Video Nasties Seizures

Abducted

• Schoolgirls in Chains
• Girls in Chains
• Let's Play Dead

Summary Notes

Two deranged brothers, who are under the domineering influence of their crazed mother, kidnap young girls and keep them captive in chains in their basement, where they subject them to depraved "games" that often end in torture and murder.

Girls in Chains is a descent cheesy exploitation movie from the early 70's, featuring some good acting, and even some humourous parts. There is nudity, but not as graphic as what are shown in the other trailers, and not as what is suggested by the DVD cover.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2008 Exploitation Digital R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Aftermath

• The Aftermath
• Zombie Aftermath

Summary Notes

Two astronauts return to earth ("a few miles off the coast of Los Angeles") to find that it has been destroyed by nuclear war. L.A. has been taken over by Cutter and his gang of outlaw bikers (straight out of the 70s with bell bottoms and everything). Cutter rapes and pillages. Of course, there are also mutants. The astronauts hook-up with the only normal people left: two good-looking women, and two cute little children; a boy and a girl.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: No release since  1982 VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2007 Televista R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

The Black Room

Summary Notes

A room gets put up for rent following the mysterious murder of its previous tenant. When an apartment-hunting man sees the deal the brother and sister landlords are offering, he immediately puts down the first month's rent and starts spending his days there, even though he has a home to spend his nights at with his wife. When he comes home, he tells his wife about the fantasies he has of having sex with various women each day in his new apartment. His wife goes along with it for a while, but when she discovers that her husband's stories are much more than just fantasies, she starts to do some investigating.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: No release since 1983

US: Uncut for:

• VOD Full Movie at YouTube

Bloodlust

• Bloodlust: The Black Forest Vampire
• Blood Lust
• Mosquito
• Mosquito der Schander

Cut by the BBFC for 1977 cinema release. The VHS was seized by the authorities during the Video Nasty panic. Uncut in the US.

Summary Notes

A deaf and dumb accountant suffers from a psychic trauma in his childhood. He is collecting puppets and mutilates female bodies in the mortuary. After his secret love died by an accident he starts to kill.

A True Story - The Crime of the Century Late last century in the Black Forest a depraved maniac was on the loose, committing the most gruesome and horrifying crimes, breaking into funeral homes and cemeteries, sexually abusing and dismembering the corpses of young women. A demented serial killer stalking and slaughtering teenagers. A modern day vampire... pure evil in his own world of madness!

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: No release since 1983

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2007 Customflix R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Blood Song

• Dream Slayer
• The Hunters

The 1982 VHS was seized by the authorities during the Video Nasty panic. Passed uncut by the BBFC in 1986 and uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A psychopath escapes from a mental institution and starts a murder spree, which ends in the pursuing of a young handicapped girl, who once got a blood transfusion from him.

Scary the first 20 minutes of the film. It was spooky, interesting and a well built psycho-terror atmosphere; but soon it becomes weak...

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: 18 uncut

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2004 New Concorde R1 DVD at UK Amazon and at US Amazon

The Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll

• House of Psychotic Women
• Los ojos azules de la muneca rota

Summary Notes: A must see

An ex-convict, troubled by dreams that he strangles women, is hired as the caretaker on an estate owned by three very strange sisters. Soon after his arrival, a serial killer begins slaughtering blonde, blue-eyed women - and leaving their eyeballs in a bowl of water.

This Spanish giallo is a must see for fans of the genre. The killer's victims are dispatched in gruesome and creative means usually involving sharp instruments such as knives, meat cleavers, and a rake.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Not released since

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2008 Bci / Eclipse R1 DVD at UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Brutes and Savages

The cut original version was seized by police during the video nasty panic. There is an uncut Uncivilized Version released in the US.

