201 - Narrow Margin / The "Human" Factor / Killpoint
Added 2024-10-29 07:00:02 +0000 UTCOn the Season 2 premiere of The Video Archives Podcast, Quentin & Roger catch their train -- but only by a Narrow Margin. Once comfortably in their cabin, they'll chat about where Gene Hackman and Anne Archer were in their careers, the gender role dynamics of the characters, and how their initial viewing of this movie influenced the future of film forever. Remember, folks: between the viewer and a film there is only ... a Narrow Margin.
Then, Quentin and Roger continue the conversation with two more tapes pulled from the shelves of Video Archives. Next up is The "Human" Factor. Quentin and Roger chat about the important place this revengeamatic sits in the genre, a brief lesson on director Edward Dmytryk, and discuss the show stopping last ten minutes that need to be seen to be believed. Lastly, the guys head on over to Riverside, where the street violence is so out of control that we've no doubt reached the Killpoint. Featuring actors such as Leo Fong, Richard Roundtree, Cameron Mitchell, and Stack Pierce — you know this movie has Video Archives written all over it!
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Comments
(Spawn of the) SLITHIS 😊 1978 Its one of the three in episode 10 of season 1. Enjoy 🤗
A I
2025-07-22 22:39:26 +0000 UTCA *little* bit late for this thread but I’d only just seen “Human” Factor- did not the foot chase scene with all its foley work and its George Kennedy remind you of the “Space picture editing scene” from Albert Brooks’ Modern Romance’? https://youtu.be/5Pq92Xs9EjE?si=EQbe9HLm-TFGRkxG
Steven Casey
2025-04-19 12:22:30 +0000 UTCSuper excited to be in on this
Jonny Dice
2024-12-19 01:08:09 +0000 UTCGuys I just joined because I heard your episode on JRE , very powerful stuff, Roger, much respect and love to you , Sir!
Michael Madonna
2024-12-13 15:40:08 +0000 UTCA strong trio for the opening episode! Killpoint was surprisingly good. Almost like the ”action answer” to Death Promise (1977) (if one regards that as a pure martial arts flick).
David Oscarsson
2024-12-07 17:20:39 +0000 UTCGreat start for season 2:-)
Christian Koch
2024-11-28 22:55:33 +0000 UTCAnyone else think that KILLPOINT had a little nod to MANHUNTER and the other Thomas Harris Hannibal Lector novels with that cop named "Crawford"?
Jason Seislove
2024-11-22 06:34:59 +0000 UTCThe print of Human Factor on Amazon is bad. Through Shout Factory TV sub. I tried to watch it. It was pretty bad. Still was fun to listen to them talk about it.
Clay McMullen
2024-11-13 23:37:26 +0000 UTCMy favorite line is, "I'm 60. I'm not the age of those fucking people."
Chris Baccus
2024-11-10 17:31:55 +0000 UTCIn Spain, where I come from, "Narrow margin" was TESTIGO ACCIDENTAL, "The "human" factor was VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO.... And "killpoint" kept its name.
Gabriel González Sánchez
2024-11-08 11:52:22 +0000 UTCThat conversation happened in Aftershow 201.5.
Video Archives Podcast
2024-11-07 23:21:50 +0000 UTCCan anyone tell me when they speak about Bruce Willis’s new films? I seem to have missed it the first time around, and now cannot seem to find the time code…
Ross
2024-11-07 21:56:45 +0000 UTCWelp I had to sign up for this Ride You cats hooked me in the First Season so I'm on Board ! It's a Daunting task to build a Damn VHS Collection 🤯 Always on Film !
Ghost Wolf 🐺
2024-11-07 20:15:57 +0000 UTCTHE "HUMAN" FACTOR" was mentioned on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast this summer with Bret telling how he got a hand job whilst watching it in the theatre. Remember this is the same guy who doesn’t like people eating in the cinema?! I love his show but know who I’d rather have sitting behind me. 😂
Alan Hostick
2024-11-07 14:49:25 +0000 UTCWatched The Amsterdam Kill. It’s fun to see Mitchum in an action role, and in a HK actioner no less. It’s a fun movie, if too convoluted for its own good. Has great location value, and a nice down and dirty feel. The violence gets pretty rough. It takes a while to accept George Cheung as an amiable good guy, after his evil and ‘explosive’ turn in Rambo II!
