Hello from sunny California! Actually, it's raining. So scratch that. I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I haven't seen hardware since 1992, I think, and I'm in the process of finding a copy on dvd. That was a very pivotal time in my youth, and that movie and it's soundtrack will always hold a small but special meaning for me. I was quite surprised to find anyone else who could actually remember the durn thing, let alone have a site for it!
As soon as I get my copy I'm gonna watch it about four or five times, then I'll have something more substantial to discuss. Right now all I have are dim memories that grow even dimmer with age (who you callin' old!?) so I need them refreshed. Does anyone know if the film ever got nominated for anything?

Click Here to see HARDWARE's awards & nominations.

Welcome to the forum! (It's usually quiet around here, but from time to time it picks up. Feel free to resurrect any old threads.)

Welcome aboard, I'll start by giving you my opening rant.

Under each section, there's a short description which is to give you an idea where to post. News/DevHell is basically for Stanley's upcoming projects and other news.

I'm done. Enjoy your stay.

Oops! Wrong forum! Ok, I'm back on track. Thanx for the lowdown on the awards. I felt sure that it had managed a nod from the academy, but I guess not. Does the film ever get any airplay on basic cable, or anything? I would've noticed, I think, if it had been on sci-fi channel or Spike or something. Is it really that far forgotten?

To my knowledge, Hardware never gets shown on cable. Then again, I really don't watch too much TV anyway. I guess it's too much a tiny cult hit to be shown when bigger money could be made showing Star Trek: Voyager reruns.

Besides, I think it would be impossible to show Hardware on a channel where scenes would need to be cut. Apart from the graphic violence, the best example would be Hardware's sex scene. With Jill's moaning & groaning and Lincoln's running commentary of the couple's bedsport, this would likely be trimmed out completely...

-and this is where the censored version would fail to make any sense. Removing this scene means no explanation as to why the Mark 13 comes back to life, nor do we get any introduction to Lincoln's character.

Hardware was a tough sell to mainstream audiences (screw them, anyway!) and the last thing anyone would want is a watered-down version of this flick.

Hmm... I seem to be ranting. Anyway, that's my two cents' worth!

yeah, I can't recall once hearing the film was going to be broadcast. Shame, I think it would probably be a bigger hit on tv, and maybe dvd sales would benefit. But you're right, chopping the film would make it unwatchable, and probably would do more harm than help.
So the only copies I could find are going for somewhere around $130 or so. Is this typical? I don't mind paying the price, just as long as I'm not missing out on a cheaper source. What if we started a campaign on Encore channel or something, you know, threaten to hunger strike unless they play the film, etc. I would be willing to forego my daily candy bar toward this end...! I can see the headlines now... " SCI-FI GEEKS STAGE PROTEST; M&M MARS STOCK PLUMMETS..."

If you've got some money, do NOT pay $130 for the disc!

This thread talks about that $130 disc.

A better option would be to buy a region-free DVD player ($140-$160) and get a Region 2 disc (going under the title MARK 13) This way, you'd have the advantage of being able to watch DVDs from any country.

www.nicheflix.com is one place that rents discs from all over the world, but you need a region free player! (I have a Pioneer DV-363 that works GREAT!)

ok, totally cool! Thanx a million for steering me in the right direction. you have a very good idea with the region free dvd player. There's a lot of anime and such that I want to watch, and the investment seems worth it. Where, might I ask, is the region 2 disc available? Can it be gotten for less than $130? Is it German, or something? Will the castaways ever get off the island?

Try this link:
http://www.xploitedcinema.com/dvds/dvds.asp?title=1252

(Less than $25, and thanks to Sic for the link!)

You're awesome, dude! Thanx, and also thanx to Sic! Next stop, Fry's Electronics...

HBO did put it out on video stateside, but I doubt they had the airing rights. I vaguely recall it being presented on the Sci-Fi Channel way back when, but I wouldn't vouch for it at the moment.

Yes, I recall seeing Hardware in the video stores on VHS (and where applicable, laserdisc!) - I even rented it once to show to a friend, who didn't like it. (I don't hang around him anymore.)

Ok, just got my copy of the soundtrack. Phew! Talk about a flood of memories! Iggy sounds lamer than I remember... I'd forgotten that was P.I.L. doing the order Of death. This is what I want. This is what I got.

I'd have to say -- that the same thing that's keeping a nice Region 1 release out of our hands (that damned'able "rights"-bermuda-triangle thing) is the same thing keeping it off our movie channels, cable, DirecTv, etc.

But .. if any movie-channel were to play it, I'd say SKiN-- I mean, Cinemax would likely be able to play it through, without any nasty editing ..

And definitely do not pay $130 for a DVD. Highway robbery, to be sure.

DVD Player? You'll wanna take a peek at the Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player [picture]. It does nice, smooth PAL-to-NTSC conversion, like many players don't ... no squeezed picture. And plays DivX. Annndd... you can make it truly region-free, by doing this:

• Open tray
• On remote, press: 7 8 9 OK
• Press: 0
• Close tray

Boom, done. That zero on the end there sets it to region 0. Other numbers will change it to other regions. And did I say it does DivX? Amazon.com, $49.99. Stupid cheap. Can't beat it with a stick ...

Holy Crap! I think I've died and gone to heaven! I'd pretty much given up on seeing the film on cable, it's just too obscure. My buddy and I did an experiment: you can tune in to most basic cable movie channels and see Predator EVERY weekend. try it and tell me I'm wrong.
Thanx a billion for the skinny on the Phillips dvd player, Phoebus! I'm going down to Fry's sometime this week, then I'm going after my copy. I thought perhaps I'd be relegated to watching it on my compooter. That would work, wouldn't it?