Stephen Thrower

In The Land of Franco

Stephen Thrower examines locations used in Jess Franco movies.

At Last... Total Terror! - The Incredible True Story of 'Axe' and 'Kidnapped Coed

Documentary on the making of the low-budget 1970's drive-in cult classics Axe (1974) and Date with a Kidnapper (1976)

Imagining October

Imagining October explores art and politics in the final years of the Cold War, drawing connections between pre-Perestroika Russia and Thatcherite Britain. The title refers to the 1917 Bolshevik revolution and Sergei Eisenstein’s propaganda film October: Ten Days That Shook the World 1928. The project began during a trip to the Soviet Union sponsored by the British Film Institute in October 1984. Jarman was invited to present The Tempest in Moscow and Baku with fellow filmmaker Sally Potter and film theorist Peter Wollen and asked in return to make a short film for the London Film Festival in November.

Against the Grain

A glimpse at how genre film-focused home video companies have taken the charge in preserving, restoring, and releasing so many works which otherwise might have been lost to time.

Video Nasties - The Definitive Guide - The Final 39

Every Video Nasty from the DPP list of 39 is critiqued and explored, followed by the original trailers.

Video Nasties - The Definitive Guide - The Dropped 33

Every Video Nasty from the DPP list of dropped 33 titles is critiqued and explored, followed by the original trailers.

Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape

A documentary analyzing the furore which so-called "video nasties" caused in Britain during the 1980s.

Video Nasties - The Definitive Guide Part 2 - The Section 3 List A-L

The focus is on the eighty-two Section 3 titles, those advised by the DPP not to be obscene, but still known to have been seized. After a short introduction, each film is discussed in turn by an expert, followed by the film's trailer.

Video Nasties - The Definitive Guide Part 2 - The Section 3 List M-Z

The focus is on the eighty-two Section 3 titles, those advised by the DPP not to be obscene, but still known to have been seized. After a short introduction, each film is discussed in turn by an expert, followed by the film's trailer.

The Sound of Progress

This documentary shows the mindset of the some of the most original and influential artists of the experimental scene (Coil, Current 93, Foetus, Test Dept.). An unprecedented insight into the workings, the methods and the ideas that made these names legendary. Filmed in Hamburg, Amsterdam and London, 1985-1987.

The Ballad of Shirley Collins

One of the most important English singers of 20th century traditional song, Shirley Collins and her sister Dolly stood at the epicentre of the folk music revival from the 1950s through to the 1970’s. Directors Rob Curry and Tim Plester have created a poetic response to the life-and-times of this totemic musical figure. Four years in the making, and co produced by Fifth Column Films and Burning Bridges, The Ballad of Shirley Collins is the fascinating first release from Fire Films - available to you exclusively through the Lush Player. A captivating study of heritage, posterity and the true ancestral melodies of the people, this heartwarming film revolves around Shirley’s tragic loss of her voice and struggle back to the limelight. And ultimately, it suggests that in these turbulent and increasingly untethered times, we may just need Shirley Collins and all she represents more than ever.

The Red Reign

Genre writer Stephen Thrower discusses the film. We find out from the ever-informative Stephen that the film was shot in Munich; that composer Bruno Nicolai taught Ennio Morricone.

Stephen Thrower on Eugenie

Film historian Stephen Thrower discusses the 1970 cult classic Eugenie.

Video Nasties: Draconian Days

The highly anticipated follow-up to their critically acclaimed VIDEO NASTIES: MORAL PANIC, CENSORSHIP & VIDEOTAPE documentary, director Jake West and producer Marc Morris continue uncovering the shocking story of home entertainment post the 1984 Video Recordings Act. A time when Britain plunged into a new Dark Age of the most restrictive censorship, where the horror movie became the bloody eviscerated victim of continuing dread created by self-aggrandizing moral guardians. With passionate and entertaining interviews from the people who lived through it and more jaw dropping archive footage, get ready to reflect and rejoice the passing of a landmark era.

Splatterfest Exhumed

A documentary which covers Splatterfest ’90, the notorious all-night horror festival held at London’s legendary Scala Cinema.

Lucio Fulci Trailer Show

Bonus DVD that came with the Deluxe Edition reprint of Stephen Thrower's book "Beyond Terror" published in the UK by FAB Press. Featuring a re-mastered collection of every known Lucio Fulci movie trailer.

The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan

Before unsung gay NYC exploitation maverick Andy Milligan died of AIDS, he cranked out grindhouse-ready shock and so-bad-it’s-good schlock movies throughout the late 1960s and ’70s. Yet, as captured in this fascinating documentary, his life and on-set persona were messy, complicated, and unforgettable.

The Profumo Affair: Stephen Thrower on "The Perfume of the Lady in Black"

Author Stephen Thrower talks in detail about the Italian 1970s thriller classic "The Perfume of the Lady in Black".

That Will Teach Them to Be Bad

Author Stephen Thrower analyzing the themes and characters of Mario Bava's proto-slasher "A Bay of Blood".

The Rites of Franco

Stephen Thrower offers some background informations and analysis on the film "La maldición de Frankenstein", directed by Jess Franco.

Shock! Horror! The Stylistic Diversity of Mario Bava

A visual appreciation of director Mario Bava's final full-length feature "Shock".