Summary Notes

Fascinated by forbidden rituals and ceremonies, world explorer Arthur Davis takes a crew with hidden cameras to Africa and South America to secretly record the beauty and horror of the "law of the jungle". BRUTES AND SAVAGES is the filmed document of his death-defying adventures. Shocking, brutal and repulsive, this film mixes bizarre authentic footage with incredibly exploitive (and often hilarious) "re-enactments" of his findings. Animal sacrifices, bizarre tribal ceremonies, mating rituals and even brain surgery.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Not released since

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2003 Synapse Films R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Cannibal

Cut by the BBFC for 1977 cinema release. This cut cinema version was seized by police during the video nasty panic.  Less cut for 2003 DVD. Uncut in the US. See Last Cannibal World

Summary Notes

A plane crashes in the jungle. One of the survivors gets lost and while trying to find a way out of the jungle he gets captured by cannibals. He is humiliated, stripped naked, and thrown in a hole with a bird for a while. Eventually, he escapes with the help of a cannibal girl and tries to find his plane so he can go home.

If you're a cannibal junkie, this is one to devour. It's no "Cannibal Holocaust" and suffers from a somewhat simplistic script, but there's enough grue and nudity to satisfy gorehounds and enough animal cruelty to enrage everyone else.

It ain't pretty, folks, but it is one of a kind. They don't make 'em like this anymore and even though Deodato says he wants to now make "Cannibal Holocaust 2001" (too late ruggero!) - - don't hold your breath. This is a long-dead genre destined to stay that way. Bon appetit!

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 after BBFC Cuts

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2002 AIP R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Cannibals

• The Cannibals
• White Cannibal Queen
• Mondo cannibale

Released on a pre-cert video that was seized by police. Uncut on DVD. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A man who lost an arm and his family to a tribe of cannibals returns ten years later to bring back his teenager daughter, only to find that she grew up into a beautiful blonde woman who became the cannibals' queen.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

• 2004 International Trading/Hardgore R0 DVD at UK Amazon

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2007 Blue Underground R0 DVD at US Amazon released on 13th November 2007

The Child

• Zombie Child

Uncut by the BBFC but the film was seized by police during the video nasties panic. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A newly-hired housekeeper in a remote area is alarmed to discover that her boss's eleven-year-old daughter is using her supernatural powers to take revenge on the people she holds responsible for her mother's death, with the aid of her flesh-eating zombie 'friends'...

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

• 2008 4Digital R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2006 ILC R2 DVD
• 2000 Exploited VHS
• 1982 cinema release

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2001 Something Weird Video R1 DVD at US Amazon

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

Uncut by the BBFC but the pre-cert video was seized by police during the video nasties moral panic

Summary Notes

The true story of a part aboriginal man who finds the pressure of adapting to white culture intolerable, and as a result snaps in a violent and horrific manner.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2008 Industrial Entertainment R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

VoD: Uncut for:

• 2013 online on YouTube

Christmas Evil

• You Better Watch Out

Seized by the British police druing the Video Nasties panic. Uncut for 1999 video. The Director's cut was released uncut for DVD in 2012. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

Widely recognized as the best of the Christmas horror efforts, Christmas Evil is the story of a boy who loves Christmas. He is scarred as a boy when he learns that Santa is not real. Throughout the rest of his life, the toy-maker tries to make the Christmas spirit a reality. He becomes obsessed with the behavior of children and the quality of the toys he makes. When he is met with hypocrisy and cynicism, the resulting snap causes him to go on a yuletide killing spree to complete this dark comedic horror.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

• 2012 Arrow Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: The Director's Cut is MPAA R rated for:

• 2006 Synapse Films R1 DVD at US Amazon

Communion

• Alice, Sweet Alice
• Holy Terror

Uncut for 1977 cinema release. Cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty in 1998 and 2003. Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC in 2014.

Promotional Material

When ten-year-old Karen (Brooke Shields in her first screen appearance) is killed in church on the occasion of her first communion, her seemingly innocent older sister Alice (Paula Sheppard) becomes the prime suspect. Matters become complicated as more of Alice s family members are attacked, along with residents of her apartment building. Can a twelve-year-old girl be capable of such mayhem, or is someone else with a vicious plan destroying her family?

