The Nasty Cast: A Video Nasties Podcast
The Nasty Cast is a podcast about the 1980s U.K. “Video Nasty” panic and its lasting impact on British culture and film censorship. It explores the formation and evolution of the BBFC, the campaigners on both sides, and the legal changes that shaped what audiences could watch. Each episode also examines the notorious films themselves to ask which were misunderstood gems and which were best forgotten. The show is part of the Film Stories Podcast Network.
Episodes
The Gory Details - Bonus Episode 3 - Laurence R. Harvey Interview
Welcome back to The Gory Details, our occasional series of bonus episodes!We chat about his early career, his thoughts on censorship, the controversy they surrounded this film, and working with original Human Centipede star Dieter Laser on the 3rd film.Enjoy!Content Warning: Due to the nature of the material being discussed, some listeners may find some content may be offensiveHost/Editor: Mark Mc
Episode 10 - The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)
Welcome back to The Nasty CastWe're back with new co-host Emma Arneil to discuss Tom Six's controversial sequel The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence).This follow-up to his cult hit original turns the dial up to 11 and beyond, and faced censorship problems around the world, including of the UK, where it was initially refused a rating by the BBFC, before eventually being released with 2m 37s
The Gory Details - Bonus Episode 2 - Dr Pete Turner Interview
Welcome back to The Gory Details, our occasional series of bonus episodes!In this second episode we chat with Dr Pete Turner, Lecturer in Film and Digital Media Production at Oxford Brookes University, and discuss his research and resulting book on the underage viewing habits of kids growing up in the 80s, as well as his own love of horror.His book, "Unsuitable Film and Video Audiences: Underage V
Episode 9 - The Evil Dead
Welcome back to The Nasty CastOn this episode we're joined by psychotherapist Katie Evans to discuss what was possibly the most high profile Nasty - Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead.Despite being passed - with cuts - by the BBFC, the film was still dragged through the courts, and wouldn't see an uncut UK release until 2001.Content Warning: Due to the nature of the material being discussed, some listeners
Episode 8 - I Spit On Your Grave
Welcome back to The Nasty CastOn this episode we're joined by guest Emma Arneil to discuss Meir Zarchi's notorious rape-revenge drama I Spit On Your Grave.Inspired by true-life events witnessed by Zarchi, I Spit On Your Grave was immediately controversial around the world.While there has been some re-appraisal in the years since its release, the film is still cut in the UK, and still banned in oth
Episode 7 - Child's Play 3
Welcome back to The Nasty CastOn this episode we're joined by guest Rob Yeomans to discuss a controversial non-Nasty, Child's Play 3. This unassuming horror sequel was caught up in a media frenzy following the horrific murder of a British toddler by two school boys. Despite having no connection in any way to what happened, British tabloids and campaigners laid the blame squarely on the film, leadi
Episode 6 - The Funhouse
On this episode we're taking a look at Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse.From the director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this is a VERY tame horror that really didn't deserve the 'Video Nasties' label.Was it all down to a case of mistaken identity?Content Warning: Due to the nature of the material being discussed, some listeners may find some content may be offensiveHost/Editor: Mark McManusCo-Host: M
The Gory Details - Bonus Episode 1 - BBFC Interview
Welcome The Gory Details, our occasional series of bonus episodes!In this first episode we chat with David Austin, the Chief Executive of the BBFC. David has been with the BBFC 2003, when he joined as an examiner, before rising through the ranks before taking on his current roll in 2016.We spoke about his background before the BBFC, and the work that the organisation does. Enjoy!Content Warning: D
Episode 5 - Cannibal Holocaust
Welcome back to The Nasty CastAfter our 4-part weekly introductory episodes, we're now moving to monthly releases as dive into the nasties themselves. And we're kicking off with perhaps one of the most notorious - Cannibal Holocaust.The film is as groundbreaking as it is infamous, featuring perhaps the first use of the 'found footage' gimmick, extreme fake gore, and even more extreme real animal c
Episode 4 - They Fought The Law, And The Law Won
In the early 1980s a battle began over the nation's viewing. The home video market was booming, and the unsatiable demand was met by a sudden influx of cheap, often explicit and violent films. The relentless press campaign against nasties started to have an effect, with police seizures and prosecutions increasing, while politicians on all sides worked to pass the Video Recordings Bill into law, wh
Episode 3 - The Mary Whitehouse Experience
**The original upload of this episode was corrupted. This has now been fixed**In the early 1980s a battle began over the nation's viewing. The home video market was booming, and the unsatiable demand was met by a sudden influx of cheap, often explicit and violent films. Campaigners and the press soon stepped up to try and stop the invasion of filth into our living rooms, but did they just end up m
Episode 2 - In The Realm Of The Censors
Since its creation the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has functioned as one of the most influential cultural gatekeepers in the United Kingdom, playing a central role in defining the moral boundaries of British screen culture.In Episode 2 of The Nasty Cast we take a look at the origins of the Board and the challenge's it's faced adapting to a changing society.Content Warning: Due to t
Episode 1 - Welcome to the Nasty Cast
Welcome to The Nasty Cast.In the early 1980s, horror, violence and exploitation leapt off the cinema screen and into the home, triggering moral outrage and cultural meltdown, as the UK film industry, press, politicians and campaigners battled for control of the nation’s viewing. Decades later, the legacy is a still ongoing discussion about the power, influence and danger of films.In this first epi
