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VIDEO NASTIES
THE HISTORY: part 1
The Lead Up To D Day: 1982-1984
MAY 1982: British newspapers have
picked up on the Video boom (Videos at this time do not have to go through the
BBFC (British Board of Film Censors) like Cinema releases) and thus the fear for
what our children may see with headlines like "How High Street Horror Is
Invading The Home".
The word 'Nasties', to describe violent and graphic
films, enters the public arena.
"SS EXPERIMENT CAMP", "I
SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE" and "DRILLER KILLER"
are some of the most frequent titles mentioned.
The DPP (Director of Public
Prosecutions) says that Videos are not subject to 'The Obscene Publications Act.
AUG
1982: After pressure from the Police, following the many newspaper headlines
and scare stories, the DPP does a U turn and decides that the Distributors of
'Nasties' can be prosecuted under The Obscene Publications Act.
Five titles
are mentioned for possible prosecution; "SS EXPERIMENT
CAMP", "DRILLER KILLER", "DEATH TRAP", "I SPIT
ON YOUR GRAVE" AND "CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST".
No date for the proceedings is set.
Distributors come under fire. Some have copies of various 'Nasties' seized. Some Distributors volunteer to stop releasing such films and hand over their master tapes.
OCT 1982: The Distributors organisation BVA (British Videogram Association) and the BBFC (British Board of Film Censors) agree to set up a voluntary code of practice.
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JAN 1983: The BBFC and the BVA
issue amendments to the British Cinema classifications. They are now;
'U'
(Universal), 'PG' (under 15's accompanied by an adult), '15', '18' and '18R' (for
sale only in licensed Sex Shops).
FEB 1983: 'Palace Pictures' unleash the classic "THE EVIL DEAD" with a joint Video and Cinema release in a BBFC approved version missing roughly 37 seconds.
MAR 1983: The BBFC and the BVA release their report. The 'Videograms Standards Council' is set up
APR 1983: ALL Video retailers MUST register themselves as part of the new voluntary code of classification. Those that do not sign up will have tape deliveries withheld. The BVA announces there will be "no future" for unregistered retailers.
It is announced that classification will start right away, with Videos being classified using the new Cinema ratings, that must be displayed clearly on their covers.
The Press and 'watchdog' organisation
NVLA (National Viewers and Listeners Association), headed by the infamous Mary
'everything I don't approve of should be burnt' Whitehouse, continue with their
hysterical scare stories on the 'Nasties'. Soon films are being blamed for every
evil under the sun.
The phrase 'the movie made me do it' becomes the defense
of choice for criminals everywhere.
JUNE 1983: Tabloid trash
rag "The Daily Mail" unleashes a rabid attack on the 'Nasties' and prints
the DPP list of the 52 'Most Wanted' titles of evil.
The list includes many
fully uncut movies for sure, but also some BBFC censored and approved Cinema versions
(like "THE EVIL DEAD" and "HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY").
JULY 1983: The witch-hunt continues. A Man who killed another Man after tying him up in a wood blames his act on watching Lucio Fulci's "ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS"!
The evil that is the NVLA and that figure of much silliness Mary Whitehouse condemns any voluntary code without Government legislation.
SEPT1983: Soon even non-'Nasties' are under fire. A drink and drug fueled stabbing of a Man is blamed on the attackers watching "THE WARRIORS".
NOV
1983: The Government caves in and has indeed already started (via a private
Bill, but with full Government support) to make the VRB (Video Recordings Bill)
Law.
As the Bill goes for it's second reading the Police show MP's (Members
of Parliament) a 20 minute 'Best of' video of all the juicy bits from many of
the most infamous 'Nasties'.
During this screening "MP's and hardened
Policemen were physically ill" says the insipid "Daily Mail".
The skies are darkening…………………
(Thanks to John Martin and his excellent "The Seduction of the Gullible" book for invaluable info)