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1982 VCL VHS titled Communion

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong gory violence and horror for:

• 2014 88 Films R0 DVD titled Alice Sweet Alice at UK Amazon

Dawn of the Mummy

Cut by the BBFC for 1985 cinema release. Released uncut 0n 1983 pre-cert video but was seized by the police and withdrawn. Cut again by the BBFC for 1987 VHS. The BBFC cuts were waived for 2003 DVD. Uncut in the US.

Summary Review: Crummy Acting

Too much crummy acting in this one, and not enough quality make-up effects makes this hard to recommend.

This way-low-budget flick doesn't really have set-piece effects where you see the ripping and tearing, so it flops as a gore shocker.

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1983 VideoSpace VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut after the BBFC waived their previous cuts for:

• 2003 Anchor Bay R2 DVD via UK Amazon

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2003 Madacy Records R1 DVD at US Amazon

Dead Kids

• Strange Behaviour
• Human Experiments
• Small Town Massacre

Released uncut on pre-cert VHS and was seized by the police during the Video Nasties Panic but did not make the Video Nasties list. Then released uncut on 1986 VHS. Cut by the BBFC for DVD. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A scientist is experimenting with teenagers and turning them into murderers.

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1981 IFS VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 after BBFC cuts

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2014 Severin Films (RA) Blu-ray/(R1) DVD Combo via UK Amazon and at US Amazon titled Dead Kids

Death Weekend

• The House by the Lake

Cut by the BBFC for 1976 cinema release. Not one of the Video Nasties but was seized by police during the moral panic. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A rich playboy has a large house in the countryside. One weekend he invites a fashion model. On his way to the house, he drives past a gang of crazy young men. They find out where he lives, enter the house and kill him. Eventually the model arrives...

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1982 Vampix VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Not released since VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2012 Desert Island Films/Allied Vau R1 DVD at UK Amazon

Deep Red

• Profondo Rosso
• Deep Red Hatchet Murders
• Dripping Deep Red
• The Hatchet Murders
• The Sabre Tooth Tiger
• Suspiria 2

The pre-cert video was seized by police during the Video Nasties panic. BBFC VHAS and DVD release up to 2011 were cut for animal cruelty. Uncut since 2011. Uncut in the US.

Summary Review : Initiation into Giallo

This is a gorgeous film, it is rich in content and thought, it has an old school story telling feel about it, fantastic music by "Goblin", it is shocking and suspenseful, whilst showing some glorious cinematography by Luigi Keveiller.

Brilliant, Dario is unique and this is my favourite film of his, and one of my ALL time favourite films. A wonderful initiation into the world of Giallo.

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1982 Fletcher VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

• 2011 Arrow/Arrowdrome R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2011 Arrow [Italian + Export Version] R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2011 Arrow [Italian + Export Version] R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: The Italian Language Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2015 Blue Underground Dario Argento Collection (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2011 Blue Underground [Italian + Export Version] R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2007 Blue Underground R0 DVD at US Amazon

Demented

Released uncut on pre-cert video but this was seized in a police raid. Cut by the BBFC for 1987 VHS.

Summary Notes

A woman is gang-raped in a horse's stable, and even though the rapists are caught and imprisoned, she is harassed many moons later by ghastly visions of her tormentors, while her husband philanders and every little thing frightens her out of her wits.

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1982 Media VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 after cuts

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2012 Desert Island Films/Allied Vau R1 DVD via  UK Amazon

• 2014 VoD via YouTube

The Demons

• Les Démons
• Les Démons du sexe
• Las Poseidas Del Demonio
• Os Demonios
• She-Demons
• The Sex Demons

Banned by the BBFC for 1972 but the GLC awarded a local X rating for screenings in London. The video was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic in the early 80s. Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC for 2008 DVD.

Summary Review : A decent effort

The UK DVD of the Demons by Redemption is 103 minute directors cut restored by Franco in 2003 and is longer than the previous UK VHS release (which ran for less than 80 minutes). It is a decent effort not as good as some of Franco's earlier work but definitely better than the stuff he directed in the early 80's for Eurocine. Some scenes are in French without English subtitles!

