Trailer (end):
Shivers (1975)

Extra (end):
David Cronenberg Interview
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T-E-R-R-O-R beyond the power of priest or science to exorcise!

BEING TERRIFIED IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

Going MAD is just the beginning....


A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia, prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress-like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide, the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant, an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one, the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite, and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation, only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id-driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society, or is it only a matter of time until he, too, falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh?

Shivers (filmed as Orgy of the Blood Parasites; alternate titles: The Parasite Murders, They Came from Within, and Frissons for the French Canadian distribution) is a 1975 Canadian science fiction body horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg. Cronenberg won "Best Director" at the 1975 Sitges Film Festival.


The film was released theatrically in the United States by Trans American Films in July 1976.[4]
The film was released on DVD by Image Entertainment on September 16, 1998 and is currently out of print.[5] It was also released in Canada on a French dub-only DVD titled Frissons on April 23, 2002 by Christal Films (from their earlier 1996 VHS release).
Lionsgate has announced the re-release of the film on DVD

Shivers has received positive critical acclaim and has a rating of 84% on critical review site Rotten Tomatoes.[6] One review that put both the film and David Cronenberg on American radar was a respectful one by Roger Ebert, who noted that he expected a dismal exploitation film since "Shivers" was part of a double-bill with the rancid faux-snuff film Snuff, but instead was impressed by a lot of the film--even though it didn't finish strongly--and ended up giving it a 2 and 1/2 star rating.

Release Date: July 1976


Distrib: Transamerican Films