This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray release. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line, beginning with a loaded special edition of the notorious McPherson Tape!
The world's first found footage horror movie!
A decade before THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT redefined the horror landscape, there was THE MCPHERSON TAPE. On October 8th, 1983, the McPherson family gathered together to celebrate the 5th birthday of Michelle, the littlest member of their household. Everything was captured on VHS by Michael McPherson and his new camcorder. Including the alien invasion. Shot for $6000 by first-time filmmaker Dean Alioto in 1989, this movie blends the production design of a Jaycees haunted house with a dead serious tone to forge a fun, hypnotic nightmare that upends the concept of reality. Due to a warehouse fire at the original distribution company, THE MCPHERSON TAPE was never legitimately released. AGFA + Bleeding Skull! are proud to present the world home video premiere of this important milestone in shot-on-video horror history, newly preserved from the original 3/4” master tape.
NOTICE! This movie was shot on VHS and edited on tape. Please approach the technical quality of the transfers with empathy.
directed by: Dean Alioto
starring: Tommy Giavocchini, Patrick Kelley, Shirly McCalla, Stacey Shulman, Christine Staples, Laura Tomas, Dean Alioto
1989 / 63 min / 1.33:1 OAR
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.7058825 / 5 from 68 reviews.
The McPherson Tape Blu-ray release is highly praised for its captivating movie experience, exceptional film quality, and stunning artwork. Customers appreciate the unique found footage style and the excellent release quality, making it a must-have for horror enthusiasts.
Review topics: ["work","buy","movie","film","artwork","release","genre","acting","footage","entry","offering","costumes","watch","extras","cut","delight","abductions","horror","characters","transfer","attempt","copy","attacks","fun","authenticity","sov","vibe","witch","slipcover"].
"Wow! The first found footage film is actually really good. Sure it's no Blair Witch but it holds up really well with the video footage and really good acting. A few strange character/plot choices but otherwise, really great hour, with great extras on the disc. Thankyou for rediscovering it"
"This is a really early example of the found-footage alien genre, so it feels more like a home video than a movie. It moves a bit slow, but it's a neat watch if you're interested in how these kinds of horror films started out."
"This was always an obscure movie to get your hands on This movie works best in the found footage format in a used looking low grade print, BUT it's great to finally have it in such as nice presentation !"
"I am finally glad that I gave this one a chance. It's going to be too boring for some, but I like these kinds of films. Great commentary too."
""This is the holy grail for found footage nerds. AGFA and Vinegar Syndrome did an awesome job preserving it from the original 3/4" master tape, so it looks as good as a creepy 80s VHS home movie possibly can. The acting is pure improv and those alien costumes are delightfully goofy, but the tense, claustrophobic vibe still totally holds up. A legendary piece of zero-budget sci-fi horror history. ""
"This is one of the best found footage films, and one of the earliest examples of the genre. There’s a director’s cut, but seeing the original cut is the best way to view the film."
"AGFA’s Blu-ray release of The McPherson Tape seems to have finally unveiled a long-standing myth. For many years, this film has lingered as an urban legend—vaguely recalled from low-quality copies, incorrectly labeled tapes, and the type of "I swear I saw this once on TV" anecdotes that are shared within UFO communities. Witnessing it meticulously restored not only enhances the visual quality; it also revives the film’s original purpose as a remarkable, handcrafted narrative that predates the found-footage phenomenon by almost ten years."
"This is a gift so I cannot review it"
"Happy to own a physical release of one the first found footage films. Transfer is clean, especially for what it is and how it was filmed. Very cool artwork as well!"
"A really interesting, early found footage film."
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