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1981 Go VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

• 2011 Redemption R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2008 Redemption R2 DVD

US: The Director's Cut is MPAA Unrated for:

•  2014 Redemption/Kino (RA) Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Don't Answer the Phone

• The Hollywood Strangler

Cut for an MPAA R rating and for UK cinema release. The pre-cert video looks likely to have been the cut UK cinema version and was seized by police during the video nasties moral panic. Uncut in the US in an unrated version.

Summary Review:  It's Nasty

A deeply disturbed photographer and Vietnam veteran, named Kirk Smith, terrorizes Los Angeles by going around strangling lingerie-clad young women in their homes. He  taunts Lindsay Gale, a young psychologist, by calling her on a radio call-in show to describe his sexual hang-ups and misogynistic ways.

The movie's nasty and what there is of a plot is goofy. But Nicholas Worth scares the hell out of me every time I watch this. At once smug and terrified, forceful and helpless, his whimpering panic-attack-tantrum gets right into my guts and makes me identify with this obscene morbid beefy creature.

The movie lets you learn just enough about the victims to experience their fear and pain with maximum possible sympathy and intensity, and the sarcastic detective and other incidental characters get some hilarious lines.

The cut UK cinema version was released on pre-cert video for the 1981 Jupiter VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: The cut US R rated version was passed 18 without further cuts

• 2013 Mill Creek American Horror Stories Set R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2006 BCI/Eclipse R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Enter the Devil

Seized by the police during the Video Nasties moral panic and not released in the UK since. Available in the US.

Summary Notes

Enter the Devil is a great American-made B horror movie. People are disappearing in the wastelands. An occult researcher discovers that a devil-worshipping cult is responsible. Her inquiries lead her into great danger. Who can she trust? Very well acted by a cast of unknowns. Gritty and atmospheric. Color, 16mm.

Released uncut on pre-cert video for the 1983 Inter-Ocean VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Not released since VHS

US: MPAA PG Rated for:

• 2008 Sinister R0 DVD-R at US Amazon

The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein

A clothed version was passed 15 uncut for 2006 DVD. Previously the film was sezied by the police during the video nasties panic.

Summary Notes

Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant Morpho are killed just as they bring their creation to life. The monster is taken by Cagliostro and he now controls the monster and plans to have it mate and create the perfect master race.

Franco's obsessions with S&M and naked women provide a spice to a very tired tale.

Released on pre-cert video for the 1981 Go VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: The clothed version was passed 15 uncut in 2006

The Evil

• House of Evil

An uncut 1982 VHS release was seized by police during the Video Nasties moral panic. Uncut on 1987 VHS. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A chilling tale of suspense and survival. When a doctor rents a haunted house to use as a clinic, he and his associates are victimized by supernatural powers within.

Released on pre-cert video for the 1982 VFO VHS

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• 1987 Portland VHS titled House of Evil

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2010 Shout! Factory [ The Evil + Twice Dead] R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

VoD:

• 2014 VoD at YouTube titled House of Evil

The Executioner

• Duke Mitchell's Massacre Mafia Style
• Like father, Like Son

The pre-cert video was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic.

Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC for 1987 VHS.

Summary Notes

City streets run with blood as the son of America's King of organised crime seeks revenge for his father's exile to Sicily. His revenge and lust for power are bloody, violent, appalling... until he disgraces his father. Then the hitman becomes the hunted...

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

Final Exam

Seized by the police furing the video nasties moral panic. Passed 18 uncut on 1986 VHS. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

In a small college in North Carolina, only a select few students are left to take mid terms. But, when a killer strikes, it could be everyone's final exam.

