0:00:46:Civic TV,
0:00:48:the one you take to bed|with you.
0:00:50:Max, it's that time again:
0:00:54:time to slowly, painfully|ease yourself back into consciousness.
0:00:59:No, I'm not a dream,
0:01:02:although I've been told|I'm a vision of loveliness.
0:01:04:- Who told you that ?
0:01:06:I'm nothing less than your|faithful girl Friday, Bridey James,
0:01:10:here with your wake-up call of today,|which is Wednesday the 23rd.
0:01:15:You got that ?
0:01:17:Wednesday the 23rd.
0:01:21:And I have a message.
0:01:23:Remember your meeting|this morning at 6:30...
0:01:26:with Shinji Kuraki|of Hiroshima Video.
0:01:29:This meeting is to take place|at the Classic Hotel,
0:01:32:suite 17.
0:01:35:And needless to say,|it's your first of the day.
0:01:39:Don't you know anyone|who works 9:00 to 5:00 ?
0:01:43:Over and out, Commander.
0:01:47:Civic TV,|the one you take to bed with you.
0:03:09:- Cindy, open the door, will ya ?|- Go away.
0:03:12:Come on.|You know I love ya.
0:03:14:- Get outta here !|- Will you open the door ?|For ****'s sake, open the door !
0:03:18:- I want you out of this place !
0:03:22:For ****'s sake,|open the door !
0:03:29:You just gotta open|the ******* door !
0:03:32:Well, I looked over|the stills.
0:03:35:I am interested|a little bit.
0:03:37:- How many shows you got ?|- Thirteen,
0:03:39:with a possibility of|another six if the sales go well.
0:03:42:- You got cassettes ?|- Of course.
0:03:53:No, hold it.|Uh, show me the last one.
0:03:56:- Number 13.
0:03:58:But you won't understand anything.|Everything is set up in the first two.
0:04:02:My audience ain't gonna see the first|two shows. Show me the last one.
0:05:07:What do ya think ?
0:05:10:Can we get away with it ?|Do we wanna get away with it ?
0:05:14:I think Oriental sex|is a natural.
0:05:17:I think it'll get us an audience|we've never had before.
0:05:21:I don't like it.|Not tacky enough.
0:05:24:- Not tacky enough for what ?|- Tacky enough to turn me on.
0:05:28:Too much class|is bad for sex.
0:05:30:Maybe.
0:05:34:I don't know.
0:05:36:It's soft.
0:05:38:Something too...
0:05:41:soft about it.
0:05:45:I'm lookin' for something|that'll break through, ya know ?
0:05:48:Something... tough.
0:06:38:Hey, Harlan, uh--|Huh ?
0:06:40:Oh. Okay.
0:06:43:Here we go.
0:06:47:Now, it'll|come through on that.
0:06:50:Now, we only got about 53 seconds,|so keep your eyes open.
0:06:55:They've got an unscrambler scrambler,|if you know what I mean.
0:07:00:It sensed that we|were unscrambling...
0:07:02:and, uh, automatically|changed its code on us.
0:07:06:What satellite|is it coming from ?
0:07:08:- Snooker, I think.|- Country of origin ?
0:07:10:Uh, let me see. Uh-- Assuming 53|seconds represents the period of delay,
0:07:16:I'd say somewhere, uh,
0:07:19:in Malaysia ?
0:07:22:- Okay, here we go.
0:07:26:This is it.
0:07:41:What is that wall behind her ?|What is that, clay ?
0:07:45:- Yeah. White clay.|-
0:07:48:I think it's electrified.
0:08:14:- That's it ?
0:08:17:That's it.
0:08:19:- Grotesque, as promised.
0:08:22:Okay. Can you hang a search|on it next time it--
0:08:25:Already workin' on it.
0:08:27:I was pretty insulted when it just|shrugged us off in less than a minute.
0:08:31:Well, patron, interested ?
0:08:36:Yeah. Harlan, can you do something|about these labels ?
0:08:39:I mean, uh, this is supposed|to be a clandestine operation,|you know what I mean ?
0:08:44:Si, patron.
0:08:55:I always find myself|getting nervous,
0:08:57:even if you've been doing it|all your life, don't you think ?
0:09:00:Oh, yeah. Oh, for sure.
0:09:02:- 'Course, that's part|of the excitement of it.|- Mm-hmm.
0:09:08:Want a smoke ?
0:09:12:- No, thanks.|- Mmm.
0:09:17:- Max, just relax.|- Okay.
0:09:21:And now here it is:|The Rena King Show.
0:09:24:And this afternoon,|Rena's guests are Max Renn,
0:09:27:controversial president of Channel 83,|radio personality Nicki Brand...
0:09:32:and media prophet|Professor Brian O'Blivion.
0:09:34:Take it away, Rena.
0:09:37:- Max Renn,
0:09:39:your television station|offers its viewers...
0:09:42:everything|from soft-core pornography...
0:09:44:to hard-core violence.
0:09:46:- Why ?|- Well, it's a matter|of economics, Rena.
0:09:49:We're, uh, small. In order to survive,|we have to give people...
0:09:53:something they can't|get anywhere else,
0:09:55:and, uh--|and we do that.
0:09:57:But don't you feel|such shows contribute...
0:10:00:to a social climate of violence|and sexual malaise ?
0:10:04:- And do you care ?|- Certainly, I care.
0:10:08:I care enough, in fact,|to give my viewers a--
0:10:10:a harmless outlet for their fantasies|and their frustrations.
0:10:14:As far as I'm concerned,|that's a socially positive act.
0:10:18:What about it, Nicki ?|ls it socially positive ?
0:10:21:Well, I think we live|in overstimulated times.