Paul Rowlands
2024-11-06 21:40:52 +0000 UTCI am so happy that someone is recognizing Narrow Margin. One of my favorite Gene Hackman performances. Underrated flick and performances. Glad it’s getting its due.
Armand Spoto
2024-11-05 23:05:48 +0000 UTCCheers, much appreciated, Fabian - always a last resort!
Rich Johnson
2024-11-05 15:11:06 +0000 UTCIts on youtube
Fabian Romero Barba
2024-11-05 14:34:50 +0000 UTCI love that more get to know about Human factor and my favorite, Killpoint. Probably the best 80's Cameron Mitchell movies alongside "Kill squad" and "Low blow".
Mattias
2024-11-05 09:43:26 +0000 UTCTake all my money right away 💰💵💸
Fabian Romero Barba
2024-11-04 23:59:51 +0000 UTCWonderful S2 opener. I REALLY need to track down THE "HUMAN" FACTOR - TVA only proving (time and time again) how many films can ONLY still be seen on VHS or still cost an arm and a leg on DVD. Streaming an absolute last resort. Still holding out for the hope THE GREY FOX (1982) is viewed this season.
Rich Johnson
2024-11-04 19:20:03 +0000 UTCI’ve watched the otto preminger by mistake and it was a really good spy movie. I’m glad I’ve made this mistake.
bobby7
2024-11-04 18:19:09 +0000 UTCI reckon you could set up an account for them and send them the login info
Chris Andrews
2024-11-04 17:02:46 +0000 UTCAmazon Prime lists Mario Kassar as the director of Narrow Margin. Wrong.
David Rozycki
2024-11-04 02:06:25 +0000 UTCUnfortunately Patreon doesn’t support gift subscriptions, but thank you for loving the show enough to want to gift it to a friend!
Video Archives Podcast
2024-11-04 01:16:37 +0000 UTCIs there a way I can give someone a gift subscription? It’s such a fun podcast and I’d love to give it to a friend who’s a huge movie fan.
Andrew Meyer
2024-11-04 01:15:19 +0000 UTCHow about Season 1?
David Rozycki
2024-11-03 05:21:27 +0000 UTCThat would be great! I look forward to it- and thanks for all the great entertainment you provide :)
Bright Mutant
2024-11-03 03:36:57 +0000 UTCI'll post some pics in the near future then! I've mostly just covered the main two rooms but there's a lot in there. I'm hoping to do a full tour in the future. - gala
Video Archives Podcast
2024-11-03 03:36:15 +0000 UTCThank you for the reply, Gala! I don’t have social media but if you happen to post it here I will gladly consume it :) Thanks
Bright Mutant
2024-11-03 03:32:41 +0000 UTCHave you checked out our instagram (videoarchivespod)? I've done a bit of photography in the Archives and posted it there, but I'd be happy to repost some of the pictures on here! - gala
Video Archives Podcast
2024-11-03 03:31:30 +0000 UTCI’m so happy the three of you are back in action. What a joy it is to listen. One request: I’d love to see more photos of Quentin’s VHS room—the aisles, the titles, any memorabilia or paraphernalia at all. It’s always a treat
Bright Mutant
2024-11-03 03:17:37 +0000 UTCRe-listening: Roger's memory of the de-glove handcuff escape in his screenplay reminded me that Stephen King's "Gerald's Game" came out in 1992, so maybe that was an idea in the air of those earliest-90s years.
Andrew Hageman
2024-11-02 23:57:41 +0000 UTCSorry absolutely off topic, was wondering if movies like Walter Hill directed The Warriors and Repo Man ( Alex Cox ) are movies that the 3 of you were ever view for a discussion. My favorite podcast ever, really, really Happy your back!
