Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom, a film often described as the most disturbing ever made, is receiving a rare UK release. The British Film Institute (BFI) is issuing a restored 4K edition on October 26, featuring extras including behind-the-scenes featurettes, a documentary about Pasolini, and an audio commentary by film critic Kat Ellinger.
The film, adapted from the Marquis de Sade's novel The 120 Days of Sodom, follows a group of libertines in fascist Italy who capture and torture teenagers. It was Pasolini's final film, released in 1975, three weeks after he was murdered.
Banned and censored history
Salo has a troubled release history, having been banned in several countries due to its graphic depictions of rape, torture, and murder. In 1976, producer Alberto Grimaldi faced obscenity charges in court. In the UK, the film was rejected by the British Board of Film Censors in 1976, and an uncut screening at the Old Compton Street Cinema Club in Soho led to a police raid. It was not until 2000 that the film was passed for theatrical and video distribution in the UK.
The BFI's description calls the film a "cinematic milestone: culturally significant, politically vital and visually stunning," noting that its imagery "retains the power to shock, repel and distress." Ben Stoddart of the BFI said in a statement: "The BFI is releasing Salo with contextualising extras in 4K UHD on 26 October because whilst it's naturally not a film with broad appeal, it is still a hugely important work."
Divided opinions among critics
Film critic Ygraine Hackett-Cantabrana, host of the Gore Things podcast, called it "one of the most important pieces of art ever produced in cinema." She told Metro: "How anyone can watch this film and not see a similarity between Pasolini's characters and their actions, and what is going on with the current rise of the far-right, the sexual abuse committed against children by both the church and 'powerful' people such as Epstein and Trump, is beyond me."
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival programmer Tori Potenza, who first saw the film this year, said: "The horror of Salo is that it is not a stretch to think something like this is possible." Jessie, who shares movie content on Instagram as softxdeath, said the film "feels less like an absurdist, sadistic nightmare, and more like a documentary piece."
Not all reactions are positive. Sam Munster, host of the Horror Hyperfixations podcast, couldn't finish the film, saying: "I was bored... it's an edgelord piece of nonsense." Film reviewer Scary Zara Mary initially found it "meh," but later admitted: "Learning about the intention behind the film, the meaning, the director; it totally changed my perspective."
Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom is released in 4K UHD by the BFI on October 26. It will also be screened at London's Prince Charles Cinema on August 22.
