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Society (1989)
The Moment: Adopted son Billy Warlock discovers his family are deformed creatures who ‘shunt’ with each other. What’s ‘shunting’? It’s best not to ask.
Only In The '80s: ...would this be deemed beyond the pale (it didn’t get a U.S. release until 1992).
If It Was Made Today: It’d really test horror filmmakers in how to better its gloopy disgust.
Trading Places (1983)
The Moment: Disgraced millionaire Dan Ackroyd is reduced to a drunken bum, dressed as Santa and trying to nosh down salmon through his beard.
Only In The '80s: ...was Dan Ackroyd a reliable barometer of a good laugh. John Landis, too, for that matter.
If It Was Made Today: It would be more relevant than ever.
Raising Arizona (1987)
The Moment: The simple act of buying nappies becomes a comic ordeal as Nic Cage is pursued by cops, dogs, a shop assistant with a shotgun and - scariest of all - his angry wife Holly Hunter.
Only In The '80s: (and, to some extent, the '90s) ...did Nic Cage choose his projects with care.
If It Was Made Today: The yodelling soundtrack would be focus-grouped out of contention in favour of good 'ol Country & Western.
The Fly (1986)
The Moment: Jeff Goldblum, in the process of turning into a fly, gets philosophical as his body parts fall off and dreams of becoming the first insect politician.
Only In The '80s: ...would a body-horror / romance merge be seen by pundits as a state-of-the-nation AIDS allegory.
If It Was Made Today: Seth Brundle would actually become a politician.
Mad Max 2 (1981)
The Moment: The final chase, coming on like a limb-lopping, post-punk remake of Wacky Races .
Only In The '80s: ...would a sequel get rebranded in America (as The Road Warrior ) to ensure good box-office.
If It Was Made Today: Hopes are high for the planned Tom Hardy-starring reboot.
Roxanne (1987)
The Moment: Steve Martin’s big-nosed fire chief silences his critics by making up the jokes himself.
Only In The '80s: ...did Steve Martin find that balance between schmaltz and sharpness.
If It Was Made Today: A comedy based on classic literature? It’d be set in high school.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
The Moment: Eddie Murphy shows Californian law enforcement where to stick it by shoving a banana up the exhaust pipe of the car assigned to tail him.
Only In The '80s: Could Harold Faltermeyer's instrumental theme tunes make it to the Top Ten. See also: Miami Vice .
If It Was Made Today: To be honest, Crazy Frog has rather exhausted our tolerance for Axel F .
The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Moment: The Blues accidentally get booked into a Country & Western bar, forcing them to improvise a set. "Rolling, rolling, rolling..."
Only In The '80s: ...would a fictional band become so popular they end up touring. See also: Spinal Tap.
If It Was Made Today: The band would sing Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like a Woman .
Flash Gordon (1980)
The Moment: Brian Blessed expresses his surprise that Flash Gordon has survived Ming's attempts to kill him.
Only In The '80s: ...were kids' movies this kinky. Seriously, go and watch it again.
If It Was Made Today: Brian Blessed would sue; after all, he has repeated his immortal line so often he probably thinks he owns the copyright.
Withnail and I (1987)
The Moment: Back from going on holiday by mistake, Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann see out the 1960s by sharing a Camberwell Carrot with stoner mate Ralph Brown.
Only In The '80s: ...could two future Doctor Whos share a spliff on-screen.
If It Was Made Today: Preview audiences baffled by the name Camberwell. Scene reshot as Cannabis Carrot, totally ruining the joke.
