror films. Jennifer Rubin is especially good.

In short, Bad Dreams is a must see.

Visiting Hours is a 1982 Canadian horror film by Jean-Claude Lord with Michael Ironside and Lee Grant. See IMDb

The US release is uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Shout! Factory Killer Double Feature R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• US 2006 Starz/Anchor Bay R1 DVD

Again the UK is still suffering a cut version. The cinema version and the 1986 CBS/Fox VHS were cut by about 1 minute.

BBFC cuts details from IMDb:

• Cut to edit a scene where Colt traces his knife across Lisa before slashing her clothing
• Also cuts to shots of Colt kicking Sheila as he photographs her.

Summary Review: Not your everyday slasher

A crazed, women-hating killer (Ironside) attacks journalist Deborah Ballin (Grant). When he discovers that his attack didn't kill Deborah, he comes to the hospital to finish what he started.

The movie is really quite tense at times. The attack at Deborah's home is frightening, especially the dumb waiter scene. And the climactic chase is amazingly pulled off. The acting is alright and the music is also to note, and adds a lot of atmosphere.

This is much different from what you'd probably expect, and is worth a look. Definitely not your everyday slasher.

UK BrutalAsHell.com contributor Aled Ll Jones has interviewed Jake West, director of Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide

BrutalAsHell.com: What was the genesis of the Video Nasties documentary?

Jake West: Marc [Morris] and I had already been doing the Grindhouse trailer compilations and we were just trying to think of ideas for projects in the future and this came up. Marc has already written some books on the subject and we were talking about that. We thought: Wouldn't it be interesting to investigate why these films were banned in the first place? and that spiraled out of control into this project that has taken over a year to do. As we went ahead we actually found stuff out that we didn't even know prior to beginning and then we got even more drawn in. The films coming up on the Horror Channel have an introduction explaining exactly why they were banned so it was a fascinating journey in the end. We also felt that people should know exactly what happened, as well.

...Read the full interview

City of the Living Dead is a 1980 Italian zombie film by Lucio Fulci. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut after previous BBFC cuts were waived for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome Gates of Hell Trilogy R0 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 7th November 2011
• UK 2010 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2010 Arrow R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2003 Protected/Vipco R0 DVD

Previously passed  18 after 2:21s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1992 Vipco
• UK 1987 Elephant VHS
• UK 1986 Network Distribution VHS

The BBFC inflicted 4 additional cuts adding up to 1:29s :

• All 53s of a girl vomiting up her intestines has been deleted
• 8s is deleted from Michele Soavi's head being ripped off and his brains spilling out
• Sandra falls victim to a zombie who has a penchant for brains, but 10s of this is not shown
• Without her brains, Sandra (Janet Agren) attacks Peter (Christopher George) and takes his. 9s of cuts prevent us seeing the meal

The 1981 1:01s cinema cut still applied

• The cut was applied to the infamous scene where John Morgan gets his head drilled.

The Beyond is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome Gates of Hell Trilogy R0 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 7th November 2011
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2010 Cornerstone R2 DVD
• UK 2002 Protected/Vipco R2 DVD

Previously the cut cinema version was passed 18 without further cuts for:

• UK 1992 Vipco VHS
• UK 1987 Elephant VHS

And before that Vampix released the cut cinema version on pre-cert video in March 1982. This was banned as a video nasty in November 1983 but was later dropped from the list in April 1985

And before that it was passed X after 9 BBFC cuts totalling 1:39s for:

• UK 1981 cinema release

The cuts were.:

• 18s have been cut from the prologue, ie the man being killed for witchcraft is missing several chain whippings, I have also heard that it is missing shots of his hands being nailed and his face melting after having acid thrown at it
• The eye gouging of a drainage mechanic has lost 6s of the gouging
• 4 cuts totalling 43s have been imposed on the attack of (very unconvincing) spiders on a librarian. These include shots of the spiders biting his lip, nose and tongue and also of them pulling his eye out.
• 5s has been cut from a cleaning lady being impaled on a nail through the eye.
• 26s are missing from the blind girl's throat being ripped out by a dog. this includes shots of blood gushing from the wounds and shots of her ear being bitten off.
• 1s is missing from a child's head exploding after a gunshot.

