Intervision Video Ltd
Intervision Video Ltd. was a British home video company active during the early 1980s. The company became known for distributing a variety of films on VHS and Betamax formats, including low-budget horror films, cult classics, and exploitation films. Their catalog included some controversial titles that later became associated with the “Video Nasties” era in the UK, a term used to describe a period during which certain video releases were criticized for their violent and obscene content.
Key Points about Intervision:
- Catalog: Intervision’s catalog was diverse but leaned heavily towards horror, exploitation, and B-movies. This included titles like “ZOMBIES – DAWN OF THE DEAD” and “Maniac,” which were notorious for their graphic content.
- Video Nasties: Intervision became infamous for being one of the distributors of several films that were caught up in the “Video Nasties” scare. This led to some of their titles being banned or heavily censored in the UK.
- Packaging and Branding: Intervision’s video releases were often recognizable by their distinctive packaging, which contributed to their cult following. They used bold, eye-catching artwork and design.
Link to Alpha Video:
Alpha Video, another video distribution company, had a direct link to Intervision. The connection can be outlined as follows:
- Ownership and Management: Both companies were part of the same corporate group. Alpha Video, known for distributing similar genres of films, either merged with or operated under the same management as Intervision.
- Shared Catalog: There was significant overlap in the titles distributed by Intervision and Alpha Video. Some films were released under both labels, possibly to maximize distribution and reach different segments of the market.
- Market Strategy: The relationship between Intervision and Alpha Video was part of a broader market strategy to dominate the home video market for niche genres. By operating multiple brands, the parent company could cater to a wider audience while maintaining a strong presence in the genre-specific video market.
