"Salo: 120 Days of Sodom"...Anyone seen this sick movie?

[Slash]

I recently heard about this movie from the 1970s based on a novel by the Marquis De Sade. Its an infamous film that is supposed to be one of the most disturbing, vile, gory , disgusting, and depraved movies ever made, with tons of nudity and sick shit going on. Here's a plot summary from the IMDB:

"Set in the Nazi-controlled, northern Italian state of Salo in 1944, four dignitaries round up sixteen perfect specimens of youth and take them together with guards, servants and studs to a palace near Marzabotto. In addition, there are four middle-aged women: three of whom recount arousing stories whilst the fourth accompanies on the piano. The story is largely taken up with their recounting the stories of Dante and De Sade: the Circle of Manias, the Circle of Shit and the Circle of Blood. Following this, the youths are executed whilst each libertine takes his turn as voyeur."

Have any of you schmoes out there seen this movie? And if so, is it worth tracking down?
Is it really that scary, or just plain sick?
Its not available for sale in the US, but I can probably find a copy on ebay. Just wondering, thanks.

[izombie]

One of the few movies that I had to turn off....save your time and money.

[Slash]

I probably won't bother with it. What was so bad about it that you had to turn it off? Just curious

[Romero&Juliet]

Yeah izombie, I'm really curious as to what's so bad about it.

[Carl Zittrer]

It's not a scary movie, nor is it a horror movie as people on this forum know them.

Most film scholars consider it the sickest, most disturbing movie ever made. I wouldn't go that far, but the film is completely uncompromising in what it shows, and the fascists/kidnappers are a representation of humanity at its conscienceless, amoral, sadistic worst.
SALO is loaded with full-frontal nudity from beginning to end, but it's not pornographic; there's no explicit sex.

The director, Pasolini, was murdered as a result of this film.

[malaria]

This was just re-released here in UK with a white cover with the title in black. Saw it in my local HMV store along with other Pasolini releases. The case backing looked modest and art-housey. I was on the verge of buying it and then had 2nd thoughts and chickened out. I think I might have plucked up the courage again. Oh I dunno you know... izombie's put me off a bit. Dammit, I can do this... Right I'll report back when I've seen it and let you know what I think.

[izombie]

It's not so much the content that bothered me in my opinion it just sucked as a movie, I didn't find anything in the movie that compelled me to keep watching it.

[Slash]

i heard the movie has brutal scenes of torture, like eye gougings, scalpings, tongues cut off, rapings (heterosexual and homosexual) and also some SICK scenes of people forced to eat shit.

Sounds like the kind of movie I'd be ashamed to own if I bought it and watched it. This year I've already bought Cannibal Holocaust, Jungle Holocaust, and John Water's Pink Flamingos on DVD, simply because I was curious about the controversial nature of these films. I was disgusted by all three, and wish I hadn't paid money for them.

Unless anyone here can recommend Salo, I think I'm gonna pass. I don't need another shitty movie in my collection that I'm ashamed to own.

[Gorobei]

I found SALO to be one of the most disturbing movies I have ever watched. It is a beautifully filmed and structured expose of monumental depravity. While I appreciated its art, its subject matter was an exercise in endurance. I didn't turn it off, but I couldn't wait for it to end.

--Gorobei

[Romero&Juliet]

Thanks guys.
I've been hearing a lot about it and I think I'm interested in seeing it. Despite what's being said about it. I'm sure it is REALLY sick, but after Canibal Holocaust(on drugs) I think I can handle it.

[ICP RULZ]

I found this movie to not be really disturbing or anything of the sort.While I did not enjoy this movie,I think it is a must see for anyone.Unless they have a weak stomach.And you probably wont be able to buy it,so I suggest downloading it.It is a classic piece of work.

Peace http://216.40.241.68/cwm/cwm/rain.gif

[Cyclonus]

My friend Marcus and I just watched that movie tonight, because we wanted to see what all the hype was about. It was supposed to be the most fucked up movie ever made. Well, parts of it are pretty gross, but neither of us really thought it was as shocking as reputed. Maybe it was partly because it was an old VHS copy with a blurred picture, but methinks this film just has aged poorly.