The House by the Cemetery is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci. See IMDb.

Passed 18 uncut after the BBFC waived their cuts for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome Gates of Hell Trilogy R0 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 7th November 2011
• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome R0 DVD at UK Amazon recently released on 26th September2011
• UK 2009 Arrow R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Previously passed 18 with some BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2001 Protected/Vipco DVD

The additional video cuts of 1988 were waived along with some cinema cuts to the poker murder. The majority of the cinema cuts were retained though.

And before that a pre-cut version missing 7:27s was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Vipco VHS

It is assumed that the extra cuts were to try and smooth over the edges of the BBFC cuts.

And back in 1988 it was passed 18 after a further 4:11s of BBFC cuts beyond the 34s of cinema cuts for:

• UK 1988 Elephant VHS

The BBFC's further 4:11s of cuts were:

• Removal of all details of a girl being stabbed through the back of her head through to her mouth and of her body being dragged away.
• The entire poker killing mentioned above has been deleted along with the body being dragged away.
• The killing of a vampire bat and related blood spattering is missing.
• Shots of decomposing bodies in the cellar and the disembowelled man on the table have gone
• Norman having his throat cut by Fraudstein has also been removed

The cut cinema version was released on pre-cert video in January 1983 but was banned as a video nasty in November 1983. It remained on the list through out the panic so became one of the collectable DPP 39's

The cinema version was assed X (18) after 34s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1982 cinema release

The BBFC required 6 cuts totalling 34s:

• 3 cuts totalling 16s removed an estate agent being subjected to two stabs with a poker. This included the slow motion gushing of blood from her wounds.
• 3 cuts totalling 18s were imposed on the scene of a nanny having her throat cut.

House on the Edge of the Park is a 1980 Italian horror thriller by Ruggero Deodato with David Hess and Annie Belle. See IMDb

Best release so far in the UK

The most complete UK version so far was passed 18 after 43s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Argent/Shameless DVD at UK Amazon released today on 31st October 2011

The BBFC commented:

• Company was required to make cuts to one sequence of sexualised violence in which a razor is traced over a woman's naked body, after which her body is cut with the razor.

According to Shameless, the BBFC originally asked for 16 cuts totalling 1:20s. The BBFC was asked to think again, and it reduced the cuts by 37s, leaving 43s still cut. The waived cut was 37s to the sex scene between Alex and Lisa which had previously been cut due to the questionability of whether or not Lisa is enjoying her ordeal.

DVD Features:

• Introduction to the film by star David Hess
• Interview with star David Hess & director Ruggero Deodato
• Theatrical Trailer
• Shameless Trailer Park

Previous massive cuts

Previously passed 18 after 11:43s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2009 Cornerstone R2 DVD

• UK 2002 Protected R2 DVD

The BBFC commented:

• Cuts required to several sequences of sexual violence, humiliating depictions of female nudity and gross violence

From IMDb:

• BBFC removed most of the rape and assault scenes
• heavily edited the razor-slashing of Cindy
• heavily edited the opening murder scene
• removed shots of Tony's head being slammed against a table.

Video Nasty

It was released on VHS video uncut by Skyline in October 1982

It was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s

Banned from cinema

Banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 1981 cinema release

Summary Review: Interesting yet Chilling

A couple of rapists Alex and Ricky who are invited to a rich person's party. They decide to make their own cruel and twisted kind of fun such as murder and rape.

A harsh and unsettling Italian horror thriller from director Ruggero Deodato who definitely knows how to shock his audience.

The acting isn't all that great but the music is good with a funky disco song, some gory violence with torture, nudity, and sleaze abound.

The House by the Cemetery is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci. See IMDb.