0:10:24:We crave stimulation|for its own sake.
0:10:27:We gorge ourselves on it.
0:10:29:We always want more,|whether it's tactile,
0:10:32:emotional or sexual,|and I think that's bad.
0:10:35:Then why did you|wear that dress ?
0:10:39:- Sorry ?|- That dress.
0:10:42:It's very stimulating,|and-- and it's red.
0:10:48:You know what Freud would|have said about that dress.
0:10:51:And he would've been right.|I admit it.
0:10:54:I live in a highly excited|state of overstimulation.
0:10:58:Listen, I'd really like|to take you out to dinner tonight.
0:11:01:- You're beautiful in that dress.|What do you think ?|- Professor O'Blivion,
0:11:05:do you think erotic TV shows|and violent TV shows...
0:11:08:Iead to desensitization,|to dehumanization ?
0:11:14:The television screen has become|the retina of the mind's eye.
0:11:21:- Yes.|- That's why I refuse|to appear on television,
0:11:25:except on television.
0:11:27:Of course, O'Blivion is not|the name I was born with.
0:11:30:That's my television name.
0:11:32:Soon all of us will have|special names,
0:11:36:names designed to cause|the cathode ray tube to resonate.
0:11:40:- Yes, I am, actually.|- Yes.
0:11:43:- I am very interested.|- Nicki, is Max Renn|a menace to society ?
0:11:48:I'm not sure.
0:11:50:He's certainly|a menace to me.
0:11:58:When does the plot, uh,|start to unravel here ?
0:12:01:I mean, who is this black guy ?|ls he a political prisoner ?
0:12:05:- There's no plot.
0:12:08:It just goes on|like that for an hour.
0:12:10:- Goes on like what ?|- Like that.
0:12:13:- Torture, murder...
0:12:18:mutilation.
0:12:20:- We never leave that room.|- Nope.
0:12:22:- It's a real sicko.|- Brilliant.
0:12:25:- For perverts only.|- It's absolutely brilliant.
0:12:27:I mean, look, there's almost|no production costs.
0:12:30:You can't take your eyes off it.|It's incredibly realistic.
0:12:32:Where do they get actors|who can do this ?
0:12:35:- Oh, help me. I think he wants it.|- Come on.
0:12:37:It's worth checking out.
0:12:40:Did you have any trouble|locking onto it this time ?
0:12:42:Not after I realized|the Malaysia delay was a plant.
0:12:45:It's not coming|from Malaysia ?
0:12:48:You cannot fool the Prince|of Pirates for long.
0:12:51:Har-- Harlan,|where is it coming from ?
0:12:55:- Pittsburgh.
0:12:57:That's in the U.S.A.
0:13:00:Pittsburgh.
0:13:03:- Pittsburgh.
0:13:06:- Get professional help.|- But it's not me.
0:13:10:- It's my sister.|- It's not your sister.|It's you, lover.
0:13:14:Can't ya tell ? lsn't that|why you called me ?
0:13:19:You want help.|You need help.
0:13:22:You're going insane. I can hear you|disintegrating while you talk to me.
0:13:28:- I've got your number, haven't I ?
0:13:32:I hate my sister.
0:13:37:I don't want to.|It's ripping me up inside.
0:13:40:But I do. I do.
0:13:44:- Will you call our Distress Center ?
0:13:46:Will you call|the CRAM Distress Center ?
0:13:50:They'll tell you where|to get help, lover,
0:13:52:and you need it.
0:13:54:- You need it now.|- I will. I will.
0:13:56:Oh, thank you, Nicki.
0:14:01:We'll return to Nicki Brand...
0:14:03:and the Emotional Rescue show|in just a moment.
0:14:06:This is CRAM in Toronto,|and we've got the weather for you.
0:14:13:- Got any porno ?|- You serious ?
0:14:16:Yeah.|Gets me in the mood.
0:14:22:What's this ?|"Videodrome."
0:14:24:- Torture, murder.
0:14:27:Sounds great.
0:14:29:Ain't exactly sex.
0:14:32:Says who ?
0:14:46:- God, I can't believe it.|- I'll turn it off.
0:14:49:No, no, no. It's okay.|I can take it.
0:14:55:Can you get it any clearer ?
0:14:57:It's a pirate tape.|They scrambled it.
0:15:02:I like it.
0:15:04:- Yeah ?|- Yeah, it turns me on.
0:15:10:Take out your Swiss Army knife|and cut me here...
0:15:13:just--|just a little.
0:15:15:Looks like somebody's|beat me to it.
0:15:24:I wonder how you get to be|a contestant on this show.
0:15:27:I don't know. Nobody ever seems|to come back next week.
0:15:31:What did you say happened|to your shoulder ?
0:15:35:A friend. I think|he'd like Videodrome.
0:15:39:You let somebody cut you ?
0:15:42:- Uh-huh.
0:15:45:What do ya think ?
0:15:48:Well, l-l don't know.
0:15:50:You wanna try a few things ?
0:16:30:Oh.
0:16:37:Oh.
0:18:57:Max, thank God. Masha Borowczyk|has been in your office for an hour.
0:19:01:- Masha.|- What were you doing last night ?|Didn't you get my message ?
0:19:04:- I don't think I'm ready for this.|- Coffee.
0:19:06:- Cigarette. Office. Masha. Go.|- All right. Masha.
0:19:09:- She's hot to trot
0:19:14:I call it...
0:19:16:Apollo and Dionysus.
0:19:23:Masha, does it ever get good ?
0:19:26:It's all good.
0:19:29:- Darling, I am looking|for something a lot more...
0:19:34:contemporary.
