Few films in cinema history have sparked as much outrage and controversy as this one.
While many films explore themes of violence, depravity, and human suffering, this particular movie transcends traditional shock value.
Unlike other horror films like Cannibal Holocaust (1980) or A Serbian Film (2010), which are notorious for their excessive gore and violence, this film delves into historical atrocity and philosophical themes, making it even more unsettling.
Even iconic films like Schindler’s List (1993) or Requiem for a Dream (2000), known for their intense depictions of human suffering, fail to match the raw nihilism present in Pasolini’s adaptation of Marquis de Sade’s infamous novel.
The movie’s impact on audiences is undeniable, with many viewers left speechless by its unrelenting depictions of abuse and dehumanization.
One person describes it as: “The most provocative and disturbing movie ever made in history.”
Another comments: “A movie so disgusting, it makes you question the director’s mental health and motivations.”
A third warns: “Please, for your own sake, don’t watch this movie. It’s truly disturbing.”
Critics have been deeply divided since the film’s release, some hail it as a masterpiece of political and philosophical cinema, while others consider it an exercise in excess.
Roger Ebert famously refused to give the film a rating, stating: “This is not a film that can be judged by ordinary standards.”
Jonathan Rosenbaum from Chicago Reader called it: “One of the most profoundly disturbing films ever made, yet essential for understanding the depths of fascism.”
However, Vincent Canby of The New York Times dismissed it as: “Pointlessly grotesque, an experiment in shock that ultimately means nothing.”
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, is set during the final days of Mussolini’s regime in Italy. It follows four corrupt fascist libertines who abduct 18 young men and women, subjecting them to months of extreme physical, psychological, and sexual torture.
The film is divided into four sections, each reflecting a layer of Dante’s Inferno, escalating to a suffocating peak of horror.
Through this structure, Pasolini critiques the abuse of power and the erosion of human dignity, offering a stark commentary on the dehumanizing effects of totalitarianism.
Salò has faced bans in numerous countries due to its graphic portrayals of violence, sexual abuse, and sadism.
Countries like New Zealand, Canada, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Germany have either fully banned or heavily censored the film at various times. In the U.K., it remained banned until 2000, while Australia and New Zealand lifted and reimposed bans multiple times.
Several Canadian provinces also restricted its distribution, and even in the United States, copies were seized by authorities, despite there being no official nationwide ban.
Though it has earned notoriety, Salò is still available for purchase and streaming. The Criterion Collection offers a restored Blu-ray and DVD version, while platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV feature digital rentals.
Watch the trailer for Salò here…