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Blue Underground R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 24th October 2011
• US 2007 Blue Underground R0 DVD at US Amazon

History of BBFC Cuts

Passed 18 uncut after the BBFC waived their cuts for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome Gates of Hell Trilogy R0 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 7th November 2011
• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome R0 DVD at UK Amazon now released
• UK 2009 Arrow R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Previously passed 18 with some BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2001 Protected/Vipco DVD

The additional video cuts of 1988 were waived along with some cinema cuts to the poker murder. The majority of the cinema cuts were retained though.

And before that a pre-cut version missing 7:27s was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Vipco VHS

It is assumed that the extra cuts were to try and smooth over the edges of the BBFC cuts.

And back in 1988 it was passed 18 after a further 4:11s of BBFC cuts beyond the 34s of cinema cuts for:

• UK 1988 Elephant VHS

The BBFC's further 4:11s of cuts were:

• Removal of all details of a girl being stabbed through the back of her head through to her mouth and of her body being dragged away.
• The entire poker killing mentioned above has been deleted along with the body being dragged away.
• The killing of a vampire bat and related blood spattering is missing.
• Shots of decomposing bodies in the cellar and the disembowelled man on the table have gone
• Norman having his throat cut by Fraudstein has also been removed

Video Nasty

The cut cinema version was released on pre-cert video in January 1983 but was banned as a video nasty in November 1983. It remained on the list through out the panic so became one of the collectable DPP 39's

Cut Cinema Release

The cinema version was assed X (18) after 34s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1982 cinema release

The BBFC required 6 cuts totalling 34s:

• 3 cuts totalling 16s removed an estate agent being subjected to two stabs with a poker. This included the slow motion gushing of blood from her wounds.
• 3 cuts totalling 18s were imposed on the scene of a nanny having her throat cut.

Zombie Flesh Eaters (aka Zombie) is a 1979 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci with Tisa Farrow and Ian McCulloch. See IMDb.

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Blue Underground Ultimate Edition R0 Blu-Ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 24th October 2011
• US 2004 Shriek Show R1 DVD at US Amazon

In the UK it was passed 18 uncut after all cuts waived for:

• UK 2010 Cornerstone Flesh Eaters Collection Boxset R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2005 Anchor Bay Box of the Banned R2 DVD.

Previously Cut

Previously it was passed 18 after 23s of BBFC cuts but with some cuts waived for:

• UK 1999 Diskline VHS

It was felt that the video could have been released uncut in 1999 but nominal cuts were made to ensure that the version was different to that successfully prosecuted as obscene a few years earlier. A rather mythical rule was quoted that obscene videos couldn't be passed uncut for 10 years after the prosecution.

The retained cuts were:

• 4s of deletions from Paola Mernard (Olga Karlatos) having her eye pierced by a splinter of wood
• 14s cut from the body of Paola being eaten by zombies

Video Nasty

The cut X rated cinema version was released on video by Vipco in 1980. Vipco then issued the "strong uncut version" in 1981 at a premium price which then got out on the Video Nasties list in October 1983. It stayed on the list throughout so became one of the collectable DPP 39s

Torso is a 1975 Italian thriller by Sergio Martino. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut after previous cuts waived for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today, 24th October 2011
• UK 2007 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD at UK Amazon

Summary Review: Worth the wait

This is one of those Italian horror classics that's actually worth the wait. Not as well put together as Argento or Fulci, but packed with really great jazz tinged music and some totally unforgetable scenes, mainly the beautifully shot murder in the woods and the final showdown in the house with Suzy Kendall and the masked killer.

Almost a classic, but never a video nasty

Night Train Murders 1975 Italian horror film by Aldo Lado. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today, 24th October 2011
• UK 2008 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC explained:

• The development of media awareness and public knowledge of film styles were felt to have reduced the impact and potential for harm of the scenes of sexual assault in the film, which seem particularly dated now.