Final Exam was made at the peak of the early 80's slasher period and I'm not surprised that this one been forgotten. The intro is truly typical stuff with a teen couple making out in a car only to be killed (but in a crap off screen murder). During the next 50 minutes! or so you'll be wondering if you're actually watching a slasher as nothing happens.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2014 Shout! Factory RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2011 Scorpion R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Foxy Brown

Uncut for 1974 cinema release and a 1982 VHS  which was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic. Cut for 1987 VHS but uncut in all home video releases since 1998. Uncut in the US

Summary Review: Blaxploitation classic

A voluptuous black woman takes a job as a high-class prostitute in order to get revenge on the mobsters who murdered her boyfriend.

Foxy Brown features a brilliant lead performance from the hypnotically attractive Pam Grier, whose federal agent boyfriend is gunned down, and who sets out to fight for revenge and justice where the System has failed her and at the same time is matched at every turn by Antonio Huggy Bear Fargas as her no-good younger brother.

The rest of the performances are variable, and the budgets of these things did tend to preclude brilliant method actors! Jack Hill's direction keeps things ticking over nicely and the screenplay swings wildly between shock-horror tactics, tongue-in-cheek theatricality and even the occasional stab at gut-level farce.

Foxy Brown is a definite must-see. Definitely one of the best, and most enjoyable blaxploitation films I've seen thus far.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut after the BBFC waived their cuts for:

• 2013 Arrow Steelbook Edition RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2013 Arrow RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2003 MGM R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 1998 Cinram/Orion VHS
• 1974 cinema release

US: Uncut and R Rated for:

• 2001 MGM R1 DVD at US Amazon

Friday the 13th

Exists as an uncut Unrated version and a cut R rated version.

The cut version was passed 18 for UK 1980 cinema release.

The uncut version was initially released on pre-cert VHS but was seized by police and the distributors reverted to the cut version until 1987.

Uncut since 2003 on DVD.

Summary Review: A Slasher Star is Born

Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to re-open a summer camp that was the site of a child's drowning.

Friday the 13th must be one of the biggest mysteries in cinema. Although it's a long way from being a good movie, its success and influence is unnameable.

The make-up effects by the master Tom Savini himself are excellent, but that alone isn't really enough to create a legendary horror movie.

I'll never reckon the Friday the 13th films as good - or even decent - efforts in the genre, but I'm always up for a little bit of brainless gore slashing. And that's what these series are made for...pure entertainment!!

UK: The Unrated Version was passed 18 uncut for:

• 2009 Warner R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2003 Warner R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2013 Paramount Friday the 13th Collection RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2012 Paramount Friday the 13th Collection R1 DVD at US Amazon
• 2009 Paramount R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2009 Paramount R1 DVD at US Amazon

Friday the 13th Part 2

• Friday the 13th Part II

Cut for an MPAA R rating.

The same cut version has been used for all UK and US release since.

The 1983 UK VHS release was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic.

There's no sign of the cuts being restored, so for the moment this is the best available version

Summary Review: Up There with the Original

Mrs. Voorhees is dead, and Camp Crystal Lake is shut down, but a camp next to the infamous place is stalked by an unknown assailant. Is it Mrs. Voorhees' son Jason who didn't drown in the lake some 30 years before?

While most sequels cash in on their original movie's fame, the second part of the Friday the 13th series lives up to its name.

The gore and the kill scenes surpass the original. The characters are true teenage stereotypes. Much like the ending in the original, the ending here is great.

UK: The cut R Rated Theatrical Version was passed 15 without further BBFC cuts for strong horror, violence and threat for:

• 2009 Paramount Special Edition RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2009 Paramount Special Edition R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: The Theatrical Version is MPAA R Rated for:

• 2013 Paramount Friday the 13th Collection RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2012 Paramount Friday the 13th Collection R1 DVD at US Amazon
• 2009 Paramount R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2009 Paramount Deluxe Edition R2 DVD at US Amazon

GBH: Grievous Bodily Harm

Released uncut on pre-cert VHS and was seized by police. Not released since.

The 1983 UK VHS release was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic.

Summary Notes

An early British film made on video. This gangland crime drama set in the nightclubs of Manchester proved to be a minor hit.

Graduation Day

The Director's Cut seems to be standard issue and is uncut.

