Archive notes
SS Experiment Camp Go Video Pre Cert
The UK pre-certification VHS release of “SS Experiment Camp” by Go Video is another notable entry in the history of the “video nasties” era. Here are some details about this specific release:
- Film Background:
- “SS Experiment Camp” (original Italian title: “Lager SSadis Kastrat Kommandantur”) is a 1976 Nazi exploitation (Nazisploitation) film directed by Sergio Garrone.
- The film, set during World War II, depicts brutal experiments conducted in a Nazi concentration camp. Its graphic content and controversial themes have made it a subject of significant censorship and criticism.
- Pre-Cert Era and Go Video:
- The pre-certification era in the UK, lasting until the enactment of the Video Recordings Act 1984, allowed films to be released on VHS without formal classification or censorship.
- Go Video was a distributor known for releasing provocative and controversial films during this period, and their release of “SS Experiment Camp” is one of their most infamous.
- Video Nasties List:
- “SS Experiment Camp” was one of the 72 films listed as “video nasties” by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the early 1980s.
- The film was prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act and was banned in the UK. It remained banned for many years and was only released with heavy cuts much later.
- Cover Art and Packaging:
- The cover art for the Go Video release of “SS Experiment Camp” was particularly lurid and sensational, featuring provocative imagery intended to attract attention. This was common practice for video releases in the pre-cert era, where packaging played a crucial role in marketing.
- The Go Video cover likely featured graphic imagery and bold text, which contributed to its notoriety and collectible status.
- Collectibility and Legacy:
- Like many pre-certification tapes, the Go Video release of “SS Experiment Camp” is now a collector’s item. Its association with the video nasties moral panic and its rarity make it highly sought after among collectors of vintage VHS tapes.
- The historical context and the role it played in the video nasties controversy add to its significance in the history of home video.
- Censorship and Re-releases:
- Following the Video Recordings Act 1984, many films from the video nasties list, including “SS Experiment Camp,” faced bans and severe cuts.
- The film was eventually released in the UK with significant cuts. It has since been made available in a more complete form, but its initial pre-cert release remains a key point of interest for collectors and historians.
In summary, the pre-cert VHS release of “SS Experiment Camp” by Go Video is a significant piece of home video history. Its connection to the video nasties era, controversial content, distinctive packaging, and subsequent banning and censorship make it a notable and collectible item.
