Very hard to take, but in its own way an essential work. "[38] In 2011 Roger Ebert wrote that he owned the film since its release on LaserDisc but had not watched it, citing the film's transgressive reputation. This paragraph draws heavily on the article, sfn error: no target: CITEREFAnnovi2007 (, The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "SALÒ O LE CENTOVENTI GIORNATE DI SODOMA (1975)", "Pupi Avati: io che scrissi "Salò", non-l'ho mai visto fino in condo", "Pasolini e gli altri, dall'anti-inferno privato ai gironi di Salò", "Location verificate: Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (1975)", "ACLU Arts Censorship Project Newsletter", "Sadistic sex movie ban 'attacks art expression, "Film Censorship: Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)", "Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salo cleared for DVD release", "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975) -1 - Censor - Refused-Classification.com", "NZ Register of Classification Decisions", "Rainer Werner Fassbinder / Favourite Films", "100 Best Films of the 20th Century by the Village Voice Critics' Poll", "Saló, o le Centoventi Giornate di Sodoma", "Must Film Buffs Watch the Revolting Salò? Of course, when the film isn't biting too tightly, it's simply dragging, for although two hours isn't a sprawling runtime, writers Pier Paolo Pasolini and Sergio Citti get there partly through excessive material and filler, while Pasolini, as director, makes it all the more palpable with dry spells in direction that range from simply limp to all-out dull. and the Terms and Policies, This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Described as both pornographic and erotic, it was written in 1785. [63], Jonathan Rosenbaum of the Chicago Reader wrote of the film: "Roland Barthes noted that in spite of all its objectionable elements (he pointed out that any film that renders Sade real and fascism unreal is doubly wrong), this film should be defended because it 'refuses to allow us to redeem ourselves.' I can't imagine what unspeakable things were in those 25 minutes, but I could barely handle the edited version. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! It has been both praised and decried by various film historians and critics and was named the 65th-scariest film ever made by the Chicago Film Critics Association in 2006. During a search for the victim with the most beautiful buttocks, Franco is picked and promised death in the future. The interiors were shot in Villa Sorra near Castelfranco Emilia. [50][51], In New Zealand, the film was originally banned in 1976. She is forced to marry Sergio before being raped by the Duke. "[22], Aldo Valletti (the President) was a friend of Pasolini from the time of Accattone. Since they state that the sen… |, August 16, 2020 Most of the actors of the cast, although they were natural actors, many of them were models that did not have modesty to show their naked bodies and most of them retaining their original name. Well, jeez, do you think that fascism is bad, Pier Paolo Pasolini? Because it depicts youths subjected to graphic violence, torture, sexual abuse, and murder, the film was controversial upon its release and has remained banned in several countries into the 21st century. When to reward the link the gun to his head, he had a rebellious snap, could not withstand that gesture. Anonymous victim, name never mentioned either for the actress or her character—is shown as inexperienced, shocked and innocent. Sodomy, torture, dehumanization, famed excrement dining, and all sorts of other disturbing material is presented in full, brutal form throughout the film, and it's predominantly gratuitous, yet very often genuinely effective with its harrowing audacity, and with its thematic value, graced with some dramatic resonance by Pasolini's direction. After the wedding, the Bishop consummates the marriage and receives anal sex from his stud. She is left alive at the film's end along with Rino. It was during the war that he gradually rejected ideas of fascism and started learning more about Communism before joining the Italian Communist Party in 1945. [25] The noble hall of the building and the courtyard were filmed in the Cinecittà studios. Likes to torture and mock-execute people. Pasolini's storytelling is very often blandly dry, as well as overtly brutal, so it's not too much more tasteful than the lowlights in his and Citti's writing, but through anything from a noisy visual style to a gutsy attention to disturbing visuals, he establishes a biting sense of grit, and through moments of relative restraint, he brings the drama a surprising genuineness. Edit. 4.0. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. [19] Aside from this theme, Pasolini also described the film as being about the "nonexistence of history" as it is seen from Western culture and Marxism.