Previously Cinehollywood released an uncut video in November 1981 under the title Night Train Murders. This version was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. This was dropped from the list in March 1984

Summary Review: Decent Acting

This film borrowed heavily from Last House on the Left, but Night Train Murders is the better of the two. Good production values, excellent cinematography, an Ennio Morricone score, decent acting and a tight script.

The first third of the film introduces the main characters, most of whom seem to be prone to indulging in one perversion or another.

The "defilement" section of the film is a gripping, harrowing affair that escalates in viciousness before climaxing in a very brutal fashion.

The final act does not live up to the scenes that precede it. The director's desire to keep from glamorizing violence is probably why the ending feels somewhat

Killer Nun is a978 Italian horror by Giulio Berruti. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today, 24th October 2011
• UK 2006 Argent/Shameless R2 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented in their 2006 Annual Report:

• Killer Nun had required cuts to remove some scenes of sadistic torture on video in 1993, but these now appeared dated and lacked the power to shock or harm and so it was passed without cuts.

Before that it was passed 18 after 13s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Redemption VHS

The BBFC required the following cuts:

• A scene was cut showing the torture of an old woman, including a close up of a needle piercing an eye and a scalpel cutting into her bandaged flesh

And before that it was released on  pre-cert video by Techno Film. It was listed as a video nasty in August 1984 but was dropped by July 1985

Summary Review: Well worth checking out

Anyone familiar with nunsploitation will recognise this as a stand out film.

There are some very atmospheric set pieces in the film Anita Ekberg's flashbacks and the giallo inspired murder of the old woman.

The dubbing detracts from the power of the film by having cheesy actors do the overdubs. Some of the editing is a bit sloppy but Italian exploitation fans are well used to this. The gorgeous Paola Morra is worth the price of the film alone. Well worth checking out.

Blood Feast is a 1963 US horror by Herschell Gordon Lewis. See IMDb

Passed 18 with previous cuts waived for:

• UK 2005 Odeon R0 DVD via UK Amazon

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Image RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 27th September 2011
• US 2000 Image R0 DVD at US Amazon

Astra released the video in May 1982. It was an early casualty of the video nasty scare and was banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic and so is one of the collectable DPP39s

Summary Review: Pretty Damn Cool

An utterly barebones production, flatly pathetic acting, stilted and pointless dialogue, and lots and lots of ultra-phony gore.

Of course, this is pretty undisputedly the first real gore film, so horror fans pretty much have to see this. And, even if it weren't so important historically it would be worth seeing anyway, cause it's pretty damn cool either way.

You get flaying, leg severing, heart extracting, tongue ripping, brain snatching etc. And, while the gore effects are incredibly dated, they aren't quite as cheap and old as I would have imagined. The blood itself actually holds up fairly well, and looks better than much of the stage blood you'd see over the next 20 years or so. It's actually red!

Two thousand Maniacs is a 1964 US film by Herschell Gordon Lewis. See IMDb

Passed 18 with all BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2005 Odeon R2 DVD

• UK 2002 Tartan R2 DVD via UK Amazon

• UK 2002 Tartan VHS

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Image Blood Trilogy RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 27th September 2011
• US 2000 Image R0 DVD at US Amazon

Previously passed 18 after 4:27s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1986 VPD VHS

Summary Review: Amazing

Not the goriest of the director's films but an attempt to introduce the weird concept of a plot. Playboy Model Connie Mason doesn't earn many brownie points for acting and she scuppers the idea of having a story.

However the film is simultaneously repellent and amusing, even endearing. The premise is so zaney, the villians so filled with sadistic glee, the mutilations so glorified, it starts to work on levels that I'm not sure H.G. intended.

The US music maker and actor, David Hess, has died aged 69.

Interleaved in a long career in the music industry were a few film acting performances that have secured him a place in the Melon farming Hall of Memory.

His first major appearance was as the ultra thug Krug in Wes Craven's landmark 1972 film, The Last House of the Left. Hess also composed the score.