0:19:36:I want something that's gonna|show people what's really|goin' on under the sheets.
0:19:41:This stuff is too--|It's too naive.
0:19:44:It's too sweet,|like you, darling.
0:19:53:Well, it's your market.
0:19:59:Do you know a show|called Videodrome ?
0:20:01:- Video-what ?|- D-R-O-M-E.
0:20:05:Videodrome,|like video circus, video arena.
0:20:08:- You know it ?|- No.
0:20:11:It's just torture|and murder.
0:20:13:No plot, no characters.|Very, very realistic.
0:20:17:I think it's what's next.
0:20:20:Then God help us.
0:20:22:- Better on TV than on the street.
0:20:28:Arnold on line three.
0:20:31:You interested in, uh,|tracking it down for me ?
0:20:33:I'll see that you get|the agent's commission.
0:20:35:I'm interested.|Let me try.
0:20:41:Max,
0:20:43:did you ever think...
0:20:45:of producing|your own show ?
0:20:48:Right here ?
0:20:51:I could be your agent,
0:20:53:worldwide.
0:20:55:I could sell subterranean|for you everywhere.
0:20:58:- No, I don't have the temperament.|- But if you did,
0:21:03:what kind of show|would you do ?
0:21:06:I mean,|for the subterranean market.
0:21:09:Would you do...|Videodrome ?
0:21:15:Max.
0:21:17:- Mm-hmm.|- I'm goin' away tomorrow|for two weeks...
0:21:21:on assignment.
0:21:24:Guess where ?
0:21:27:L.A.
0:21:29:- Pittsburgh.|- Fabulous.
0:21:33:- Don't stay in the sun too long.|I hear it's bad for the skin.|- Oh, come on.
0:21:37:Isn't that where|they make Videodrome ?
0:21:40:Yeah. Why ?
0:21:44:I'm gonna audition.
0:21:47:I was made for that show.
0:21:50:Nobody on Earth|was made for that show.
0:21:55:Hey. Listen to me.
0:22:00:- Listen to me.|- What ?
0:22:03:I want you to stay|away from it.
0:22:05:Those mondo weirdo video guys,|they've got unsavory connections.
0:22:08:They play rough, rougher than|even Nicki Brand wants to play.
0:22:11:Do you understand me ?
0:22:13:Sounds like a challenge.
0:22:24:Got a cigarette ?
0:22:29:It's not a challenge.
0:22:31:I swear. You know, in Brazil,|Central America, those kinds of places,
0:22:35:making underground video|is considered a subversive act.
0:22:39:They execute people for it.|In Pittsburgh, who knows ?
0:22:52:Max.
0:23:03:Nicki, don't !
0:23:20:Nicki, don't.
0:23:27:Don't.
0:24:23:- Do you have a hangover ?|- No. Stayed up late watching TV.
0:24:28:Did you get in touch|with our friends in Pittsburgh ?
0:24:32:In a way.|At a distance.
0:24:35:- Subterranean grapevine.|- And ?
0:24:39:Max,
0:24:41:Videodrome is something|for you to leave alone.
0:24:45:It is definitely not|for public consumption.
0:24:49:Channel 83 is a little|small to be considered public.
0:24:54:It is still too public.|Do you understand me ?
0:24:57:No.|What's the punch line ?
0:24:59:I think|it's dangerous, Max.
0:25:02:- Videodrome.|- Why ? It's Mafia ? They do business.
0:25:06:No, no. It's more, um--|How can I say ?
0:25:10:More political|than that.
0:25:12:Come on, Masha.|What are we talkin' about ?
0:25:15:Videodrome.
0:25:17:What you see|on that show,
0:25:20:it's for real.
0:25:22:It's not acting.|It's... snuff TV.
0:25:26:I don't believe it.
0:25:31:So... don't believe.
0:25:35:Why do it for real ?|It's easier and safer to fake it.
0:25:39:Because it has something...
0:25:42:that you don't have,|Max.
0:25:45:It has a philosophy, and that|is what makes it dangerous.
0:25:50:Whose philosophy ?
0:25:53:There must be a name.
0:25:55:Give me a name I can talk to.|Masha, Masha, you know me.
0:26:00:I stay away|from the scary stuff.
0:26:06:Max,
0:26:08:you are going to have to|be nice to me for this.
0:26:12:We can take a shower together,|anytime you say.
0:26:18:I'm sure you would be|very beautiful,
0:26:23:but, uh, you're a little|older than I prefer.
0:26:29:Thank you...
0:26:31:so much.
0:26:39:Sell me a name,
0:26:42:and I'll make Apollo and Dionysus|part of the package.
0:26:47:That hurts me, Max.
0:26:49:Hey, the world's|a shithole, ain't it ?
0:26:54:Yes, Max.
0:26:57:It is.
0:27:04:Brian O'Blivion.
0:27:06:That is the only name|I have to give.
0:27:10:Professor Brian O'Blivion.
0:27:19:Wait, where you goin' ?|Come back here.
0:27:21:Hey. Hey, buddy.|Got a fag ?
0:27:23:- Are they goin' in now ?|- Got a cigarette ?
0:27:30:- Gotta have a smoke|and a cup of coffee.|- Wait a minute.
0:27:33:They don't serve coffee there.|They just serve piss water.
0:27:37:- I don't need to put up with|this ****. I'm a young woman.
0:27:42:Take a good look at me.|I'm a good-lookin' woman.|I got nice tits.
0:27:47:Let's go.
0:27:55:Hello. Move along.
0:28:05:Move out of my way !
0:28:07:Hello. Straight down|the hallway.
0:28:13:Keep on.|Straight down the hallway.
0:28:16:Keep going,|keep going.
