A Bay of Blood is a 1971 Italian horror by Mario Bava. With Claudine Auger, Luigi Pistilli and Claudio Camaso.
Banned by the BBFC for 1972 cinema release, then banned on VHS as a Video nasty in 1983. Unbanned but cut by the BBFC from 1994 until 2000. Uncut by the BBFC since 2010. The US R rated version is uncut.
Summary Review
: Granddaddy of all slasher movies
Bay of Blood is often called the "Granddaddy of all slasher movies". After watching Bay of Blood you can definitely see where Friday the
13th (made in 1980) got a lot of it's ideas. Saying that, Bay of Blood does not possess the single element that defined the slasher film, the indestructible, omnipresent killer.
The movie succeeds almost entirely thanks to Mario Bavo,
who serves as both director and cinematographer, with his typical stylish flare which heavily influenced the great Dario Argento, his eye appealing use of color and interesting editing techniques, which include a lot of blurry dissolves give Bay of
Blood an almost dream-like, surrealistic feel.
Versions
uncut
run:
83:54s
pal:
80:33s
UK: Passed 18 with BBFC cuts waived for:
2019 Arrow Macabre Visions Limited Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2011
Arrow/ArrowDrome [English + Italian Version] R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2010 Arrow [English + Italian Version] R0 Blu-ray
at UK Amazon
2010 Arrow [English + Italian Version] R2
DVD at UK Amazon
US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:
2013 Kino [English + Italian] RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
There is an English language version and an Italian language version. Dialogue scenes were shot twice but there is no real difference between the two beyond the language.
The first murder of a teenage girl loses 2s in 2 cuts, the first of her throat being cut from behind and the other of a graphic hatchet blow to the head.
21s (nearly the entire scene) is cut from a boy dying with a machete embedded in his
face.
3 cuts totally 9s diminish the death of couple impaled with a spear whilst making love. We love the blood welling from the wounds and their writhing whilst impaled.
2s When Federica gets beheaded, the tracking shot of her neck
spilling blood is missing.
11s has been cut from the death of Simon being forced up a wall by a spear impaled in his stomach.
uncut
run:
84:16s
pal:
80:54s
UK: Released
uncut on pre-cert video for:
1983 Hokushin VHS
The uncut version titled Blood Bath was released on the Hokushin label in February 1983 and was listed as a video nasty in March 1984. It stayed on the list throughout, so became one of the
collectable DPP39s
The Beast in Heat is a 1977 Italian Naziploitation by Luigi Batzella With Macha Magall, Gino Turini and Edilio Kim.
Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Not released in the UK since. Uncut and
MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: The Good Old Days
A beautiful, nefarious senior female SS officer/doctor (Magall) creates a genetic, mutant human Beast (half man/half beast). The Beast is a
rapacious, squat, mongoloid sex fiend which she uses to torture and molest female prisoners while the Nazis watch. The vertically challenged beast is kept on a diet of mega-aphrodisiacs. There is plenty of sadistic titillations, gore and nudity in this
Nazi sub-genre exploitation flick.
Ahhh, the good old days when absolutely nothing was safe or sacred to the exploitation movie merchants.... Here we have, in my opinion, probably the most tasteless example of the
Naziploitation picture, a genre that more or less died shortly after this "movie".
Anyway, about the movie. For the uninitiated, start with Ilsa - She Wolf of the SS . If you can "enjoy" that bit of nastiness, then
perhaps consider taking on this "unique" take on a forgotten film genre. Just don't watch it with your mom or girlfriend or aunt or grandma etc...
Released on video in June 1982 by JVI. Banned in October 1983 when it was added to the official video nasty list . It r emained on the DPP list throughout the scare and so became
one of the (rarest) collectable DPP39s
The Beyond is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci With Catriona MacColl and David Warbeck.
Fifty years after a fatal witch/warlock hunt in a hotel,
inhabitants start to meet gruesome deaths including eye gouging, face eating by spiders & acid attacks.
Summary Review: Fulci Lives
The Beyond is one of Fulci's best films. The film
takes place in modern day Louisiana as a woman oversees the the renovation of an hotel that she inherits. Strange and gory things start to happen and poof the hotel just happens to be over one of the 7 doors to hell.
Very
bloody with a slightly incoherent plot the film is a lot of fun and I suspect that no Fulci fan should be without their copy. Visually I think this is Fulci's best film (that I've seen) and the acting is what you'd expect.