Airsick Grove
2024-11-02 23:39:33 +0000 UTCGreat novelization too
Timothy McGroarty
2024-11-02 21:55:09 +0000 UTCI rewatched The “Human” Factor. Totally did not catch the first time around that the computers name is 9/11 and they’re running tests for 9/11. -gala
Video Archives Podcast
2024-11-02 04:59:12 +0000 UTCsaw mikes murder, liked it. another fave by him is china syndrome
Pete
2024-11-02 01:06:39 +0000 UTCI got Sept 30, 1955 on Blu-ray a few months ago and I really liked it. Another movie from the same director, James Bridges, that is worth searching for is Mike's Murder with Debra Winger. That would actually be a good film for the VA gang to discuss.
Andrew Lapointe
2024-11-02 00:33:54 +0000 UTCObviously I’ll be adding and revising as the season continues.
Paul Rowlands
2024-11-01 13:13:25 +0000 UTCThat’s a fantastic resource, thanks, Paul! Huge appreciation for updating and organizing all the titles mentioned in Season 2—it’s no small feat. This list is a gem for any fan eager to explore the films from The Video Archives Podcast. Giving it a bump so more fans can join the journey! https://boxd.it/zXOka
Daniel Borg
2024-11-01 12:59:58 +0000 UTCAftershock is an odd film. Because despite the actors like Saxon, Mitchum, Richard Lynch, the co-writer/kinda costar is Michael Standing, who's the guy who blows the bloody doors off in the Italian Job (with Raf Vallone, no less). What happened was Standing, a jobbing actor in UK TV and films in the 60s/70s, the work dries up in the late 70s, he moved to the US, married Mickey Spillane's ex and Aftershock was basically his attempt to restart his career in America. He looks like a Brundlefly of Chalk and Cheese-era Michael Crawford and Hardy Kruger.
George White
2024-11-01 11:45:05 +0000 UTCI watched KILL POINT with two close friends and we enjoyed it immensely. We especially got a real kick out of the Captain Skidmore character! I hope you guys review LOW BLOW. I look forward to seeing another film with Leo Fong, Cameron Mitchell, and Stacks Pierce!
Andrew Lapointe
2024-11-01 05:15:31 +0000 UTCGreat episode.. 🦻Just wanted to mention “40 guns” and “Planet of the vampires” as grade A Barry Sullivan contenders..
Adam Buckingham Rea
2024-11-01 04:54:30 +0000 UTCWatching KillPoint… it’s got a lot going on.
Eric Stone
2024-11-01 00:28:56 +0000 UTCPaul Rowlands https://boxd.it/zXOka
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-31 16:18:09 +0000 UTCPaul Rowlands https://boxd.it/zXOka
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-31 15:56:05 +0000 UTCAhhhhh
Chris Bumbray
2024-10-31 14:37:53 +0000 UTCHey, I live in Japan too!
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-31 13:26:40 +0000 UTCThe other one was directed by Otto Preminger.
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-31 13:26:24 +0000 UTCI revisited Narrow Margin after watching this. One of the only action movies where the hero wears glasses.
Chris Bumbray
2024-10-31 12:37:56 +0000 UTCHere’s a weird factoid: John huston’s son Danny, the famous character actor, actually shows up in the “Human” Factor as George Kennedy’s son. The Huston’s must have been living in Rome at the time.
Chris Bumbray
2024-10-31 12:36:45 +0000 UTCThank you for this episode, the choice of films, the enthusiasm, the critical relevance, with humor and general good humor, congratulations to your trio and to the technique 👏 I’m looking forward to the upcoming season ❤️🎬 Yours from Japan 👋
Emmanuel Girard
2024-10-31 07:21:39 +0000 UTCTry this link. https://youtu.be/4SyD6B1WPLE?si=QCmMrygWdWa-BQEq
Paul Anthony Stakelin
2024-10-31 02:19:29 +0000 UTCGala said the Black Belt Magazine post was best. That is the stream I just finished and it was a great transfer. FWIW I always do the opposite like when I was younger and read every review before seeing a picture. I did that all thru the first seasons selections.