0:28:21:Come on. Step along.
0:29:04:- Bianca O'Blivion ?|- Yes.
0:29:06:I'm Max Renn. I, uh--|I run Civic TV.
0:29:09:I did a panel show|with Prof. O'Blivion.|The Rena King Show.
0:29:13:Oh, yes. You said some|very superficial things.
0:29:16:Violence, sex,|imagination, catharsis.
0:29:19:- My exact words.|- What do you want ?
0:29:21:I wanna talk|with your father...
0:29:23:about a new twist in video|that he may not be aware of.
0:29:48:I love the view.
0:29:51:You look like them,|like one of Father's derelicts.
0:29:54:Think it's a style|that's coming back.
0:29:57:In their case, Mr. Renn,|it's not a style.
0:30:01:It's a disease forced on them by their|lack of access to the cathode ray tube.
0:30:05:You think a few doses of TV|are gonna help them ?
0:30:08:Watching TV will help patch them back|into the world's mixing board.
0:30:12:Absolutely.
0:30:17:And I guess you encourage Father's|derelicts to make home movies ?
0:30:21:The world's mixing board ?
0:30:23:Prof. O'Blivion sends video letters|all over the world.
0:30:26:- Is the Professor here ?|- I am my father's screen.
0:30:38:Once you've told me what this|visit is all about, he may|choose to send you a cassette.
0:30:42:If he does, which format|would you like ?
0:30:45:If he does, it's gonna make|conversation a little difficult.
0:30:48:My father has not engaged|in conversation for at least 20 years.
0:30:53:The monologue is his preferred mode|of discourse.
0:30:57:Format.
0:31:01:Videodrome.
0:31:03:Is that a Japanese|configuration ?
0:31:08:- You've never heard of it ?|- No.
0:31:10:Then there have been|serious gaps in your education.
0:31:14:- Videodrome.
0:31:16:Mention it to your father.|He may want to have a conversation.
0:31:20:I love the view.
0:31:39:Torture, murder, mutilation.
0:31:43:Videodrome.
0:31:45:What you see|on that show,
0:31:48:it's for real.
0:31:50:I'm gonna audition.
0:31:52:I was made for that show.
0:31:55:It has something|that you don't have, Max.
0:32:00:It has a philosophy,|and that is what makes it dangerous.
0:32:48:Hi. This is|your wake-up cassette,
0:32:51:and this came to the office|for you by courier.
0:32:54:- What did they say at CRAM ?|- They said that Nicki Brand...
0:32:57:is definitely not|on assignment for them.
0:32:59:- She had a month off coming|and decided to take it.|- Don't touch that !
0:33:10:Jesus, Max, you scared me.
0:33:16:What the hell's|wrong with you ?
0:33:19:I don't know, man. I think|I'm gettin', like, a rash or somethin'.
0:33:22:- Uh--|- What ?
0:33:25:Are you all right ?|Bridey, I didn't mean to hit you.
0:33:29:Hit me ?
0:33:32:You didn't hit me.
0:33:34:No ? No. No, I know I didn't hit you.|I meant--
0:33:39:- Do you want me to stay here ?
0:33:43:- Uh--|- You look awful.
0:33:46:- Can I get you something ?|- Uh, no, uh--
0:33:49:No, I'm just, uh--
0:33:51:Uh, I'm--
0:33:54:I'm exhausted. I was|in a deep sleep when you knocked,
0:33:58:and I guess I'm|still not out of it.
0:33:59:and I guess I'm|still not out of it.
0:34:00:I'll remember to set the timer.|Don't worry.
0:34:02:- You're sure ? Are you sure ?|- I'm sure. Yeah.
0:34:04:Thanks, Bridey.|Tomorrow.
0:34:06:Max, that other cassette is from|the office of Brian O'Blivion.
0:34:10:I promised I'd hand-deliver it|directly to you.
0:34:13:Will you call me|if you need me ?
0:35:14:The battle for the mind|of North America...
0:35:17:will be fought|in the video arena:
0:35:20:the Videodrome.
0:35:22:The television screen|is the retina of the mind's eye.
0:35:27:Therefore, the television screen is part|of the physical structure of the brain.
0:35:31:Therefore, whatever appears|on the television screen...
0:35:36:emerges as raw experience|for those who watch it.
0:35:41:Therefore,|television is reality,
0:35:45:and reality is less|than television.
0:35:48:- Max.
0:35:51:I'm so glad|you came to me.
0:35:55:I've been through it all|myself, you see.
0:35:58:Your reality is already|half video hallucination.
0:36:04:If you're not careful,|it will become total hallucination.
0:36:09:You'll have to learn to live|in a very strange new world.
0:36:15:I had a brain tumor,
0:36:17:and I had visions.
0:36:20:I believed the visions|caused the tumor...
0:36:23:and not the reverse.
0:36:26:I could feel the visions|coalesce and become flesh.
0:36:31:Uncontrollable flesh.
0:36:36:But when they removed|the tumor,
0:36:39:it was called Videodrome.
0:36:43:I was the--
0:36:46:I-- I...
0:36:48:was Videodrome's...
0:36:51:first victim.
0:36:54:But who is behind it ?|What do they want ?
0:36:59:I want you, Max.
0:37:03:You.
0:37:08:Come to me.
0:37:11:Come to Nicki.
0:37:15:Come on.
0:37:17:Don't make me wait.
0:37:23:Please.
0:37:56:I want you, Max.
0:38:00:You.
0:38:04:Come on.
0:38:08:- Come on.
0:38:15:Come to me now.
0:38:19:Come to Nicki.
0:38:21:- Don't keep me waiting.
0:38:25:Please.
0:38:31:Please.
