The video nasties refers to a list of 39 horror titles that have been released in the UK in between the late 60’s and the early 80’s without any PG rating due to hole in the UK rating system at the time. The problem, however, comes from the nature of these films, which are all really graphic, featuring violence and often scenes like rape, dismemberment, animal kills, cannibalism, etc.
Quickly various organizations (including many religious ones) in the UK denounced those films, which lead to Parliament passing the Video Recordings Act 1984. As a direct consequence, 72 titles were prosecuted. Out of those, only 39 prosecutions were successful and resulted in the immediate ban, and/or the heavy cut of these films, commonly known today as the “39 Video Nasties”.
Nowadays, this list has become quite famous and, as a direct result, these 39 films have gained popularity! Such popularity is however often undeserved because more than half of these 39 films are poorly realized, low-budget rubbish. But amongst them lies a few gems, and maybe ten or so of these films are totally worth watching. For this reason, we have compiled here a list of the best of Video Nasties in order for the reader not to waste his time watching garbage.
10. The House by the Cemetery (1981)
By master director Lucio Fulci, this film is mostly of interest because of the great gore it features.
9. Cannibal Ferox (1981)
This blood brother of cannibal holocaust is very similar to any other cannibal film, so expect your lot of dismembering, animal killing, gruesome murdering, etc.
8. The House on the Edge of the Park (1980)
A great, often forgotten, revenge film by Ruggero Deodate (director of Cannibal Holocaust). The opening scene is unforgettable.
7. The Burning (1981)
A typical slasher from the 80’s, The Burning is famous for its very gory kills. The story is quite basic because the killer is known right from the start, but the film is efficient and captivates the viewer’s attention.
6. The Last House on the Left (1972)
Probably the most disturbing film on the all Video Nasties list, it features some rape scenes that are almost unwatchable. The three villains are also particularly nasty, and the final result impossible to forget.
5. I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
The king of the revenge films!! Also features a famous rape scene, but which is used to build a great story around. The determination of the lead character, perfectly played by Camille Keaton, makes this film a blast.
4. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
One of the first found footage ever released, Cannibal Holocaust has become really notorious in the last decade because of its sex, rape and animal killing rape scenes. It is really one of the greatest horror movies ever made, but also a good one with a meaningful story. It well deserves to be revered as the masterpiece of cannibal cinema. Also noticeable is the superb music by Riz Ortolani.
3. Tenebrae (1982)
Dario Argento’s most graphic film is also one of his best. As in any good giallo, Tenebrae features a killer that you only discover at the end, making the all film extremely suspenseful. The scene in which the killer uses an axe to cut his victim’s arm is an absolute cult scene of horror cinema.
2. Zombie (1979)
Zombie is, far ahead, the most famous of the Italian zombie flicks. As with other films by Fulci, the beauty of it lies in the gory scenes, including a memorable one in which a character has her eye pierced by a splinter. A film which brought Fulci the nickname of “Godfather of Gore”
1. A Bay of Blood (1971)
Directed by horror genius Mario Bava (Black Sunday, Black Sabbath), this film is considered as the one which started the giallo subgenre. Out of the all 39 video nasties, this one is certainly the one that combines better excellent gore and a brilliant story, a highly recommended watch!
