In 1975, a film emerged that has been described as one of the most unsettling movies ever made. This work, directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, is a cinematic adaptation of a book by Marquis de Sade written during his imprisonment in 1785.
The film, titled *Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom*, tells the grim story of four Italian men who abduct a group of teenagers, confining them in a mansion where they endure months of horrific abuse. The film depicts extreme violence and sexual assault, leading to its prohibition in various countries due to its disturbing content.
Upon its release, *Salò* faced bans in Italy, Finland, Australia, West Germany, New Zealand, and Norway. The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) originally rejected the film in 1976, but by 2000 an uncut version was approved for theater and video distribution in the UK. While not banned in the entire United States or Canada, it was specifically prohibited in Ontario.
In Australia, the film eventually received an R18+ rating, permitting its screening, and New Zealand authorized the release of the uncut DVD with an ‘R18’ rating in 2001.
Conversations about the film continue on platforms like social media and Reddit. One user labeled it as the “most f****d movie” they had ever encountered.
A Reddit commenter expressed their shock, stating, “I wanna say thanks for sharing? But this was honestly the most f****d movie I’ve ever seen.” Another remarked, “There’s something seriously wrong with you then cause this is clearly an extremely disturbing film. You have to be a 100 percent psychopath to not be at least a little scarred or disturbed by this.” Yet another echoed, “Literally such a disgusting movie like what was the point of it.”
According to Wikipedia, the film was shot without sound, necessitating post-production dubbing. Due to the controversy, the original actors did not return to dub their lines, so different actors were used.
Throughout the years, several other movies have been banned globally for their disturbing nature. One such film is *Nekromantik*, a 1987 German horror movie notorious for its shocking themes. The storyline follows Robert, a street cleaner who engages in necrophilia, causing an uproar upon release. The film was banned in countries like Iceland, Malaysia, Singapore, certain parts of Canada, Australia, and Finland.
*Nekromantik* features the protagonist, Robert, retrieving a corpse from a lake, which he secretly brings home to fulfill macabre desires with his partner, Betty. Eventually, Robert is fired, abandoned by Betty, and driven to suicide after committing two brutal murders.
One Reddit user reflected, “I think this is the only horror movie I can remember that I regret seeing. It revolves around necrophilia and is basically soft-core necrophilia porn.”