Video Nasties: Draconian Days

Video Nasties: Draconian Days (2014)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Sequel to VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP & VIDEOTAPE takes a more direct look at some of the people who worked around the law. The documentary takes a quick look at the events covered in the first film as the BBFC tried to list certain movies as being too nasty to be on video shelves. From here we get more details about the kinds of movies that were banned and how an outright war was being raged against horror movies.

The film goes into details about CHILD'S PLAY 3 and how there was an outrage after a now notorious murder, which put that film in the spotlight. We learn how board members wanted video stores to burn their video nasties and why CHILD'S PLAY 3, of all movies, ended up causing such a storm. This film also goes into greater detail about how fans tried to work around the censorship by trading and importing bootlegs through various mail services. Finally, the film manages to show how the doors finally broke open and horror and porn were allowed to be shown.

VIDEO NASTIES: DRACONIAN DAYS will certainly appeal to fans of the genre. I think those in Britian will enjoy re-living through this rather crazy period where other fans, such as Americans, will just scratch their heads wondering how the entire video nasty days got so out of control.

Saw this at Frightfest Glasgow, and one of the dudes responsible for Frightfest makes an appearance in this movie.

I found this to be informative and interesting. Also, bat sh*t crazy. I mean, they are just movies for Christ and the holy ghosts sake!

I knew that the US has some stupid rating-rules, but I did not know that was also the case in the UK. Now I know.

It just hurts me to see some of the stuff in here. These supporters of strict ratings, I mean, come on, those must be some of the most boring people alive. Find something else to care about!

Horror fans were arrested and had their "forbidden" movies confiscated in raids. It's just insane. Weren't there murderers and rapists out there that the police should have focused on?

Sorry, haha, I'm forgetting to review this, but you see, strict ratings is a pet peeve of mine.

Anyhow! Video Nasties Draconian Days could have been a tad shorter, and maybe a little tighter directed, but it is still a good time. It's a nice look into the past, and into the underground community of forbidden movies! Haha. And both interesting and frustrating to hear some of the views presented here. (I'm looking at you strict, boring, Christian censor-people) If you like horror and documentaries this is a safe one to check out.

The -not strictly necessary, but still very welcome- sequel to Jake West's 2010 Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship and Videotape. This one's a bit more detailed than the first film's overview, with in- depth interviews with some of the people who were arrested for possessing, copying and sometimes dealing the films on the banned list. As well as some of the people responsible for making the films included on the banned list and organising the festivals where they were screened.

For Brit film fans of a certain type and age, there's some nostalgia gold in this.

Thank golly we would never again have to suffer under a Tory government who would try and impose their morally superior control over the media us delicate plebeian ingrates can enjoy. All that dangerous, unregulated 'esoteric content' is out there for us to enjoy, unfiltered and free to view anonymously without anyone monitoring our choices.

Eh? What's that now? Oh.

So, yeah, buy a copy, it's cracking good stuff.