The 1982 IFS VHS release was seized by the police during the video nasties moral panic.

Summary Notes

After a high school track runner, named Laura, suddenly dies from a heart attack after finishing a 30-second 200-meter race, a killer wearing a sweat suit and a fencing mask begins killing off her friends on the school track team one by one. The suspects include the track coach Michaels, Laura's sister Anne who arrives in town for the funeral, the creepy school principal Mr. Guglione, and Laura's strange boyfriend Kevin.

UK: The Director's Cut/Re-editted Version was passed 15 uncut for:

• 2014 88 Films R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2014 88 Films R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2003 Hollywood R2 DVD.
• 1986 VPD VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2014 Vinegar Syndrome (RA) Blu-ray/(R1) DVD Combo at US Amazon

Happy Birthday to Me

Uncut in the UK on cinema and VHS. The video was seized by police during the video nasties panic. Cut in the US for an MPAA R rating and this cut version was released on UK DVD.

Summary Notes

Virginia Wainwright is a spirited young woman who has returned to a private school having survived a deadly accident and regenerative brain surgery. She is proud that she belongs to the Top Ten - the school's inner circle with the best students - and attempts to resume a normal life. But her friends are falling prey to a grueling series of murders, and soon there will be no one left to attend her 18th birthday party. Could it be her? Striving to rekindle the memory of her nightmarish accident, Virginia suffers from memory loss and traumatic blackouts. We soon learn the horrible truth behind her accident and what is going on before her birthday party...

Current UK status: The cut US R rated version was passed 15 without BBFC cuts

Headless Eyes

• The Headless Eyes

Seized by police during the video nasties panic and not released since in the UK. Uncut in the US.

Summary Notes

Poor artist gets eye gouged out while committing a robbery. When his eye heals, he goes on a killing spree and cuts out women's eyes with a spoon.

Current UK status: Not released since VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2013 Wizard Entertainment R1 DVD at US Amazon

VoD:

• 2014 VoD at YouTube

Hell Prison

• Femmine infernali
• El infierno de las mujeres
• Escape from Hell
• Hellfire on Ice, Part 2: Escape from Hell
• L'inferno delle donee

Banned by the BBFC from 1980 cinema release. Later seized by the police during the video nasties panic. Cut for 1988 VHS. Uncut in the US

Summary Review: Eurotrash

All the girls look sweaty, stinky & dirty as they work, fight and make out with each other. That's about it for plot until they do escape and most of them get killed. Europeans love those downbeat endings.

It's always nice to see Peter Lorre lookalike Luciano Pigozzi in another piece of low-rent Eurotrash like this.  It's OK.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order during the video nasties panic.

The BBFC cut 3:46s for 1988 VHS.

Current UK status: Passed 18 after 3:46s of BBFC cuts

• 2009 Shock-O-Rama Women in Prison Triple Feature R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon titled Escape from Hell

The Hills Have Eyes

• Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes

Cut in the US for an R rating. Further cut by the BBFC for cinema. The cinema version was released on pre-cert video and was seized by police during the video nasties panic. It was cut again but differently, for BBFC approved VHS. The R rated Version was passed without BBFC cuts for DVD. This is the best available version, with no sign of original US cuts being restored.

Summary Notes

A family going to California accidentally goes through an Air Testing range closed to the public. They crash and are stranded in a desert. They are being stalked by a group of people, which have not emerged into modern times.

Cut in the US for an R rating. Further cut by the BBFC for cinema. The cinema version was released on pre-cert video and was seized by police during the video nasties panic.

It was cut again but differently, for BBFC approved VHS.

The R rated Version was passed without BBFC cuts for DVD. This is the best available version, with no sign of original US cuts being restored.

Current UK status: Passed 18 without BBFC cuts

• 2006 Anchor Bay R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2003 Anchor Bay R2 DVD

US: Cut and MPAA R Rated for:

• 2013 Image [Re-animator + Hills Have Eyes] RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2013 Image 4 Frightful Films Collection R1 DVD at US Amazon
• 2011 Image Midnight Madness Series RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2011 Image Midnight Madness Series R1 DVD at US Amazon

Home Sweet Home

Uncut by film censors but seized by police during the video nasties panic.

Summary Notes

An escaped mental patient steals a station wagon and makes his way to the Bradleys' Thanksgiving celebration, where he plans to make them a little less thankful...

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order during the video nasties panic.

Current UK status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• 2005 Boulevard R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 1987 Apex VHS

VoD:

• 2014 VoD at YouTube

Inseminoid

• Planet Terror
• Horror Planet

No censor cuts although a shortened version was released in UK cinemas. The video was seized by police during the video nasties moral panic.

Summary Notes

A group of scientists are working in a lab located on a distant planet. One of them, Sandy, is attacked, raped and impregnated by a monstrous creature. She then begins to stalk her colleagues one by one, killing them and drinking their blood.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order during the video nasties panic.

Current UK status: Passed 15 uncut

UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong, bloody violence for:

• 2005 Anchor Bay R2 DVD

• 1999 Sovereign/Stonevision/Quantum Leap R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• 1992 Vipco VHS
• 1987 Allied Vision VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 1999 Elite Entertainment R0 DVD at US Amazon

Invasion of the Blood Farmers

The film has only seen UK release on pre-cert VHS. The title was seized by police during the Video Nasties moral panic

Summary Notes

Somewhere in upstate New York, a young woman is terrorized by a group of rural farmers primarily interested in a harvest of blood.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order during the video nasties panic.

Current UK status: Not released since pre-cert VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2011 Cheezy Films R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 26th July 2011

The Killing Hour

• The Clairvoyant
• American Killing

Passed 18 uncut for 1982 cinema release but the World of Video 2000 pre-cert video was seized by the police during the Video Nasties panic. The film was then cut by the BBFC for 1986 VHS release. Uncut in the US for Unrated Anchor Bay and Blue Underground release but there seems to have been a shorter R rated release under the title The Clairvoyant

Summary Review: Nicely Done

New York police are trying to find out who is behind a rash of 'handcuff' murders, while a young artist (and psychic) is finding herself drawing the horrid crimes!

The opening sequences are quite grabbing, the murders are inventive (although not gory), and the plot builds to a great showdown climax.

Mastroianni's direction is sleekly well done, and the subtle piano score is a nice touch. The film also carries a kind of sexual vibe through out.

The cast is quite good in their performances. Nicely done on all levels.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order during the video nasties panic.

Current UK status: Passed 18 after 1:19s of BBFC cuts

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2008 Blue Underground R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

The Last Horror Film

• Fanatic

Uncut on pre-cert VHS. Cut by the BBFC for cinema and DVD. Uncut since 2014 Blu-ray. Cut in the US

Summary Notes

Vinny is obsessed with famous actress Jana Bates and is determined to have her star in his movie. He travels to the Cannes Film Festival in France to try and convince her. Unfortunately, he goes about things in a rather unprofessional manner and people involved with Jana Bates begin to disappear.

The brilliant performance by Joe Spinell came as no surprise. Playing an obsessed fan and would-be director, Spinell was both pathetic and sympathetic.

UK: Released uncut on pre-cert VHS for 1983 Intervision VHS:

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

UK: Promises of a special uncut edition for:

• 2016 88 Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2014 88 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon

The Last Hunter

• L'Ultimo cacciatore
• Il Cacciatore

Passed X uncut for a 1981 cinema release. Videos were seized by police during the Video Nasties moral panic. The BBFC subsequently the VHS for an 18 rated 1988 release. Later uncut on 18 rated 2002 DVD. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.

Summary Notes

During the Vietnam war, an American soldier gets trapped behind enemy lines. A squad of his buddies sets out to rescue him.

UK: Passed 18 uncut with BBFC cuts waived for:

• 2002 Michael Lee/Vipco R2 DVD via UK Amazon

• 2007 Dark Sky Films R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

The Love Butcher

Released on pre-cert VHS and was seized by the police during the Video Nasties moral panic. Not subsequently released in the UK but uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.

