VHS Retro Art Round-up: Crawlspace, Prom Night, Blind Fury and more

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Every child of the 80s will remember going to the video store and trying to find a movie to rent. Back before the days of Blu-ray and On Demand, selecting a movie usually meant finding the flick with the coolest box art. Like modern posters, classic VHS art has been lost but thanks to the Internet there are countless reminders of these cool creations. This column will be dedicated to bringing you reminders of a bygone era and a look at how cool some of these movies looked on store shelves.

BERSERKER

Based on an old Norse legend, I am not exactly sure if the creature in BERSERKER is a bear, a monkey, or a wolf. What I do know is that first cover is a blatant rip-off of PINK FLOYD'S THE WALL. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

SILK

If a movie features a wet woman in a bra holding a gun, I will watch it. What is the movie about? A one woman vice squad? Sign me up. I cannot wait for the inevitable remake starring Ronda Rousey (I wish). NOT CURRENTLY available on Blu-ray/DVD.

BLIND FURY

Rutger Hauer is a legend when it comes to action movies. I previously featured my favorite, SPLIT SECOND, but this movie where he plays a blind swordsman is my second favorite. There are just not enough films about sight challenged warriors but maybe Daredevil will reinvigorate the sub-genre. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

PROM NIGHT

Another great 1980s horror movie featuring a rare non-comedic role from Leslie Nielsen. Jamie Lee Curtis is prominent on the second cover thanks to her popularity after HALLOWEEN, but I am partial to the first cover that echoes great exploitation films of the 1970s.  Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

CRAWLSPACE

Even the greatest actors slum it now and then. Klaus Kinski has appeared in horror movies before (NOSFERATU), but his turn in CRAWLSPACE may be one of his weirdest roles. And that is saying something for a guy who was buddies with Werner Herzog. The first cover looks like a Corman film while the second benefits from boobs on the back. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

DEATH DREAM

Bob Clark, the man who brought us BLACK CHRISTMAS and A CHRISTMAS STORY, also helmed this little seen horror film about PTSD and a weird vampire/zombie mash-up plot device. If you can find it, watch it! Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

Feel free to pop us your favorite VHS box art and come back for each future column. You can send your finds or photos of your own VHS tapes to [email protected]