Wizard Video

Wizard Video Logo

Wizard Video was a motion picture distribution company created by B movie veteran Charles Band, who would later go on to found Full Moon Features. They were best known for their VHS releases of Zombie 2, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I Spit on Your Grave. They were also well known for their detailed (and often lurid) box art, especially after their switch to the "big box" format. So popular was the label that Charles Band has begun reissuing titles (starting with 1989's Intruder) under the old Wizard Video banner.

Wizard Video is also known for creating the two Atari 2600 video games The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween under the name Wizard Video Games. However, these games were aimed at the adult market; so, because of its violent content, these games were either banned from stores or hidden behind the counter and only taken out by request. This caused the games to become rare and sales were small, causing the company to stop making video games.

The company also distributed films under the "Force Video" logo.

On February 7, 2013, Charles Band claimed to have rediscovered copies of 36 Wizard Video title boxes, as well as Wizard's video game boxes, in one of his storage warehouses. 32 of the 36 films were re-released as limited editions on a four-titles-per-month basis starting on February 12, with the inner clamshell cases and tapes being new production. The entire supply of the remaining 4 films was discovered to be water damaged and would not be released; the two games will be re-released at a later date.[1]

In 2014, the Wizard Video brand was re-launched as Wizard Studios[2] "to spotlight rising independent filmmakers and their cutting-edge genre pictures"[3] with the first wave of films - Virginia Obscura, Vampie, Villanelle - premiering on Band's Full Moon Features subscription-based streaming service.

List of movies released on video by Wizard Video

List of movies released by Force Video (1982-1983; 1985-1986)

Note: Films with an "FV" code are from the original 1982-1983 era; the "FA" code is from the 1985-1986 revival era.

References

  1. The Wizard Video Collection
  2. http://www.fangoria.com/new/charles-bands-wizard-studios-unveils-first-films/ Fangoria - Charles Band's Wizard Studios Unveils First Films
  3. http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/73285/wizard-studios-announces-first-3-films-vampie-virginia-obscura-and-villanelle Dread Central - Wizard Studios announces first 3 films - Vampie, Virginia Obscura and Villanelle

External links

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