As everyone on the horror boards knows by now...there are scenes where people are forced to eat their own shit, and in one part, some guy gets his penis burned! :o But really, what's the point? It's defenders say it's an anti-facist film, and I guess it is, but perhaps it should have made its intentions a bit clearer?

Still...I will not give this movie a proper review till I can watch a quality DVD version or at least a more pristine VHS.

[Fisting Ackbar]

Wasn't that shocking as I expected and it didn't really interest me in the end.

[angelinwhite]

I bought this thing off of ebay and while I can take just about anything, not this one again. I'll probably just throw it in the garbage some day when I'm thinking about it.

It's depraved, and very, very depressing. Some of the stuff depicted is beyond description. I felt ill after finishing it.

If you're thinking "oooo, gotta see what all the hype is about", it's really not what you think. There is no graphic sex depicted (only suggested) but the torture and murder depicted in this film is beyond what most of us as normal people would consider acceptable. It's too realistic.

[Cyclonus]

I couldn't resist this...what do you think the CAPalert guy would say about it? :o

[Cyclonus]

Hey, what was the name of that actor who played one of the Facists? He was the really creepy-looking guy.

[thedarklamb]

I finally got this sucker downloaded off p2p. A sweet looking dvd rip and It hooked me from the begining credits. The music, the setting and Pasolini's directing is beautifull. All the actors have my ultimate respect. Even though it's filled with brutality and grossness, I enjoyed the film totally. IMO, It was the Schindler's List of it's time.

[Duke Nukem]

Is this movie really not available in the U.S.? All this talk about it makes me want to see it. I'm also a hardcore horror fan, so might be able to handle it.

[angelinwhite]

Hey Duke,

Just go to ebay and under movies: vhs/dvd's, look up salo. You'll find a number of people selling it.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by malaria
This was just re-released here in UK with a white cover with the title in black. Saw it in my local HMV store along with other Pasolini releases. The case backing looked modest and art-housey. I was on the verge of buying it and then had 2nd thoughts and chickened out. I think I might have plucked up the courage again. Oh I dunno you know... izombie's put me off a bit. Dammit, I can do this... Right I'll report back when I've seen it and let you know what I think.

Yep, the cover sold me also...'tis MOST alluring.

I'd refrain from an impulse buy mate...It's a RENTAL at best, and I'm £20 out of pocket for that little piece of advice.

Hmmmm, I can't be arsed re-treading OLD ground, so I've copied and pasted a couple of past posts...:)


AFTER FIRST VIEWING.

Okay...I actually went out and purchased "Salo" yesterday...I couldn't envision this fun family flick being screened on UK terrestrial TV at any point in the near future, so I decided to take the plunge...I'm a fan of all things disturbing, controversial and taboo, so why not!!!

I can't say I was overly "disturbed", but I ACTUALLY vomited, which is a first. YES, it did repulse me...a hell of a lot!!!

I didn't particularly mind "Circle of Mania's" and "Circle of Blood"...but "Circle of Shit" was just bloody vile. I like to believe that I have a strong tolerance for the bizarre and depraved (and I still believe I do), but this film challenged that...and for that reason alone, I believe it is an important work. I love the fact that "Pasolini" chose to set "Salo" in 1944...It served to remind us that the inhumane fetishes documented within De Sade's works were an everyday part of life for the unfortunate masses that suffered under the Nazi regime. Many of these people were abused in ways that one couldn't possibly imagine...they were put through the most sickening of tortures and treated like puppets. "Salo" attempted to bring this to light...and I believe it may have succeeded.

Hmmmm, I might just recommend this baby to my mother...for shits (no pun intended) and giggles!!!


AFTER REPEATED VIEWINGS

I've watched it 4 or 5 times now (it still causes me to retch), and despite the repeated viewings...I can't quite fathom the film's intentions.

The one thing I am sure of...it removes me. Every scene is voyeuristic, but that in itself seems rather pointless.

The repeated depictions of rape, coprophagia, sodomy, sexual torture and degradation are treated with casual disdain...I actually found it hard to sympathise with any one of the "victim's".

Pasolini intended this film to be an anti-fascist statement did he not!? In dehumanising the wounded and transforming his bourgeois master's into laughable caricatures I feel his intended message was lost.

Maybe this was completely intentional, I don't know...but it does seem a trifle inane when all is said and done.


Okay, so in conclusion...

