#FBFVideo 1983
It's time for #FBFVideo and we're flashing back to the year 1983. 1983 was an amazing year for VHS and Betamax releases. As more people were able to afford a VCR at the low, low price of $500 and video rental houses stocked up to meet the demand of players and tapes for those who still could not afford a system in their homes, the movies released on home video were varied but plentiful. Here's a small highlight of some of our favs!
Creepshow (June Release)
An American comedy horror anthology filmed by the legend George A. Romero and written by an equal legend Stephen King. It hosts great stories that feature actors such as Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson, Richard Gere, Adrienne Barbeau, and Ed Harris just to name a few. And the make up effects were done by the extremely talented Tom Savini, so you know it’s one to watch! It was originally released by Warner Bros. Media and was the highest grossing horror film for the WB studio in 1982.
Tron (October Release)
There’s something magical about watching out of date technology movies. Am I right? Released on home video in October of 1983, Disney’s science fiction film Tron brought this theatrical box-office financial flop to homes all over the world finding it a new place among technology loving families. It has since found a cult following and throughout the years has inspired numerous designers, writers, and movie makers etc.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (December Release)
Nominated for 8 Academy Awards in 1982 and the highest-grossing film of 1981, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark bursted into homes on VHS, Betamax, LaserDisc, and VideoDisc in 1983. The initial release of VHS had units marked at $39.95! Crazy when you consider if you are lucky enough today you can find a copy in thrift stores for $1 or less. Whether on videotape or on streaming, this film remains one of the best action-adventure films of all times, and while we will just forget that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull exists, we are forever grateful that George Lucas, Spielberg, and Paramount Home Video brought us this historic gem.
Tootsie (December Release)
For a lighter touch than sci-fi or horror movies, the timeless Tootsie is a great throwback to revisit. It’s one of my personal favs! If you have never seen the film it stars Dustin Hoffman, a young Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Bill Murray, and Sydney Pollack (who also directed). As an out of work actor, Dustin Hoffman creates a role of a lifetime playing a woman actress. The movie is warm, charming and even more so on gritty VHS! It even has Doc Hopper, the guy who chases Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Movie, actor Charles Durning.
Blade Runner (December Release)
The original theatrical release of this epic sci-fi film was released on VHS in 1983. While there are many released versions to date, it’s worth taking a look at the original Warner Bros. cut to compare with the other versions. Plus, since Blade Runner is a beautiful look at a dystopian Los Angeles in the far-off future of 2019, lol, it’s worth re-watching over and over. Though remember, if you are watching them on VHS, be kind… rewind.
The Dark Crystal (December Release)
See? Didn’t I mention that 1983 was an amazing release year for movies on tape? It’s like hours of retro happiness bundled into one! Jim Henson’s magical world of The Dark Crystal hit homes in December of 1983 bringing a one-of-a-kind all puppet fantasy into the hearts of so many. If you enjoy the original film, I highly recommend watching the prequel which was released on Netflix in 2019. It really holds up and follows the world of Thra beautifully!
First Blood (December Release)
In 1982 Sylvester Stallone had two movies released in theatres Rocky III and First Blood (aka Rambo: First Blood). At the end of 1983, First Blood bursted into homes across the country on VHS and Betamax thanks to Orion Home Video. “Hey, Adrienne!” Stallone was even brought on as a writer of the film doing an estimate of seven revisions. He made the character of Rambo more sympathetic and helped change the ending, which is only part of what makes him a movie genius.
Mad Max (Unknown Release)
Many of you may recognize the world of Mad Max from it’s more recent theatrical and streaming release of Fury Road (2015), however, it all began with Mad Max which hit theatres in 1979 and hit VCRs around the world in 1983. Mel Gibson brought George Miller’s dystopian action-thriller to a relatable level playing an unhinged policeman. It houses crazy characters, wide landscapes, eccentric vehicles, and all-around badassery like only George Miller can provide.
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (Unknown Release)
This musical comedy will sure lighten up the mood in between watching Mad Max and our next recommendation, Videodrome. Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life is a series of comedic sketches about the meaning of life strung together like only the wonderful brains of the Monty Python group could create. It lights up the funny bone in the original styling of the comedic troupe along with animation done by the incredible Terry Gilliam. I can’t recommend this movie enough. While it was released theatrically in the Spring of 1983, it was released on VHS and Betamax some time later in 1983.
Videodrome (Unknown Release)
Since we started this blog with a horror movie, seems only fitting we bookend it with another, Cronenberg’s Videodrome. Released on VHS by MCA Home Video in 1983, the movie follows Max Renn (played by James Woods) who stumbles on a broadcast signal featuring violence and torture. It was Cronenberg’s first film to be backed by a studio and was a box-office bomb, though it did go on to be considered one of his best and a cult-classic. If you watch it on VHS you’ll be in surreal horror heaven.
'Til next time... watching movies squeezing my Video Cassette Pillow...