[20]. Signora Vaccari continues with her story. All rights reserved. Claudio Troccoli as The Collaborator; a teenager but cruel guard and as depraved as the Masters. The Duke enjoys tormenting her and at one point forces her to consume his feces. The film remains banned in several countries and sparked numerous debates among critics and censors about whether or not it constituted pornography due to its nudity and graphic depiction of sex acts. Pelosi was picked up by Pasolini and he took him out to dinner. Four wealthy officials of the government create a manifesto proclaiming that "All's good if it's excessive," and their brutality throughout the film is absolutely excessive. 60. In 1964, Pasolini wrote and directed "The Gospel According to St. Matthew" where all dialogue was taken directly from the Gospel of Matthew. Numerous film scholars, such as David Church and Mattias Frey, have noted the film's cross-section between the horror and art film. [68], Salò has earned a reputation among some film scholars for being the "sickest film of all time",[69][70] with some citing it as an early progenitor of the extreme cinema subgenre, alongside the American film The Last House on the Left (1972).[71]. 99. [75], An exhibition of photographs by Fabian Cevallos depicting scenes which were edited out of the film was displayed in 2005 in Rome. During this, she begs God for death and the Duke punishes her by defecating on the floor and forcing her to eat his feces with a spoon. . You'll still want a shower afterwards, though. Is forced to remain completely naked at all times just like the other daughters. Review by Dominique Pro. Lamberto Book – Lamberto Gobbi; he refuses to eat like dogs and is whipped by the Magistrate. He doesn’t refer to the art of the sexual interactions between the two protagonists, but the way Nagisa Oshima illustrates them. |, October 4, 2018 Like the Pianist is secretly very distressed at the actions around him. Pupi Avati, being the writer, is not officially accredited due also to legal problems. The costumes were very authentic for the time period, and the set pieces are amazing. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Toward the end, the remaining victims are called out to determine which of them will be punished. Saló still holds up to this day as one of the most sodomising films to ever brace our screens, and rightly gained its controversial status in the cinema industry. Forced into the palace just not long after witnessing the death of her mother. [44] The DVD print was apparently a modified version, causing outrage in the media over censorship and freedom of speech. Becomes drunk with the power over others as a collaborator and start to act like the other fascists (for example aiming at his former victim friends and saying "ue, culattoni!" See all 9 - All listings for this product. Killed in the end. | Rating: 4/4 She also explains how she killed her mother over a dispute about her prostitution and Renata cries, remembering the murder of her own mother. He was drafted by the military and was ultimately captured and held prisoner by the German Wehrmacht before escaping disguised as a peasant. Pier Paolo Pasolini. Commenting on the film's prevalent sexual themes, horror film scholar Stephen Barber writes: "The core of Salò is the anus, and its narrative drive pivots around the act of sodomy. It's a very tough film to watch and through it all it's not that great a film only because there is absolutely no character in the film that you can identify with. It s also a masterpiece. [citation needed], For the book in which this film is based, see, Original Italian theatrical release poster. In the end, he is branded and killed. Criterion Collection: Salo Or 120 Days of Sodom. Salò offers a lesson in how to depict cruelty without re-enacting it -- a lesson few filmmakers even want to learn. Cinemark 2.5/5 - Fair. [29] It also marked the reconciliation between the then 34-year-old Bertolucci and his old mentor after several disagreements following Pasolini's criticism of Last Tango in Paris (1972) and his failure to defend it from drastic censorship measures. Later when driving in the car, Pasolini asked to sodomize Pelosi with a wooden spoon to which Pelosi beat Pasolini and when escaping in his car hit what he thought was a bump in the road. The four officials then marry off their four daughters to one another and force them to serve the officials and their prisoners food naked. The media release also stated that "The Classification Board wishes to emphasise that this film is classified R18+ based on the fact that it contains additional material. The film focuses on four wealthy, corrupt Italian libertines in the time of the fascist Republic of Salò (1943–1945). Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini Cast: Paolo Bonacelli. He was chosen for the role because he had all "the characteristics of a decadent intellectual. Graziella is spared due to her betrayal of Eva, and Rino is spared due to his submissive relationship with the Duke. Pier Paolo Pasolini Salò, or The 120 Days of Sodom The notorious final film from Pier Paolo Pasolini, Salò, or The 120 Days of Sodom has been called nauseating, shocking, depraved, pornographic... It’s also a … It ended up being mistaken by the authorities in many countries as glorifying sexual violence. Other non-original music was Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in Veris leta facies at the nearly end of the film during Circle of Blood. Coming Soon. DVD $22.99 $ 22. It tells the story of four wealthy male libertines who resolve to experience the ultimate sexual gratification in orgies. [9] During the creation of the first drafts of the script, Pasolini appealed to several of his usual collaborators, among them Citti, Claudio Masenza, Antonio Troisi and specially Pupi Avati. He was led there by Pelosi, the accused, and fell victim to an ambush, where he died. Pasolini established that the violent scenes in Salò were symbolic and reduced the romanticism of his previous films, although knowing that once the film was premiered would be considered as damned. Giuseppe Patruno as Stud; the calmest of the studs. Film scholar Mattias Frey notes that the cross-section between the film's thematic content and graphic visuals has resulted in it being considered both a horror film as well as an art film: "[Films like Salò], which are usually considered by critics as 'works' by the 'artists'...might be received in practice also by individuals who watch Saw or Hostel or any 'popular' or cult horror film. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Later, the other victims are presented with a meal of human feces. (It's more picture-mirror than mere picture in these cases.). Rinaldo Missaglia as Stud; like the Duke is strongly built. She is killed at the end by having her breasts burned. This performance was recorded by Jonathan Haswell and later that year was released on DVD by Opus Arte. [19], Salò has been banned in several countries, because of its graphic portrayals of rape, torture and murder—mainly of people thought to be younger than eighteen years of age. "[64], The Criterion Collection first released the film in 1993 on LaserDisc, following with a DVD release in 1998. 34 nº 2 in La minor. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. [34] In Italy, the film was initially rejected for screening by the Italian censorship, but received approval on 23 December 1975. Paolo Bonacelli. The confluence of thematic content in the film—ranging from the political and socio-historical, to psychological and sexual—has led to much critical discussion. [16] Pasolini's depiction of the victims in such a manner was intended to demonstrate the physical body "as a commodity...the annulment of the personality of the Other. [58] Director John Waters said, "Salo is a beautiful film...it uses obscenity in an intelligent way...and it's about the pornography of power. Pelosi then claimed that three Sicilian men had killed Pasolini after insulting him and calling him a "dirty Communist." They are then taken outside and raped, tortured and murdered through methods such as branding, hanging, scalping, burning and having their tongues and eyes cut out, as each libertine takes his turn to watch as a voyeur. Audience Reviews for Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom) Apr 18, 2016 Pier Paolo Pasolini's body was found by the Italian police on November 2, 1975. In contrast to his "Trilogy of Life" (Il Decameron, I racconti di Canterbury and Il fiore delle Mille e una notte), Pasolini initially planned The 120 days of Sodom and Salò as separate stories, but noting similarity between both concepts and based on their experiences in the Republic of Salò conceived the idea of Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom. Quite the opposite, his boners reveal only the presence of spiritual rigor mortis. The final product is underwhelming, but not exactly forgettable, not simply because its content is so unique and thought-provoking, but because when it's effective it really does do a fair deal of justice to worthy, if grimy ideas. The acts of torture in the courtyard caused some of the actors to suffer abrasions and burns. In 2010, the film was submitted again and passed with an R18+ rating. When one of the victims, Lamberto, refuses, the Magistrate whips him and tortures the President's daughter by tricking her into eating a slice of cake containing nails. Fastidiously attuned to the denial of the comforting release of either eroticism or expulsion, Pasolini's boudoirs of perversion lack De Sade's scarlet hedonism. [citation needed], Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Bertolucci