Summary Notes

The twisted tale of Caleb, and his alter ego Lester. After being pushed around too far, Caleb transforms into Lester and returns to those who have wronged him.

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2006 Jef Films R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Shogun Assassin

• Kosure Ookami: Sanzu no Kawa no Ubagurama
• Kozure Ohkmi 2
• Lone Wolf and Cub
• Baby Cart at the River Styx

Not an official video nasty. It was seized by police but was not prosecuted and wasn't listed as a nasty.

Japanese executioner treks around with young son in tow looking for revenge on the men who killed his wife. Lots of stylish bloody sword play and blood spattering.

Summary Review : A great film

A great samurai warrior served his Shogun honorably. The Shogun however grew paranoid and sought to destroy all those who might stand to oppose his rule. He sent his ninja spies to the samurai's home. The ninjas failed to kill the samurai, but did kill his beloved wife. From then on, the samurai swore to seek out the Shogun and avenge the death of his love. The samurai roams the countryside with his toddler son taking on mercenary work for money until the final battle with the Shogun's three Masters of Death.

Shogun Assassin is a great film. Much "controversy" has arisen over the years regarding this film having been cobbled together from two other films in the Lone Wolf series. I think that what has been achieved is an extremely entertaining, fast-paced piece of action. By eliminating non-essential story lines and including a voice over narration, the action moves at break neck speed. The amount of blood spilled is so over the top as to be cartoonish, which only adds to the uniqueness of the movie.

Shogun Assassin is actually an amalgam of two 1972 films titled Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance and Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx . The producer decided to join the best bits of these two films (using around 10 minutes of the first film as a pre-credits flashback sequence to introduce the characters).

Vipco released the video and it got caught up in the video nasties panic. Copies were seized and the distributors were prosecuted. But the prosecution failed and the videos were returned. Shogun Assassin was never officially listed as a video nasty by the DPP.

The 1992 Vipco was pre-cut along the lines of the cinema version. No further BBFC cuts were required

The 1999 Horror Video release was passed 18 uncut

Current Status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• 2011 Eureka RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2010 Eureka Limited Edition Steelbook R2 DVD/RB Blu-ray via UK Amazon
• 2009 Eureka Lone Wolf & Cub Boxset R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2009 Cornerstone R0 DVD
• 2000 Vipco R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2000 Vipco VHS
• 1999 Horror Video

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• 2014 AnimEigo RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon
• 2012 AnimEigo 5 Film Collector's Set RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2010 AnimEigo 30th Anniversary Edition RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2006 AnimEigo R1 DVD at US Amazon

Zombie Holocaust

• Zombi Holocaust
• Dr Butcher MD

Uncut by the BBFC since 2000 18 rated VHS. Previously self censored for pre-cert VHS during the video nasties panic. It was seized by the police but never became an official video nasty. There is cut US version named Dr Butcher MD, but it is uncut under the title Zombi Holocaust.

Promotional Material

A macabre mix of the classic Italian cannibal and zombie cycles, ZOMBI HOLOCAUST features Euro-exploitation stalwart Ian McCulloch (CONTAMINATION) as an academic who heads to a remote Caribbean island to research an intriguing murder-mystery. Once there, he and his team (which includes the beautiful Alessandra Delli Colli from THE NEW YORK RIPPER) are shocked to discover that the tropical abode is home to a mad surgeon who is creating zombies out of the local flesh-feasting natives! Also known as DOCTOR BUTCHER MD, and heavily indebted to the work of Lucio Fulci and George Romero, this superb bout of splatter carnage comes from the golden age of Italian gore.

The video was seized subject to an Obscene Publications Act Section 3 Seizure Order.

Current Status: Passed 18 uncut

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• 2015 88 Films R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2010 Cornerstone R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2004 Cornerstone R0 DVD
• 2000 Orbit VHS

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• 2002 Shriek Show R1 DVD at US Amazon