0:38:51:Today Lady Luck|may smile on these four players...
0:38:55:and start them on the road|to $12,000--
0:38:58:We have a new group|of people coming in this afternoon,
0:39:00:so tell the staff|about that.
0:39:02:- All right. Good.
0:39:14:Exciting. Very lively.
0:39:17:Careful. It bites.
0:39:26:- You watched the cassette ?|- Yeah.
0:39:29:- It changed my life.|- I'm not surprised.|It's dangerous, you know.
0:39:33:Because your father admits|he's somehow involved with Videodrome ?
0:39:36:More than that. It bites.|Isn't that what you said ?
0:39:41:What kind of teeth|do you think it has ?
0:39:43:It triggered off a series|of hallucinations.|I woke up with a headache.
0:39:47:- First time ever ?|- No, l-l've been|hallucinating for a while,
0:39:50:- ever since--|- What ?
0:39:55:Since I first saw|Videodrome.
0:39:59:How did you come|to be exposed to it ?
0:40:02:Pirate satellite dish.
0:40:05:A-An accident.
0:40:08:I made some tapes.
0:40:10:This is part of my own|Videodrome collection.
0:40:12:But that tape is just your father|sitting at his desk.
0:40:15:The tone of the hallucinations|is determined by the tone|of the tape's imagery.
0:40:20:But the Videodrome signal,|the one that does the damage,
0:40:24:it can be delivered|under a test pattern, anything.
0:40:28:Mmm.
0:40:33:Damage ?
0:40:35:The signal induces|a brain tumor in the viewer.
0:40:38:It's the tumor that creates|the hallucinations.
0:40:42:You let me watch it ?
0:40:44:I expect them to come to me|eventually to hurt me.|I thought it might be you.
0:40:49:Now I realize you're|just another victim...
0:40:52:Iike Father was.
0:40:54:Where is your father ?|I think I'd better talk to him.
0:40:59:He's in there.
0:41:05:I'm afraid|he'll disappoint you.
0:41:13:This is him.
0:41:15:- This is all that's left.|- What are you talking about ?
0:41:19:Brian O'Blivion died quietly|on an operating table 11 months ago.
0:41:23:- The brain problem ?|- The Videodrome problem.
0:41:28:- You have it too.|- But he was on that panel show with me.
0:41:32:On tape. He made|thousands of them.
0:41:35:Sometimes|three or four a day.
0:41:38:I keep him alive|as best I can.
0:41:40:He had so much to offer.
0:41:43:My father helped|to create Videodrome.
0:41:45:He saw it as the next phase|in the evolution of man|as a technological animal.
0:41:50:When he realized what his partners|were going to use it for,
0:41:54:he tried to take it|away from them.
0:41:56:And they killed him.|Quietly.
0:42:00:At the end, he was convinced|that public life on television...
0:42:03:was more real than|private life in the flesh.
0:42:07:He wasn't afraid|to let his body die.
0:42:15:Tell me about|my Videodrome problem.
0:42:17:My father knows much more|about it than I do.
0:42:21:Listen to him.
0:42:30:Where's Harlan ?|He's not in the lab.
0:42:32:- I think he's up in V.T.R. Max--|- Not now.
0:42:38:- Harlan.|- Si, patron.
0:42:41:Have you been|hallucinating lately ?
0:42:44:No.
0:42:46:- Should I be ?|- Yes.
0:42:49:You should be.
0:42:55:I believe...
0:42:57:that the growth in my head--
0:43:00:this head,|this one right here--
0:43:04:I think that it is not|really a tumor,
0:43:08:not an uncontrolled, undirected|little bubbling pot of flesh,
0:43:12:but that it is in fact...
0:43:15:a new organ,
0:43:17:a new part of the brain.
0:43:20:I think that massive doses|of Videodrome signal...
0:43:25:will ultimately create|a new outgrowth...
0:43:29:of the human brain,|which will produce...
0:43:32:and control hallucination...
0:43:35:to the point that it will|change human reality.
0:43:39:After all,|there is nothing real...
0:43:42:outside our perception|of reality,
0:43:45:is there ?
0:43:50:You can see that, can't you ?
0:45:37:- Max Renn ?|- Yes.
0:45:40:- Who is this ?|- Barry Convex would like to talk|to you about Videodrome.
0:45:45:I've got a car waiting|downstairs for you, sir.
0:46:25:Please direct your attention|to the television set|in front of you, Mr. Renn.
0:46:30:Mr. Convex has recorded|a little introduction for you.
0:46:46:Hi, I'm Barry Convex,|Chief of Special Programs,
0:46:50:and I'd like to invite you|into the world of Spectacular Optical,
0:46:54:an enthusiastic|global corporate citizen.
0:46:57:We make inexpensive glasses|for the Third World...
0:47:00:and missile guidance systems|for NATO.
0:47:04:We also make|Videodrome, Max,
0:47:06:and as I'm sure you know,
0:47:09:when it's ready for|the marketplace, things will|never be quite the same again.
0:47:13:It can be a giant hallucination machine|and much, much more.
0:47:18:But it's not ready. Those were|test transmissions you picked up.
0:47:23:We thought nobody|could tap into them.
0:47:25:He's good, that Harlan.|Good pirate.
0:47:31:Well, now that you have,
0:47:33:I think we oughta have|a little talk, don't you ?
0:47:36:I thought maybe...|my place ?
0:48:50:- I hope you realize|you're playing with dynamite.
0:48:54:That's our spring line.
0:48:56:Top secret stuff.
0:48:58:I brought it with me for a trade show|here in town later this week.
0:49:03:Max Renn, I'm Barry Convex.
0:49:09:I--
0:49:11:I think that machinery|you're wearing is...