I'm STILL on the fence.

One thing I'm positive about...this film certainly ISN'T as disturbing as rumour would lead you to believe. Sure, it's completely VOMIT-INDUCING at times...but it is actually quite tame according to modern standards.

I'd give it a 6/10.

Quite redundant, but important nonetheless.

[Xipe Totec]

Ok, I haven`t seen the movie, but have read parts of the story it`s based on from a porn mag and let me say, no way they could`ve made a movie which shows a per cent of the perversions in the story and get away with it.... It`s just plain sick. Pregnant women getting smashed under a rock, women f***ed by horses, perverts enjoying to watch people starve to death....The story is just sick.

[TATU]

Originally posted by Xipe Totec
Ok, I haven`t seen the movie, but have read parts of the story it`s based on from a porn mag and let me say, no way they could`ve made a movie which shows a per cent of the perversions in the story and get away with it.... It`s just plain sick. Pregnant women getting smashed under a rock, women f***ed by horses, perverts enjoying to watch people starve to death....The story is just sick.
cool. Very cool.

[angelinwhite]

Xipe,

You'd be stunned at what they portray in Salo'. How about forcing their captives to eat shit, just for starters.

A young boy's tongue is cut out.

Another boy and girls genitals are burned off.

An eye is gouged out with a knife, in full, beautiful color of course.

A girl is scalped with a dull knife.

Does that help give you an idea?

[Romero&Juliet]

HEY! Spoilers, SCHMOE!



Originally posted by angelinwhite
Xipe,

You'd be stunned at what they portray in Salo'. How about forcing their captives to eat shit, just for starters.

A young boy's tongue is cut out.

Another boy and girls genitals are burned off.

An eye is gouged out with a knife, in full, beautiful color of course.

A girl is scalped with a dull knife.

Does that help give you an idea?

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Xipe Totec
Ok, I haven`t seen the movie, but have read parts of the story it`s based on from a porn mag and let me say, no way they could`ve made a movie which shows a per cent of the perversions in the story and get away with it.... It`s just plain sick. Pregnant women getting smashed under a rock, women f***ed by horses, perverts enjoying to watch people starve to death....The story is just sick.

Hmmmm, methinks you should be reading a quality jazz-mag mate.

Salo is quite foul, that's a given...but I don't recall any pregnant women being bludgeoned with rocks, and there were certainly NO shenanigans involving neddy's either.

[ICP RULZ]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
Hmmmm, methinks you should be reading a quality jazz-mag mate.

Salo is quite foul, that's a given...but I don't recall any pregnant women being bludgeoned with rocks, and there were certainly NO shenanigans involving neddy's either.

Don't mean to be rude,but what the hell does your last post mean? jazz-mag,neddy;s

Peace,
Matt

[BadCoverVersion]

Jazz-Mag...You know, WANKING material...pornography.

As for Neddy's...HORSES...You know, NEDDY'S go neigh and all...

Hmmm...I confuse myself.

My apologies.

[Dignan]

HAHA. He said wanking. God I wish I lived in the UK. Wanking.
lol.:p

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Dignan
HAHA. He said wanking. God I wish I lived in the UK. Wanking.
lol.:p

I'm all woooooooman.

:)

Don't worry about it mind...it's a common mistake (my 'tache and rather cumbersome penis doesn't help matters.)

[Dignan]

Shit! I forgot! SORRY SORRY SORRY! I just now remembered and thought "Oh fuck, why did I put "he" ?" Shit. I knew you were of the opposite sex. Sorry. Its been a long ass week. I'm not thinking clearly. Damn me for not getting that edit button fast enough. DAMN ME!

God I am fucking stupid. SOOOOO STUPID. And schmoe embarrasment ensues. Damn, now I've lost face(I've been reading John Knowles, pardon the expession) in BadCoverVersion's eyes. Whats next? Will I accidentely shoot The Claw? Well, it'll look like an accident. Muw-hahahahaha!
.......

Sigh. God I'm retarded.
Oh well.
:(

[Cyclonus]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
Salo is quite foul, that's a given...but I don't recall any pregnant women being bludgeoned with rocks, and there were certainly NO shenanigans involving neddy's either.

