It's the weekend and you have been to the local video shop in-search of your next horror binge, you are sitting on the floor in the lounge room, video remote control in one hand and perusing the back of the VHS cover in your other hand. (multiple times) Like for me, I am sure this brings back memories for so many of you, kids that lived through the 80's were lucky enough to have indulged in my opinion the best in home cinema experience.
To me the 'best' isn't about surround sound or HD ultra, its the nostaglia of the local video shop and racing for the new releases, and even that swearing muttered under your breath when the one movie you had been hoping for is all out! It's getting home to find that the person before you hasn't bothered to rewind the tape, its praying to the VHS God that your tape doesn't chew and for me personally the excitement of the Australian Roadshow logo appearing on the screen.
The Australian Roadshow logo said it all - this film was going to be bloody awesome, the only other thing that could make even more awesome is if it had been banned in good old Queensland.
I had become 'attached' to horror from a very early age and vividly remember watching Universal and Hammer Horror films at my nanas house on sleep overs. What was even more exciting for me as a kid was our own horror - 'Australian made' films. There was something relatable, and fascinating, and it was also knowing that a career making films was a possibility.
I have a rather extensive DVD library now, I will never tire of hard formats. There is nothing like owning a hard copy, for a collector like myself there really is no other desirable solution.
Over the past few months I have been building up my Ozploitation horror classics, my most recent purchase being Nightmares (Stage Fright) - an Aussie slash-trash at its finest.
So let's turn back time and check out 4 Aussie horror/action films that you may have forgotten about.
A little girl named Cathy tries to keep her mother from making out with a man while driving one day, and she inadvertently causes her mother's death in the car crash. 16 years later, Cathy has changed her name to Helen and has become a psychotic actress. Things are going fine until horrible things starts to happened with the cast of her new play.
Director John D. Lamond
Writers Colin Eggleston(screenplay)
John D. Lamond (from an original idea by)
John Michael Howson(from an original idea by)
Stars Jenny Neumann, Gary Sweet, Nina Landis
In a rest home for elderly people, a daughter reads her mother's diary. Soon events that are mentioned in the mother's diary begin to happen to the daughter.
Director Tony Williams
Writers Michael Heath(screenplay)
Tony Williams(screenplay)
Stars Jacki Kerin, John Jarratt, Alex Scott
A computer genius is confined to a penthouse after a car accident, with only a nurse to look after him. But the advanced computer systems designed to make his life easier appear to be taking control.
Directors Mark Egerton
Keith Salvat (original director)
Writers Linda Lane(screenplay) Mark Egerton(screenplay)
Denis Whitburn(additional material)
Stars Gary Day, Penny Downie, Brian McDermott
The action moves along quickly in this made-for-television drama about Eve, an ex-terrorist from Germany who is forced to escape to Australia with her teenage daughter Chrissie when she is sought by Riley, a lover from 17 years in the past. In turn, the IRA has sent two members after Riley because he shot an IRA soldier and must pay the consequences. The two IRA opera... Read all
Director Chris Langman
Writers Graham Hartley(screenplay) Keith Leopold(novel "When We Ran")
Stars Carmen Duncan, Michael Aitkens, Shane Briant, Annie Jones
What Australian 80's horror film tugs on your heart strings? We would love to see your Aussie horror collections in the comments below!