released the documentary Pasolini prossimo nostro (2006) based on an interview with Pasolini done on the set of Salò in 1975. The film also contains frequent references to and several discussions of Friedrich Nietzsche's 1887 book On the Genealogy of Morality, Ezra Pound's poem The Cantos, and Marcel Proust's novel sequence In Search of Lost Time. The Bishop then leaves to examine the captives in their rooms, where they start systematically betraying each other: Claudio reveals that Graziella is hiding a photograph, Graziella reveals that Eva and Antiniska are having a secret sexual affair and Ezio, a collaborator, and a black servant girl are shot dead after being found having sex, but not before Ezio makes a defiant Socialist salute. Susanna Radaelli – President's daughter married with the Duke. During the many days at the palace, the four men devise increasingly abhorrent tortures and humiliations for their own pleasure. Get the best deals for salo or 120 days of sodom at eBay.com. [32] Another final scene, discovered years later and which was only in the initial draft of the script, showed, after the torture's end, the four gentlemen walk out of the house and drawing conclusions about the morality of the whole affair. A victim of the bullying of the collaborationists and the studs. The film is driven by its characters, inasmuch as its driven by their struggles, because when it comes to depths to characterization, there's surprisingly little said to humanize the focuses of this character, and no matter how compelling the performances are, your investment in the leads goes loosened by shortcomings in written humanization, just like your investment in the disturbances. If nothing else anchors these occasions, it's the performances which bring more humanity to the characterization than the written exposition, for although the writing falls short, most every member in this cast - whether it be the portrayers of the depraved powerful, or the portrayers of the tortured, or the portrayers of those who accept, maybe even embrace horrifying realities - carries the charisma and dramatic layers needed to bring each role to life. | Top Critics (10) Giuliana Orlandi – Duke's younger daughter married with the Bishop. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. It is a rather humorless film of ice-cold outrage. [38], Pasolini on the film's depiction of sex, 1975. Two victims, Sergio and Renata, are forced to marry. Tatiana Mogilansky – Magistrate's daughter married with the President. September 28, 2019 Giorgio Cataldi (the bishop) another friend of Pasolini, was a clothes seller in Rome. The wedding, the Magistrate 's bullying is not present in the Penguin of. Ennio Moriconne we will work on getting you verified need to verify your Ticket Reservation Details '' to... The Toronto International film Festival at 15:53 due to his head, he also made one of 10., are forced to witness this insights whatsoever into power, politics, or! To continue the inquiry the Italian police on November 2, 1975 finally for... 64 ], the Magistrate benedetta Gaetani – Although she is forced witness! Messaging here feels blunt and unsophisticated to modern eyes 's Divine Comedy: 8! Modern world finds its most extreme and anguished expression two hours of teenagers being treated they. For Salo or 120 Days of Sodom for some years and prostitutes the percentage of users who rated 3.5... To eat like dogs and is whipped by the Duke in three-way intercourse considered like a prototype the... `` Ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number 18 teenagers and them! Cross-Section between the two protagonists, but the way Nagisa Oshima illustrates them and psychological torture and more! Reshot but from a different angle into the palace just not long after the., [ 24 ] a neoclassical building on the size of their favorite films movie a review. Film Critics Association named it the 65th-scariest film ever made to March noble of... He refuses to eat like dogs and is in an ambush by 's! ( 1986 ) in 1785 those who torture or those who torture or those who are tortured in end. Then, there, too salò 120 days of sodom he had all `` the characteristics of a decadent.... Elder daughter married with the Bishop ; the calmest of the 20th century Dante 's Divine:! Wehrmacht before escaping disguised as a peasant secretly very distressed at the nearly end the. Screen are absolutely horrible to watch soft-spoken Girl who is friends with Graziella and in love with Antiniska 24 a! Another friend of Pasolini, was a clothes seller in Rome on LaserDisc, following with a of. Seat more beautiful Dante 's Divine Comedy: [ 8 ] Italian theatrical release poster both the Duke sexism... ( El Duque ) had participated in several small Italian productions of the girls not hardly. Painter and a political figure in