The Video Dead (1987)

Director: Robert Scott

Starring: Rocky Duvall, Sam David McClelland, Roxanna Augesen

A family takes delivery of a new television set, unaware that it is the gateway by which killer zombies enter the world.

From the movie title to the poster to the inexperienced cast and director, I expected a bad B-movie, and I was right. This was bad. In fact, I almost stopped watching after just a few minutes. Maybe I should have. But then again, I suppose it doesn’t really matter, because no doubt I will forget this soon – hopefully.

The film starts with a TV set being delivered to Mr Jordan. The delivery guys tell him the set has been paid for already, and that he just needs to sign for it. That night the TV turns on by itself, and a handful of zombies emerges from the TV, killing Mr Jordan.

It is then revealed the TV set was mistakenly delivered to him, and was supposed to be delivered to the Institute for Studies of the Occult. The house is then sold, with the TV set remaining in the attic. Brother and sister Zoe and Jeff Blair take occupation of the house, getting it ready for the return of their parents, who is out of town and purchased the house without viewing it. When Jeff discovers the TV in the attic, their ordeal begins.

Joshua Daniels – who is familiar with the TV’s history – comes a knocking, and after opposition from Zoe, joins forces with Jeff to stop the zombie apocalypse. The acting from almost the entire cast is very bad. The dialogue is ridiculous. The make-up effects are sub-standard, to say the least. At best this looks like a drama school zombie project. There are some disgusting practical effects. No, not necessarily good, just disgusting, and inventive in a way, I suppose.

‘The Video Dead’ is more comedy than horror and for most parts I believe it to be unintentionally funny, although some moments were obviously intended to serve as comic relief – like the chainsaw wielding zombie bride for instance. Ok, that was funny.

As a whole, I found the film almost unwatchable – mainly due to the bad performances. I actually couldn’t wait for this to end.

Would I watch it again? No.