Paul Anthony Stakelin
2024-10-31 02:09:49 +0000 UTCJust finished watching KILLPOINT ( Thanks for the YouTube location Gala! ). I enjoyed it the most of the three. Great production values for such a low budget project. Moves quick and is effective on all levels.
Paul Anthony Stakelin
2024-10-31 02:03:52 +0000 UTCLast time I watched Narrow Margin was the first week it was available to rent on VHS! I don't think we realized how spoilt we were back then for these big budget thrillers, super fun to revisit!
Nath J
2024-10-31 01:43:06 +0000 UTCFYI the stream of THE "HUMAN" FACTOR" on Tubi looks like a VHS transfer for those who want to stream it.
Paul Anthony Stakelin
2024-10-30 22:11:16 +0000 UTCAwesome episode for the return! When it comes to ZAZ productions in the 1980s there's so much attention paid to how they reframed Leslie Nielsen. The "Human" Factor makes a robust case for what George Kennedy brought to the Naked Gun films by getting even more dramatically reframed for the comedy role.
Andrew Hageman
2024-10-30 21:50:23 +0000 UTC“Most guys go flaccid in the end.” Thanks for that, Roger. I’m looking forward to the end. 😆🤣
Scott Hicks
2024-10-30 20:35:19 +0000 UTCIf you have Plex it’s on their free streaming service in HD, I believe I watched a great copy on Prime earlier this year it was super fun
Gonzi Merchan
2024-10-30 18:37:45 +0000 UTCThe other one by Otto Preminger is good too, how can you not like a Nicol Williamson and Iman team up!
Gonzi Merchan
2024-10-30 18:32:42 +0000 UTCWhat’s your Letterboxd?
Britt
2024-10-30 16:27:31 +0000 UTCRight, good point! Soundtrack should be one of the categories in the rankings at the end!
Damion Matthews
2024-10-30 14:51:02 +0000 UTCthat would be awesome! i just found out that while filming taxi driver, martin scorsese captured footage of some chaos at a screening of coonskin and he gave it to ralph bakshi! crazy
Pete
2024-10-30 14:03:18 +0000 UTCI am kinda surprised no one mentioned that Morricone did the score to THE "HUMAN" FACTOR. Looking forward to the remainder of the season.
Paul Anthony Stakelin
2024-10-30 13:33:11 +0000 UTCThanks !
Stéphane Richard
2024-10-30 09:08:23 +0000 UTCI really wish Paramount+ would do a second season of "THE OFFER," which would depict producer Albert S. Ruddy making COONSKIN at the studio, them balking, and then, after all the grief of keeping the mob at bay during THE GODFATHER, having to go groveling back to one of the bigger mob families running Bryanston to get the film released!
Marc Heuck
2024-10-30 09:07:41 +0000 UTCLet us not forget that USA Video, who created the Sybil Danning "Adventure Video" brand, ultimately morphed into Live Entertainment, who handled NARROW MARGIN and produced RESERVOIR DOGS. If you wanna really blow your mind, Vestron, who released the first VHS of KILLPOINT, got absorbed by Live Entertainment too! So yes, this trio is very spiritually appropriate.
Marc Heuck
2024-10-30 08:39:50 +0000 UTCTrain Fiction
Ken SGV
2024-10-30 05:56:48 +0000 UTCGlad to know it's hitting on those good speakers -JR
Josh Richmond
2024-10-30 04:46:25 +0000 UTCSo glad the show is back! I listen to many film podcasts, but this one is, by far, the biggest and the best! Happy to join the Patreon to support this magnificent content!
Jason Jones
2024-10-30 02:47:58 +0000 UTCOh, very cool.
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-30 01:21:56 +0000 UTCI second that emotion. Please Roger!
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-30 01:21:31 +0000 UTCI’m making a list!
Paul Rowlands
2024-10-30 01:21:08 +0000 UTCPeter Hyams’ Outland alone makes him a great filmmaker.