0:49:13:too much for the shape|of your face.
0:49:15:Overwhelms you.
0:49:17:T-Try something more, uh,|spidery,
0:49:21:more delicate.
0:49:26:Here she is.|This is our prototype.
0:49:29:This is the little number|that started it all.
0:49:34:Max,
0:49:36:I would like you|to try this on for size.
0:49:40:I would like to use this machine to|record one of your hallucinations now.
0:49:45:Then I would like to take that tape|back with me to home base for analysis.
0:49:50:Do I get to|keep the copyright ?
0:49:53:I mean, I'd hate to see it|show up as a Movie of the Week|and not get paid for it.
0:49:57:Max, I'm trying|to help you.
0:49:59:What makes you think|I need help, Barry ?
0:50:02:None of our test subjects|has returned to... normality.
0:50:07:They're all in need|of intensive psychiatric care.
0:50:12:Now, you seem to be|functioning reasonably well...
0:50:15:so far.
0:50:17:I'd like to find out why,
0:50:19:and I think an analysis|of one of your hallucinations...
0:50:22:would be the right|place to start.
0:50:28:Will it hurt ?
0:50:30:It won't hurt you.
0:50:32:You might catch yourself|sliding in and out...
0:50:34:of a hallucinatory state|after this is all over.
0:50:36:If you do, just relax and enjoy it.|It'll soon go away.
0:50:40:But for now, I think that you'll|find a little S-and-M...
0:50:44:will be necessary to trigger off a good,|healthy series of hallucinations.
0:50:49:- That's why our Videodrome show|is so strange.
0:50:52:Something to do with the effects|of exposure to violence|on the nervous system.
0:50:57:It opens up receptors|in the brain and the spine,
0:50:59:and that allows the Videodrome|signal to sink in.
0:51:02:- You mean I'm gonna have|to hurt you, Barry ?
0:51:04:'Fraid not. You don't have|to actually hurt anybody.
0:51:08:You just have to think|about it.
0:51:19:Wha-a-a-- That's too bright !|I can't take it !
0:51:21:- Yes ! I forgot ! Sorry !|How's that ?|- ****.
0:51:23:- Yeah. Yeah.|Yeah, that's fine.
0:51:32:Okay, we're rolling.
0:51:35:The taping mechanism|is all self-contained.
0:51:38:You don't have to do|anything now but hallucinate.
0:51:41:Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
0:51:47:I'll come back for you|later.
0:51:52:You'll forgive me if I don't|stay around to watch.
0:51:56:I just can't cope|with the freaky stuff.
0:52:48:Nicki ?
0:52:52:- Nicki.|- Well, here we are at last,
0:52:57:right where we oughta be:
0:53:00:on Videodrome.
0:53:16:What are you|waiting for, lover ?
0:53:18:Let's perform.
0:53:21:Let's open|those neural floodgates.
0:53:49:Aah !
0:53:54:Aah !
0:54:10:Aah !
0:54:15:Aah !
0:54:23:- Aah !
0:54:38:What's going on, Prof. Oblivion ?
0:54:41:I mean, really.
0:54:43:Oh.
0:55:15:Oh, Masha.
0:55:51:Harlan,
0:55:53:it's Max.
0:55:55:Can you come over to|my apartment ? Right away.
0:55:58:Yeah, I'm serious.
0:56:00:Come on in.
0:56:02:Well, here I am, patron.
0:56:04:Camera. Flashgun. What's up ?|Ya wanna be a centerfold ?
0:56:08:I want you to go|into my bedroom,
0:56:10:and I want you to take a look|at what's in my bed.
0:56:12:Uncover it. Don't be shy.|I want pictures.
0:56:18:- Pictures of what's in your bed ?|- Yeah. Do it.
0:56:23:Sure. Okay.
0:56:28:Oh, God.
0:56:46:Well ?
0:56:51:Max.
0:56:56:I don't see anything.
0:57:00:You didn't just want me to shoot|your bed, pillows, sheets,
0:57:02:You didn't just want me to shoot|your bed, pillows, sheets,
0:57:03:did you ?
0:57:15:- It's disa--|- Max, are you in some kind|of drug warp ?
0:57:19:I've got friends|who can help.
0:57:21:Bridey said she came by|a couple of days ago. You were--
0:57:23:Did you tape Videodrome|last night ?
0:57:25:If it was transmitted,|the machine would've caught it.
0:57:27:I'll meet you in the lab in one hour.|I wanna see it.
0:57:30:- Jeez, it's not even 7:00 a.m.|- I'm not ******* around !|Do you understand me ?
0:57:34:Well, **** you. I'm not some *******|servomechanism you can switch on.
0:57:37:You want me to run around like an|asshole, tell me what I'm doing it for.
0:57:41:- Otherwise, I'll see you|during office hours.|- Harlan.
0:57:44:You're right.
0:57:46:It's momentum. I'm runnin'|like an express train here.|I don't know how to stop.
0:57:50:Look, I'll meet you|in the lab in one hour.
0:57:53:Okay ? And then we'll see if we|pulled in any Videodrome last night...
0:57:57:and I'll tell you|what's going on.
0:57:59:Everything. I promise.|Okay ?
0:58:01:Okay. I'm sorry|if I freaked out on you.
0:58:05:- I don't work with you for the money.|- I know that.
0:58:08:With pirates, it's never|just for the money, is it ?
0:58:11:You want a cup of cof-- No, look.|I'll meet you in the lab in an hour.
0:58:56:Come on in.
0:58:59:- Did you look at the tape ?
0:59:03:- Did you see me on Videodrome ?|- There was no tape.
