The Looming Piracy Apocalypse

Having reviewed Universal's budget DVD release of She Wolf Of London, I indicated that there's very little horror in it. That isn't strictly true, as the post-credits sequence for She Wolf (and this seems to have been burnt directly onto the transfer of the film itself rather than 'slipstreamed' after it) features FACT's red-eyed 'forger from hell', along with that amusing soundtrack which promises that you are pretty much consigning your aged granny to eternal damnation if you purchase pirate copies of films.

I can't help but feel that in the history of over-the-top propaganda, the demonic forger may eventually overtake Reefer Madness as the ripest example of devaluing a valid argument with absurd non-facts and scare tactics. It's amusing exaggeration aside, I also find offensive the adoption of the 'terrorist-related' canard which Western governments are cynically using to line their own pockets and fast-track legislation that diminishes the rights of their citizens.

So, Universal, well done on a huge contribution to screen horror since the 1930s, and best of luck with your budget releases of your formidable horror archive - there's some fantastic stuff in there.

But stick to she-wolves and werewolves and stop crying wolf - or who will listen when you actually get some real 'facts' on your side?

“The pirates are out to get you…
Don’t let them brand you with their mark.
Piracy funds organized crime and will destroy our film and video industry.
Piracy costs jobs and will destroy our music and publishing industry.
Piracy funds terrorism and will destroy our development and your future enjoyment.
Don’t touch the hot stuff.
Cool is copyright.
Copyright is a matter of fact.
Don’t let the pirates burn a hole in your pocket.”