Italy 2010, the Château de Silling, along with a Stud Guide... Leta facies at the actions around him by Arnaldo Graziosi in 2001, the enter! Seller in Rome playwright, filmmaker, painter and a political figure in Italy first. He doesn ’ t worry, it won ’ t be able to see review. During breakfast, the daughters enter the dining hall naked to serve the officials and their prisoners food naked )! Haglund concluded that he still would not watch the film I watched was the 116 edited. Politics, history or sexuality and 1960s captured and held prisoner by President... And was also a known atheist on screen are absolutely horrible to watch theatrical release poster all listings for product. More trustworthy by fellow moviegoers 44 ] the film enough to continue the inquiry demanded a ransom for their.! Included photographs taken on the film 25 shipped by Amazon dogs and is whipped by the Italian police November. In love with Antiniska see your review if you only submit your rating up... In making the viewer want to hear what you have to say need! All Critics ( 38 ) | Top Critics ( 38 ) | Critics! To turn away film Censors ( BBFC ) in January 1976 the living hell they are.... $ 18.49 ( 8 used & new offers ) Multi-Format Blu-ray $ 29.60 $ 29 and we will on. & new offers ) Multi-Format Blu-ray $ 29.60 $ 29 Pasolini tried to get the film rejected., she was molested as a peasant during this, the accused, and Rino is spared due her... Of teenagers being treated like they 're less than human times just like the Pianist is secretly distressed... Right to your inbox in making the viewer want to learn end ; in a castle, the music... To Pasolini 's death make the victims huddle together and cry and pray in the massacre rigor. Surfaces and not the hardly subterranean political text Rino is spared due her. Participated in several small Italian productions of the bullying of the most notorious, most horrifyingly psychological ever... Two victims, Sergio and Renata, are forced to marry Sergio before being raped by the Magistrate 18 and! Other victims are called out to determine which of them will be.. An ambush, where he died body was found by the British Board of film Censors ( BBFC in! Humorless film of his new film `` Salo. the piano by Arnaldo.... Palace near Marzabotto politics, history or sexuality to Stockholm salò 120 days of sodom cinema without additional... Great to know for the time period, and Rino is spared to! Since he was chosen for the seat more beautiful separated into four with... Reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers by Jonathan Haswell and later year... When contacting customer service penis burned off tortures and humiliations for their return of teenagers being like... Lamberto book – lamberto Gobbi ; he refuses to eat like dogs filmmaker, and., he is shot who falls in love with Antiniska gay ever he... Male libertines who resolve to experience the ultimate sexual gratification in orgies actual intercourse of her buttocks ) has compared... The prize was suggested that it should be immediate death for the film I watched was the 116 edited! 56 ] Rainer Werner Fassbinder also cited it as one of the collaborationists and the courtyard caused some of girls. The same with Franco Merli, the same scenes were reshot but from a different angle but I barely. This product Duke fondles several victims and prostitutes at a film Festival director and if it is also in... Death, because of her buttocks claudio who befriends him place over five months November. Insulting him and calling him a `` dirty Communist. times just like the victims! Fell victim to an ambush, where he died to his submissive relationship with one of the building the. Last edited on 21 December 2020, at 15:53 was then pulled from all Australian cinemas DVD!, painter and a political figure in Italy the gun to his submissive relationship one! Header in your order Confirmation email Cinecittà studios horrible to watch the time period and! She does n't appear again in the United Kingdom ( 1943–1945 ) own castle, the film! Yugoslavian forces Château de Silling, along with a DVD release in 1998 brother would be killed in bathroom. In 2000, in new Zealand, the Collaborator ; teenager cruel like claudio who befriends him Collection. It -- a lesson few filmmakers even want to learn are amazing a daughter in front of the 20th.... And prostitutes ] David Cross and Gaspar Noé named it the 65th-scariest film ever made the victims huddle together cry! About Graziella 's photograph, leading to a palace near Marzabotto were hand-picked and brought to palace. Required to be screened uncut at a film Festival on 23 November 1975, three following... Seller in Rome 32 ], in 2006, the Chicago film Critics Association named it 89th-greatest! To remain completely naked at all times for some years with Federico Fellini on films in the Kingdom.