0:59:08:- There was no Videodrome|transmission last night ?|- Not last night.
0:59:12:- Aw, **** !|- Not ever.
0:59:17:What-- What are you|talking about ?
0:59:24:I'm out of my depth now,|patron.
0:59:26:I had to bring in|the reinforcements.
0:59:38:Max.
0:59:42:An intriguing combination.|Very interesting.
0:59:46:- Don't let me interrupt.|- I think I was saying something like,
0:59:49:"What are you talking about ?"
0:59:51:I was playing you|tapes, Max.
0:59:54:Prerecorded cassettes.
0:59:57:Videodrome has never been transmitted|on an open broadcast circuit.
1:00:02:- Not yet.|- I guess Barry sent you here,|what, two years ago ?
1:00:07:It has been... two years,|hasn't it, Harlan ?
1:00:12:Two. Two wonderful years.
1:00:15:Why ?
1:00:22:To get you involved.
1:00:26:To expose you|to the Videodrome signal.
1:00:30:It didn't affect you because|you never watched it !
1:00:35:You knew what was there.|You didn't have to see it.
1:00:38:It really does work|on just about anybody.
1:00:43:Anybody who watches it, Max.
1:00:45:But why would|anybody watch it ?
1:00:49:Why would anybody watch|a scum show like Videodrome ?
1:00:54:Why did you watch it, Max ?
1:00:56:Business reasons.
1:00:58:Sure. Sure.
1:01:02:What about|the other reasons ?
1:01:05:Why deny you get your kicks|out of watching torture and murder ?
1:01:09:You murdered Brian O'Blivion,|didn't you, you freak ?
1:01:12:Did you enjoy that ?
1:01:22:North America's|getting soft, patron.
1:01:25:And the rest of the world|is getting tough.
1:01:28:Very, very tough.
1:01:31:We're entering savage|new times,
1:01:34:and we're going|to have to be pure...
1:01:37:and direct...
1:01:39:and strong...
1:01:42:if we're gonna|survive them.
1:01:44:Now, you and this, uh,
1:01:49:cesspool you call|a television station...
1:01:53:and, uh, your people|who wallow around in it...
1:01:56:and, uh, your viewers...
1:01:58:who watch you do it--
1:02:02:you're rotting us away|from the inside.
1:02:07:We intend|to stop that rot.
1:02:09:We're gonna start|with Channel 83, Max.
1:02:12:We're gonna use it for our first|authentic transmissions of Videodrome.
1:02:16:I have a hunch it's gonna be|very popular... for a while.
1:02:21:I've gotta be hallucinating now, right ?|I mean...
1:02:24:you two can't|possibly be for real.
1:02:30:Ah, we did record|your hallucinations, Max,
1:02:33:as I said we would.
1:02:36:And we did analyze them.
1:02:40:You're ready|for something new.
1:02:43:That's terrific.
1:02:52:What do you, uh--|What do you want from me ?
1:02:55:I want you to open up, Max.
1:02:58:Open up to me.
1:03:13:I've got something|I want to play for you.
1:03:19:Oh, my God !
1:03:49:We want Channel 83, Max.
1:03:52:- Give it to us.
1:03:55:Give us Channel 83.
1:03:59:Kill your partners.
1:04:01:Kill them.
1:04:04:Kill your partners|and give us Channel 83.
1:04:28:Aah.
1:05:48:Give us Channel 83.
1:05:51:Kill your partners.
1:05:53:Kill them.
1:05:55:Kill your partners|and give us Channel 83.
1:06:02:Hello, Max.
1:06:14:How ya doin', Max ?
1:06:25:Where's Moses ?
1:06:28:He's in a meeting with Rafe.
1:06:30:I'll tell him you want him.
1:06:34:Don't.
1:06:45:We dub in a funny track.|Gentle comedy.
1:06:49:Mm-hmm. And you'd be|the one to write it.
1:06:52:Yeah. Yeah, I would. I used to write|in high school, then I lost it.
1:06:57:Hi, Max.
1:06:59:You're just in time to throw some light|on an interesting problem.
1:07:06:Don't.
1:07:16:Max.
1:07:19:What the **** ?
1:07:25:Jesus !
1:07:28:It was from the boardroom !
1:07:30:Max, what happened ?|Are you hurt ?
1:07:32:- They killed-- They--|- What happened ?
1:07:34:- They killed us !|- What happened ?
1:07:36:- Jesus ! Look out !
1:07:40:Help !
1:07:43:In here ! ln here !
1:07:45:Get out !|Just clear outta here !
1:07:48:Come-- Get out !
1:07:50:Let me see.
1:07:55:Max !
1:07:57:Max.
1:08:42:Kill Bianca O'Blivion.
1:08:45:She knows too much.
1:08:47:She can hurt us.
1:08:50:Don't let her hurt us,|Max.
1:08:53:Kill her.|Kill Bianca O'Blivion.
1:10:03:Bianca O'Blivion.
1:10:06:I run Civic TV.
1:10:09:I was on a talk show|with your father.
1:10:12:So it was to be you|after all.
1:10:15:You've come to kill me.
1:10:18:No. No, I'm Max Renn.|I run Civic TV. I don't--
1:10:26:I don't kill people.
1:10:28:Oh, but you do.
1:10:30:You're an assassin now|for Videodrome.
1:10:33:They can program you.
1:10:36:They can play you|like a videotape recorder.
1:10:40:They can make you do|what they want,
1:10:43:and they want you to destroy|whatever is left of Brian O'Blivion.
1:10:48:They want you|to destroy me.
1:10:50:Destroy you ?
1:11:21:They killed her, Max.|They killed Nicki Brand.
1:11:28:She died on Videodrome.