Ski Milius
2024-10-30 00:58:25 +0000 UTCI’m floored, thrilled, and feeling like a kid who’s just found an endless stash of quarters for the arcade! Your voices, your laughs, and the way you bring these films to life feel like catching up with the best of friends. Listening to you guys takes me straight back to my video-renting days at our local Esso gas station in Vallentuna, Sweden — complete with its classic wavy roof! Back then, my heroes were Chuck Norris and Rutger Hauer, but we rented just about anything that looked like it packed a punch. This cinematic nostalgia has me fired up to dive into my own creative projects — and to uncover hidden gems I missed before, guided by each episode like a map to buried treasures. Roger and Quentin, your podcast is a time capsule of wonderment, and with Season 2 kicking off, you’ve given us the gift of a killer autumn and winter lineup — a real double-feature season. And a special nod to Gala, who brings such a unique perspective that makes this journey even richer, and a shoutout to Josh, who makes each episode sound flawless (I’m listening on some great desktop speakers). Here’s to a season of discovering hidden gems and rewinding the greats — all thanks to you.
Daniel Borg
2024-10-29 20:31:35 +0000 UTCI knew when I saw the 44 minutes on apple podcast with 3 films listed that there was no way and I was gonna have to spend my money. 😂 You got me and listening to Tarantino and Avery’s talk movies is well worth it. 👍🏼
Brandon Lee
2024-10-29 20:01:19 +0000 UTCThere's a decent one on Youtube
Christian Font
2024-10-29 19:39:45 +0000 UTCWhat is a link for the best Letterbox list with all the movies mentioned in the podcast even in passing in one sentence? Thanks.
David Rozycki
2024-10-29 19:39:28 +0000 UTCone film im really lookin fwd to hearing you guys discuss is sept 30, 1955. i had watched it during season 1 and wondered if quentin was a fan of it. then he actually brought it up not long after. weird!
Pete
2024-10-29 18:34:04 +0000 UTCHi! You know where I can watch “KILLPOINT”? I like to see the movies before listening to the pod.
Stéphane Richard
2024-10-29 18:07:19 +0000 UTCI was depressed thinking this may not return. What a wonderful surprise!
poppyzeus
2024-10-29 17:05:23 +0000 UTCjust made myself a cup of coffee and pressed play :)
Gerardo Preciado
2024-10-29 15:59:45 +0000 UTCHappy to have the show back! Worry not, the Letterboxd list on the episode will be arriving soon!
Mike Kenny
2024-10-29 15:57:00 +0000 UTCAlso, great to have the show back. Like you never left!
Mark Ibarra
2024-10-29 15:52:11 +0000 UTCI know they were both in Guns of the Mag. Seven, but it's a shame we never got to see George Kennedy and Joe Don Baker have a movie together where they really square off. Just two big ol' bears throwing meathooks around at the climax, maybe in a foundry or a tow yard.
Mark Ibarra
2024-10-29 15:46:02 +0000 UTCRelease the Pandemonium Reigns script!
Jeremy Mullins
2024-10-29 15:42:14 +0000 UTCSo happy the show is back!
Duncan
2024-10-29 15:10:40 +0000 UTCyou guys always make me lol, really fun
Pete
2024-10-29 14:59:12 +0000 UTCLink to watch The Human Factor on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/510556/the-human-factor
Arkady_84
2024-10-29 14:59:02 +0000 UTCThere will be select pages shared next week thanks to Roger to go along with our After Show.
Video Archives Podcast
2024-10-29 14:49:22 +0000 UTCOr did Butch catch a train, and the whole thing happened with hitmen that didn't get the stand down order?
Mark Ibarra
2024-10-29 14:48:33 +0000 UTCYes, this one is the 1975 version.
Video Archives Podcast
2024-10-29 13:54:03 +0000 UTCI missed this so much.
Paul Sherman
2024-10-29 13:05:21 +0000 UTCGreat stuff. Loving having the podcast back.
Phillip Duke II
2024-10-29 12:44:00 +0000 UTCpulp fiction was just narrow margin w no train? haha
Pete
2024-10-29 12:19:19 +0000 UTCLISTENERS BEWARE: THERE ARE MULTIPLE MOVIES WITH THE NAME THE HUMAN FACTOR
Happy's Funhouse
2024-10-29 11:24:18 +0000 UTC