Hess also played another notable thug in Ruggero Deodato's 1980 film, The House on the Edge of the Park.

He also appeared in later films by the same directors. He played a villain in Wes Craven's 1982 Swamp Thing, and appeared in the 1987 slasher, Body Count, for Ruggero Deodato.

Mardi Gras Massacre is a 1978 US horror by Jack Weis. See IMDb

The US release is uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Code Red R1 DVD via UK Amazon and via US Amazon

In the UK it was released on VHS in 1982 on the Goldstar label and later on the Market label. Banned as a video nasty in November 1983 and stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s. It hasn't been released since the video nasty ban.

See review from IMDb: Cheese and sleaze!

Not exactly a straight slasher as many believe but it's surely as cheesy, and unintentionally funny as any slasher from the 80's.

Mardi Gras Massacre could be considered as a toned down exploitation low budget. The plot asks for brutality, violence, sleaze but the truth is that the execution of the idea isn't as half as good as it should.

The ritual method is repeated in all the death scenes. So we don't get originality or probably there wasn't enough budget to at least create three different gore scenes. It's okay but even ultra low budget slashers have at least two different killing methods! Anyways, Mardi Gras Massacre has generated some kind of cult over the years but sincerely, this isn't a must see. The movie should only be watched by b-movie lovers or morbid fans of low budget cheese and sleaze!

Nightmares aka Nightmares in a Damaged Brain is a 1981 US horror by Romano Scavolini (Oppidan). See IMDb

Brain damaged inmate is unwisely released from the asylum.  After recalling how he killed his father and a floozy with an axe he goes on a tour of the local sex shows. This whips him up into a frenzy ready to get down to stalking his ex, son and ex's new flame.

The US release is uncut and MPAA unrated for:

• UK 2011 Code Red 30th Anniversary Edition R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon titled Nightmare recently released on 26th July 2011

In Britain the cut R Rated version was passed without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2007 International Trading/Screen Entertainment R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2005 Anchor Bay Box of the Banned R2 DVD
• UK 2002 International Trading/Screen Entertainment VHS

But before that the video was banned as a nasty in July 1983. Perhaps something to do with  promotional material such as the distribution of vomit bags and guess the weight of a human brain in a jar. One of the victims of the panic was David Hamilton-Grant, the owner of Oppidan, who was jailed under section 2 of the OPA. The video remained on the list throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP3s

Summary Review: Great Slasher Movie

An underrated and under recognized slasher film of the early 1980s.

The plot is very interesting and is not at all a typical "slasher by numbers" flick, and is not predictable. There gore is pretty insane and gruesome, and Tom Savini was the make-up effects consultant. There is a tense, uneasy feeling throughout the film, and some very memorable scenes showing how disturbed the killer is, like the part at the peep show in NYC where he gets so aroused he has a seizure. Pretty crazy stuff.

Highly recommended!

Bay of Blood is a 1971 Italian horror by Mario Bava (Hokushin). See IMDb

A perverse reworking of La Ronde involving 11 graphic murders.

The BBFC refused this a cinema certificate in 1972.

The uncut version was released on Hokushin VHS  in February 1983 titled Bloodbath. It was listed as a video nasty in March 1984. It stayed on the list throughout so became one of the collectable DPP39s

Re-released after 43s of BBFC cuts as Bay of Blood (Redemption, 1994)

The BBFC waived their cuts for the 18 rated 2010 Arrow DVD/Blu-ray

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut.

Passed 18 with BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome R2 DVD at UK Amazon now released
• UK 2010 Arrow Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2010 Arrow R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Summary Review: Granddaddy of all slasher movies

Bay of Blood is often called the "Granddaddy of all slasher movies". After watching Bay of Blood you can definitely see where Friday the 13th (made in 1980) got a lot of it's ideas. Saying that, Bay of Blood does not possess the single element that defined the slasher film, the indestructible, omnipresent killer.