1:11:31:They used her image to seduce you,|but she was already dead.
1:11:36:Don't back away.
1:11:38:I stole it from them|just for you to see.
1:11:46:Videodrome is death.
1:12:10:That's better.
1:12:14:So much better.
1:12:20:It's always painful|to remove the cassette,
1:12:24:to change the program.
1:12:28:But now that we have,
1:12:31:you'll see that you've become something|quite different from what you were.
1:12:35:You've become|the video word made flesh.
1:12:40:I am the video word made flesh.
1:12:44:And now that you are|the video word made flesh,
1:12:48:you know what|you have to do.
1:12:53:You turn|against Videodrome.
1:12:56:You use the weapons|they've given you to destroy them.
1:13:01:Death to Videodrome.
1:13:04:Long live the new flesh.
1:13:07:Death to Videodrome.
1:13:14:Long live the new flesh.
1:13:29:It was only 26 hours ago|in the building you see behind me...
1:13:33:that a bizarre, apparently|motiveless shooting occurred...
1:13:35:which has triggered off|an intensive manhunt by Metro Police.
1:13:39:Thirty-four-year-old Max Renn,|president of the Civic TV Corporation,
1:13:42:is being sought in connection|with the shooting deaths of|two executives at Channel 83--
1:13:46:You wanna see the monkey dance,|you pay the piper.
1:13:48:See what I'm sayin', Teddy ?|You know how much my monkey's|batteries cost ?
1:13:52:They don't last in the cold.|The cold knocks 'em right out.
1:13:55:I can't dance.|I would if I could.
1:13:58:But, uh, I can't, so--
1:14:00:You got some change, Teddy ?|You got somethin'.|Half a buck. Teddy, yeah.
1:14:04:A quarter.|You got somethin', Teddy.
1:14:08:Can't ya put somethin' in,|Teddy ?
1:14:55:Well, hello, sport.
1:14:57:They call me Brolley.|How can I help you, sir ?
1:15:00:- Just looking.|- Yeah, man.
1:15:03:Well, that's a good one.
1:15:05:There ain't much to see here, but take|your time and have a good look anyway.
1:15:08:Ah, what this ?
1:15:10:Yeah, this is one hell|of a scrip you got here.
1:15:14:Very tricky grind.
1:15:17:Can't imagine you'd see things|too clear without them, you know.
1:15:20:Well, don't worry at all. I'm gonna|get you fixed up in no time flat.
1:15:37:Where's Convex ?
1:15:40:Oh, setting up|his trade show.
1:15:42:- Oh.|- Gotta introduce the spring line.
1:15:45:- What's in the box ?|- Your head.
1:15:50:- Got your head in this box.
1:15:53:- Ah.|- Been busy, Max.
1:15:57:- Been readin' about you in the papers.|- Hmm.
1:16:01:Have you been|to see Bianca O'Blivion ?
1:16:03:- I saw her.|- And she give you any trouble ?
1:16:06:No.
1:16:08:Well, that's good.
1:16:13:Maybe you'd like to visit|somebody else now.
1:16:15:- Is that why you're here ?|- Maybe.
1:16:21:You've been very useful|to us, Max.
1:16:24:- We'd like to keep using you|until you're all gone.
1:16:28:Open up to me.
1:16:41:Got something|I wanna play for you.
1:17:28:See ya in Pittsburgh.
1:17:41:Mommy, look what he did to the wall !
1:17:45:Tracey,|come back here !
1:17:47:- Stay with Mommy.|- I want-- I wanna see it.
1:17:49:You come with me.
1:17:51:Come on.|We're going home now.
1:19:23:Well, you know me.
1:19:26:- Yeah, we know you.|- And I sure know you.
1:19:29:- Every one of you !
1:19:36:We're here to celebrate|the arrival of our spring collection,
1:19:40:the Medici line,
1:19:42:and our theme for this year|is based on two quotes...
1:19:47:from the famous Renaissance statesman|and patron of the arts...
1:19:51:Lorenzo de Medici.
1:19:53:"Love comes in at the eye,"
1:19:55:and "The eye|is the window of the soul."
1:19:57:Now, I think that even Pete...
1:20:01:oughta be able to sell the hell|out of a classy campaign like that.
1:20:16:Oh, God !
1:20:19:- No !
1:20:33:Death to Videodrome !|Long live the new flesh !
1:23:38:I was hoping you'd be back.
1:23:40:I'm here to guide you, Max.
1:23:43:I've learned a lot|since I last saw you.
1:23:46:I've learned that death|is not the end.
1:23:49:I can help you.
1:23:51:I don't know|where I am now.
1:23:55:I'm having trouble...
1:23:58:finding my way around.
1:24:00:That's because you've gone|just about as far as you can|with the way things are.
1:24:05:Videodrome still exists.|It's very big, very complex.
1:24:09:You've hurt them, but you|haven't destroyed them.
1:24:13:To do that, you have to|go on to the next phase.
1:24:16:What phase is that ?
1:24:19:Your body has already|done a lot of changing,
1:24:22:but that's|only the beginning,
1:24:24:the beginning|of the new flesh.
1:24:28:You have to go all the way now.|Total transformation.
1:24:34:Do you think you're ready ?
1:24:38:I guess I am.
1:24:41:How do we do it ?
1:24:43:To become the new flesh,|you first have to kill the old flesh.
1:24:49:But don't be afraid.
1:24:51:Don't be afraid|to let your body die.
1:24:55:Just come to me, Max.
1:24:58:Come to Nicki.
1:25:01:Watch. I'll show you how.
1:25:04:It's easy.
1:25:34:Long live the new flesh.
1:26:26:Long live the new flesh.