Movies / Features
50 Years Old, Yet Still The 'sickest And Dirtiest' Horror Film Ever Is...
This film was banned in many countries and continues to spark controversy today due to its disturbing content. Its impact on the horror genre and cinematic history is substantial.
The horror genre isn't for every film fan. Some directors go quite far in their quest to shock audiences, but no film has managed to do so effectively and controversially as Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma.
This infamous film by Pier Paolo Pasolini caused worldwide uproar in 1975. This is not surprising. This controversial creation is loosely based on the work of the Marquis de Sade and depicts how four Italian fascists kidnap eighteen youths and subject them to four months of sadistic abuse, sexual humiliation, and extreme cruelty.
The then-director of the British Board of Film Classification stated: "This is undoubtedly one of the most disturbing films we have ever had to assess". Salò was banned upon release in nearly twenty countries.
In the United States, it led to a significant undercover operation, culminating in a lawsuit involving Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorsese. In England, it escalated further: police raided a private screening to seize a copy of the film.
Despite Salò being out for half a century, it still generates considerable discussion today. Some viewers are attempting to watch the film now to honor its 50-year anniversary, but many on social media express regret after viewing it.
One viewer wrote: "The scenes with the excrement made my stomach turn. I'll never forget what I saw". For many, the film is unbearable; for others, it is an essential confrontation with the darkest corners of the human psyche.
This infamous film by Pier Paolo Pasolini caused worldwide uproar in 1975. This is not surprising. This controversial creation is loosely based on the work of the Marquis de Sade and depicts how four Italian fascists kidnap eighteen youths and subject them to four months of sadistic abuse, sexual humiliation, and extreme cruelty.
Worldwide Censorship
The then-director of the British Board of Film Classification stated: "This is undoubtedly one of the most disturbing films we have ever had to assess". Salò was banned upon release in nearly twenty countries.
In the United States, it led to a significant undercover operation, culminating in a lawsuit involving Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorsese. In England, it escalated further: police raided a private screening to seize a copy of the film.
Shocking Imagery
Despite Salò being out for half a century, it still generates considerable discussion today. Some viewers are attempting to watch the film now to honor its 50-year anniversary, but many on social media express regret after viewing it.
One viewer wrote: "The scenes with the excrement made my stomach turn. I'll never forget what I saw". For many, the film is unbearable; for others, it is an essential confrontation with the darkest corners of the human psyche.