The movie succeeds almost entirely thanks to Mario Bavo, who serves as both director and cinematographer, with his typical stylish flare which heavily influenced the great Dario Argento, his eye appealing use of color and interesting editing techniques, which include a lot of blurry dissolves give Bay of Blood an almost dream-like, surrealistic feel.

The House by the Cemetery is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci. See IMDb.

Passed 18 uncut after the BBFC waived their cuts for:

• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome Gates of Hell Trilogy R0 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 7th November 2011
• UK 2011 Arrow/ArrowDrome R0 DVD at UK Amazon now released
• UK 2009 Arrow R2 DVD at UK Amazon

Previously passed 18 with some BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2001 Protected/Vipco DVD

The additional video cuts of 1988 were waived along with some cinema cuts to the poker murder. The majority of the cinema cuts were retained though.

And before that a pre-cut version missing 7:27s was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Vipco VHS

It is assumed that the extra cuts were to try and smooth over the edges of the BBFC cuts.

And back in 1988 it was passed 18 after a further 4:11s of BBFC cuts beyond the 34s of cinema cuts for:

• UK 1988 Elephant VHS

The BBFC's further 4:11s of cuts were:

• Removal of all details of a girl being stabbed through the back of her head through to her mouth and of her body being dragged away.
• The entire poker killing mentioned above has been deleted along with the body being dragged away.
• The killing of a vampire bat and related blood spattering is missing.
• Shots of decomposing bodies in the cellar and the disembowelled man on the table have gone
• Norman having his throat cut by Fraudstein has also been removed

The cut cinema version was released on pre-cert video in January 1983 but was banned as a video nasty in November 1983. It remained on the list through out the panic so became one of the collectable DPP 39's

The cinema version was assed X (18) after 34s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1982 cinema release

The BBFC required 6 cuts totalling 34s:

• 3 cuts totalling 16s removed an estate agent being subjected to two stabs with a poker. This included the slow motion gushing of blood from her wounds.
• 3 cuts totalling 18s were imposed on the scene of a nanny having her throat cut.

House on the Edge of the Park is a 1980 Italian horror thriller by Ruggero Deodato. See IMDb

A couple of weeks ago Shameless reported that it had recently heard back from the BBFC with regard to House on the Edge of the Park.

The BBFC requested 16 cuts totalling 1 minute 20 seconds. While this is a vast improvement over the 11+ minutes of cuts requested in 2002, Shameless are appealing [presumably meaning asking the BBFC to think again rather than invoking the formal appeals process] the BBFC's decision and will also be including two further extras dedicated to the censorship of the film.

The latest update from Shameless is that the BBFC have agreed to waive 37 seconds of these cuts to the sex scene between Alex and Lisa which had previously been cut due to the questionability of whether or not Lisa is enjoying her ordeal.

House on the Edge of the Park will be available on DVD from 31 October. More details on special features (including those dedicated to the film's censorship history) will be announced soon.

Indeed House on the Edge of the Park has had a difficult history of censorship in the UK:

Passed 18 after 11:43s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2009 Cornerstone R2 DVD

• UK 2002 Protected R2 DVD

The BBFC noted: Cuts required to several sequences of sexual violence, humiliating depictions of female nudity and gross violence

From IMDb:

• BBFC removed most of the rape and assault scenes
• heavily edited the razor-slashing of Cindy
• heavily edited the opening murder scene
• removed shots of Tony's head being slammed against a table.

Before that it was released on VHS video uncut by Skyline in October 1982. It was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s

And before that, a cinema release was rejected by the BBFC in 1981

Update: Confirmed

27th September 2011. See article from bbfc.co.uk

The BBFC have now confirmed on their database that House on the Edge of the Park has been passed 18 after 43s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Argent/Shameless DVD for release on 31st October 2011

The BBFC consumer advice is:

• Contains strong sexual violence and threat

The BBFC commented about their cuts:

• Company was required to make cuts to one sequence of sexualised violence in which a razor is traced over a woman's naked body, after which her body is cut with the razor.

