Watch VHS Lives! A Schlockumentary

VHS Lives! A Schlockumentary is a 2018 documentary film that celebrates the VHS format, which revolutionized the home video industry in the 1980s. Directed by Tony Newton, the film features interviews with a who's who of horror and exploitation cinema, including such luminaries as Phil Anselmo (frontman of the metal band Pantera) and Lloyd Kaufman (founder of Troma Entertainment).

The film offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of the most iconic and controversial movies of the era, including Cannibal Holocaust, The Toxic Avenger, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

In addition to interviews with filmmakers, the film also features clips from rare and obscure VHS releases, along with commentary from collectors and enthusiasts who fondly remember the days when video stores were the go-to destination for movie lovers.

Throughout the film, the contributors discuss the unique qualities of VHS as a format – its low fidelity, the decorative packaging, the ability to pause and rewind – and how these attributes contributed to the cult appeal of so many of the films that were released on VHS.

For many horror fans who grew up in the 80s and early 90s, VHS was more than just a medium for watching movies – it was a gateway into the strange and subversive world of underground cinema. VHS Lives! captures this sense of nostalgia and excitement, reminding us of a time when movies weren't just viewed, but collected and curated.

One of the most interesting threads of the documentary is the concept of "video nasties," the term used in the UK to describe a certain kind of violent or sexually explicit film that was banned or censored by the government. Many of the filmmakers featured in the documentary talk about how being labeled a video nasty only increased their notoriety, and how the controversy surrounding these films helped to fuel the VHS boom.

The documentary also explores the decline of VHS as a format, as DVD and streaming became the dominant ways of watching movies. While some collectors still prize VHS copies of rare films, the format has largely been relegated to the dustbin of history.

But for those who were there when VHS was king, VHS Lives! A Schlockumentary is an essential document of a bygone era. By celebrating the trashy, the weird, and the taboo, the film offers a glimpse into a time when cinema was more than just entertainment – it was a lifestyle.

VHS Lives! A Schlockumentary is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes.