Eraserhead: I wanna see it so bad!!

[Private Joker]

Anyone seen this movie?  I heard it's good (in a good movie way, not in a laughable b-movie way) and I want to see it.  Problem is, I heard it isn't on tape.  Anyone know what channels show this movie or if it is on tape anywhere?

[AndyC]

I once saw a bootleg of it that appeared to be copied off of a foreign release. It had Japanese (I think) subtitles.

Anyway, I wouldn't really call Eraserhead a good movie. It's a really weird, and kind of cheesy art film. If it succeeds at anything, it is in capturing a dream on film. You know how your subconscious can throw together a mish-mash of people and images, some pretty weird and disturbing. When you wake up, you say "what the hell?" However, the dream has an internal logic. While you're asleep, you, and the people in your dream take all of the weirdness for granted. Eraserhead is much like this. At least, that's my take on it. I've heard a few different assessments.

[J.R.]

Eraserhead is a weird, weird movie. It's David Lych's oddest, and that's saying something! It's one that goes where it wants, and doesn't stop to explain things if you're not up to speed. It's a unique and challenging movie, and I suggest you see it if you can.

[Trevor the Rat]

the question is who hasn't seen this movie. IFC is always doing specials on David Lynch in which you can find clips and stuff on it. i rented it from my local cult movie video store.

[Trevor the Rat]

check for the even more bizzarre short films by david lynch, "the grandmother" and "alphabet"

[Vermin Boy]

It has been released on tape; it's just out of print. If you scour enough video rental stores, you just might find it. I got too impatient and went with the easier route: I got the bootleg off eBay. Personally, I liked it a lot. It has a lot of the bizarre imagery and inexplicable humor that makes Lynch one of my favorite directors. It's definitely not for all tastes, though.

Also, if you want to see it bad enough to plunk down $40, you can get a DVD straight from the man at http://www.davidlynch.com

[Mofo Rising]

Yeah, it's one of those things.

AndyC may be right in comparing the film to a dream.  Have you ever tried to tell someone about a dream you had?  Or worse, had someone tell you about theirs?  All these things that they think are so important fall like tin on your ears.  It could be one of the most boring things you've ever heard.

But ERASERHEAD is someone's nightmare told very well.  I've been thinking of it as a life lived with all human warmth sucked out of it.  Like how our rituals might look to an alien.

But yeah, watch it if you can find it.  The U.K. has actually had it rereleased on VHS and DVD.  For some stupid reason it hasn't been sold in the U.S. for over 20 years.

But if you like art films, you'll probably like ERASERHEAD.  Or at least respect what it was trying to do.

[mogwai]

i have it on video, it's a uk import and it's a pan & scan deal. bastards.

[Frank Coleman (BENTMEN)]

I paid $75 for the Japanese import laserdisc about 5 years ago -- that's been the only way to get it widescreen.  Don't know about Lynch's DVD as far as that goes, but I'd be incredulous if it were pan & scan.

I definitely believe in directly supporting the artist with $ as much as possible if they do something I like, so I'll plonk down the money at davidlynch.com and get the DVD as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, he's also selling a DVD of short subjects.  Of these, THE GRANDMOTHER is just as weird as ERASERHEAD.  Highly, highly recommended.

Side note -- before we were married, I took my wife on a date to see ERASERHEAD and FREAKS on a double-bill at the Harvard Square Theater many years ago... and she married me anyway!  ;)

best,
FBC

F R A N K  C O L E M A N
Member > BENTMEN
http://www.bentmen.com

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Don't miss MARK OF THE ASTRO-ZOMBIES
The new cult classic by Ted V. Mikels
Starring Tura Satana, Brinke Stevens and Liz Renay
Music by BENTMEN

http://www.tedvmikels.com

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[carl thomas]

I saw it in the 80's, and it was on tape or laserdisk? I don't remember anything about it except the guys haircut.  It must not have been my cup of tea?