Cannibal Holocaust is a 1979 Italian adventure by Ruggero Deodato. See IMDb

The pre-cut Ruggero Deodato's New Edit was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Blu-ray, at UK Amazon now released
• UK 2011 Shameless R2 DVD, at UK Amazon now released

The BBFC commented:

• pre-cut in line with 2011 BBFC cut version. [Cut to remove the cruel killing of a coatimundi]

Which is an awful lot better than the 5:44s that the BBFC cut on the previous 2001 Vipco DVD where the BBFC cuts were:

• The killing of a coatimundi has been deleted
• Our intrepid adventurers witness the riverside murder and mutilation of a woman presumably by her husband. We don't get to witness:
  • the girl being dragged through the mud and having her legs forced apart
  • the girl struggling and being raped with a wooden dildo
  • the man raising a mudball with spikes and the subsequent shot of genital mutilation
• Another woman getting raped on the river bank has been removed
• The disembowelling of a giant turtle has been predictably deleted
• A monkey gets his head sliced open and its blood is drained into a bowl...but not in the censored version
• The kicking of a tethered pig has been removed and its subsequent shooting and death
• The rape one of a native girl by 3 men has been reduced
• The cannibals eventually overpower the adventurers. The woman in the party gets stripped and raped but not in the UK version.
• The woman's death scene is missing nudity shots.

And of course before that, it was banned as one of the most notable video nasties back in July 1983

Review from imdb: Very well written plot

Cannibal Holocaust was, first and foremost, a disgusting movie with more violence than I have ever seen. Despite this, it is also one of my favorite movies. It gives a feeling of Blair Witch done right, even though there are some very obviously contrived scenes in which nobody is holding the camera, but despite some small cosmetic problems this is the best horror movie I have ever seen.

Cannibal Holocaust is a 1979 Italian adventure by Ruggero Deodato. See IMDb

The pre-cut Ruggero Deodato's New Edit [Cut to remove the cruel killing of a coatimundi] was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Blu-ray, at UK Amazon for release on 26th September 2011
• UK 2011 Shameless R2 DVD, at UK Amazon for release on 26th September 2011

The Guardian has written an article on this iconic video nasty:

First you take the liver out, then you open the rib cage and take the innards out. Then you fill it with hot stones and aromatic herbs ... Ruggero Deodato is explaining how to eat a human being. Not that he's done it, or has he met anyone who has -- but when it comes to cannibalism, the 72-year-old director is still something of an authority. In 1980, Deodato released what is still regarded in many quarters as the most controversial film ever made: Cannibal Holocaust, now being rereleased for home consumption, if that's the right word.

...Read the full article

Absurd is a 1981 Italian horror video by Joe D'Amato. See IMDb

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2009 Mya R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

In the UK there has been no home video release since the film was banned as a video nasty in 1983.

The pre-cert VHS was released uncut in 1982 by  Medusa. But then the film was passed 18 after 2:32s of BBFC cuts for the UK 1983 cinema release.

From IMDB:

• Edits to the murder of the nurse with a drill
• Edits to a man's forehead being sliced with a band saw
• Edits to a woman's face being burnt off in an oven.

When the cinema version was cut, the video distributors, Medusa, withdrew the uncut video and released it with the BBFC cut version. But the video was still added to the list of banned video nasties in November 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP39s.

Review from IMDb: Halloween-esque

Monster Hunter is the Halloween-esque 'sequel' to 1981's insomniac's dream Anthropophagous. This time around D'Amato brings to us a sense of pace, making Monster Hunter much more enjoyable.

The added gore (including an ultra-torturous scene involving an oven) and cool electronic music score is a nice bonus.

The story (or lack thereof) brings back George Eastman as our favorite cannibal, this time not on a Greek island, but somewhere in the US being hunted by a priest (of all people).

A bit boring at times but Eastman's presence is over powering and the end involving a 'vegetable' overcoming her disabilities to face the beast is fairly ironic.