Xipe Totec was referring to the source material, penned by none other than the infamous Marquis de Sade. Of course, it was too much than what even this film could expect to get away with, and to boot, the book was a whopping four hundred pages long!!!

[Dignan]

I think MGM is releasing a new version of it out on DVD sometime this year......
For all who are interested. And can't find the criterion disc.

[Damn_Disgrace]

I really want to see this movie, It's been a while since a movie has really shocked me. And everyone here is saying it has made them sick or shut it off half way through.... A movie has never made me do that... Unless it sucked really bad. I want to be shocked. And the shocking thing is, this shit really did happen.

-Tony

[Cyclonus]

Originally posted by Dignan
I think MGM is releasing a new version of it out on DVD sometime this year......
For all who are interested. And can't find the criterion disc.

I wonder if it will be released as "unrated" or NC-17? I'm surprised MGM would touch this thing at all.

[angelinwhite]

Romero,

Don't mean to be argumentative with you, but spoilers have to do with giving plot lines or key information about the story and/or characters away. I believe that discussing specific acts of violence or debauchery without any reference to the actual storyline is okay here. Not giving away any plot line or story.

I hope discussing certain scenes in a movie that don't give away the story is acceptable without advertising SPOILERS each time.

Anyways, I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page here about what constitutes SPOILERS. If I'm wrong, then I will make sure I do not do this again.

Thanks!

[Murderous Squad]

I'm going to be watching this soon and I have to admit i'm nervous as hell btu there are no real scenes in here are there?? And i'd like to know more about hte directors death what did it have to do with the movie??

[Skysaber]

Originally posted by Murderous Squad
I'm going to be watching this soon and I have to admit i'm nervous as hell btu there are no real scenes in here are there?? And i'd like to know more about hte directors death what did it have to do with the movie??

No, none of the scenes are real and the director was murdered by one of his actors in the movie because he claimed it "ruined and degrated his life".

This movie is horrible so have fun with it.

[Murderous Squad]

Originally posted by Skysaber
No, none of the scenes are real and the director was murdered by one of his actors in the movie because he claimed it "ruined and degrated his life".

This movie is horrible so have fun with it.

Do you know which actor it was? I want to point him out in the film...just curious. Also i'm guessing he got life huh? I bet he now notices that killing the director really ruined his life not the acting in the film (even though that might ruin his life to a certain extent but not totally take away his life).

[Cronos]

Originally posted by Skysaber
No, none of the scenes are real and the director was murdered by one of his actors in the movie because he claimed it "ruined and degrated his life".

This movie is horrible so have fun with it.


i read that he was murdered by a male prostitute just after the film was finished, not one of the actors....but i may be wrong

[Murderous Squad]

Originally posted by Romero&Juliet
Thanks guys.
I've been hearing a lot about it and I think I'm interested in seeing it. Despite what's being said about it. I'm sure it is REALLY sick, but after Canibal Holocaust(on drugs) I think I can handle it.


What were you on?? If you don't mind answering it but yeah I wasen't on anything serious but I was stoned when I first watched CH and the music creeped me the fuck outl...but i'm thinking thjis movie is WAY more disturbing the CH.

[TheAxeGrinder]

Man, this movie, along with Cannibal Holocaust and the Guinea Pig series belong in the deepest bowels of a volano. Seriously, can someone explain the historical accuracy and entertainment value of this movie?

[Murderous Squad]

Originally posted by TheAxeGrinder
Man, this movie, along with Cannibal Holocaust and the Guinea Pig series belong in the deepest bowels of a volano. Seriously, can someone explain the historical accuracy and entertainment value of this movie?

I'm not watching it for entertaiment i'm just curious to be honest..same with CH I was just curious about the hype.

[heavy!!!]

A mildly interesting study on strict regimes etc etc with bundles of sordid sex. Yes its shocking, but Sean William Scott ate poo in American Pie 3, i have seen movies like The Accused, Man Bites Dog, rape scenes are not pleasant but its not really any more shocking than that ...

...Guess im just a desensitised little bastard!!!

[TheDeadWalk]

I can't believe I got this movie confused with sadomania. I have yet to see Salo, but from the longhand version that includes the title sodoma, I thought the American translation was Sadomania.

BIG mistake!!!


Oh well, at least it's got plenty of titters working hard in the hot sun, not to mention tons of lesbo scenes.