Vampix released the cut cinema version on video in March 1982. This was b anned as a video nasty in November 1983
but was later dropped from the list in April 1985
The cut cinema version was passed without further cuts for Elephant Video in 1987 and the same version was reissued by Vipco 1992
Finally passed 18 uncut for the 2002 Protected/Vipco DVD
Blood Bath is a 1976 US horror by Joel M Reed. With Harve Presnell, Jack Somack and Curt Dawson.
Not an official video nasty. The tongue in cheek horror film sort of made
the video nasty list due to its shared name with the real video nasty, Mario Bava's Blood Bath. The list didn't specify details beyond the title so this unlikely video was also removed from UK video shop shelves
Summary Review: B-movie
horror
The cast of a horror film go out for dinner with their director one night and they all exchange horror stories.
This a very enjoyable low budget anthology, more in keeping with the
Creepshow series than the Amicus efforts. The second and third story are played for laughs for the most part, although both have agreeably twisted denouements.
Its hard to believe that the director of this film was also
responsible for Bloodsucking Freaks as this is quite a restrained effort. This is a very worthy addition to the Anthology horror genre, and there's plenty of gore and laughs to be had.
The tongue in cheek horror film sort of made the video nasty list due to its shared name with the real video nasty, Mario Bava's Blood Bath. The list didn't specify details beyond the
title so this unlikely video was also removed from UK video shop shelves
Blood Feast is a 1963 US horror by Herschell Gordon Lewis. With William Kerwin, Mal Arnold and Connie Mason.
Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Cut by the BBFC for 2001 DVD and uncut since 2005 DVD. Uncut and unrated in the US
Summary Review : Pretty Damn Cool
An
utterly barebones production, flatly pathetic acting, stilted and pointless dialogue, and lots and lots of ultra-phony gore.
Of course, this is pretty undisputedly the first real gore film, so horror fans pretty
much have to see this. And, even if it weren't so important historically it would be worth seeing anyway, cause it's pretty damn cool either way.
You get flaying, leg severing, heart extracting, tongue ripping, brain snatching etc. And, while the
gore effects are incredibly dated, they aren't quite as cheap and old as I would have imagined. The blood itself actually holds up fairly well, and looks better than much of the stage blood you'd see over the next 20 years or so. It's actually red!
Versions
uncut
run:
66:56s
pal:
64:15s
UK: Passed 18 uncut for
strong violence and gory horror for:
2020 Arrow Herschell Gordon Lewis Collection Special Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad
2017 Arrow Special Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2016 Arrow The Herschell Gordon Lewis Feast Limited Edition (RB) Blu-ray/(R2) DVD Combo
at UK Amazon
The BBFC claim that the cuts were due to a recent obscenity conviction in 1994.
Cuts to the scene where a woman is tied up with chains/manacles and is whipped to death with a cat o'nine tails. A few seconds were substituted by shots of the statue's head and Ramses' face.
Astra released the video in May 1982. It was an early casualty of the video nasty scare and was banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic and so is one of the collectable
DPP39s
Blood Rites is a 1969 US horror horror by Andy Milligan With Veronica Radburn, Maggie Rogers and Hal Borske.
Mysterious killer retard stalks family will reading.
Summary Review : Eating Live Rabbits
Three married couples are forced to spend the night in a Victorian-era house where they start getting killed off by a deranged psycho who's
bent on claiming an inheritence they are all entitled to.
The Ghastly Ones (aka. Blood Rites ), Andy Milligan's first horror film, is a 1968 film shot in cranium-cleaving color at his Victorian mansion on
Staten Island. After a prologue in which a couple with a really large umbrella are hacked up by some guy, this movie has three daughters and their husbands at a reading of their late father's will. It is his wish that the couples spend three days in the
family mansion in sexual harmony, and then they will find out who gets what from the old man. But once there the handyman is eating live rabbits, the couples start fighting, and then people start dying and showing up as the main course at dinner.
Very slow staring, but if you are loose for a high content of cheese with your blood and gore, you will not be disappointed.
Availability
Released on video by Scorpio in March 1983. Banned as a video nasty in August 1984. It stayed on the list throughout the panic and so became one of the
collectable DPP39s
Current UK status: No UK Release since ban
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2015 Bayview Entertainment/Widowmaker Andy Milligan Grindhouse Experience Triple Feature R1 DVD
at US Amazon
Bloody Moon is a 1981 Spanish/German slasher by Jess Franco. With Olivia Pascal, Christoph Moosbrugger and Nadja Gerganoff.
Cut by the BBFC for 1972 cinema release. The same version was released on
pre-cert video along with the uncut version. These were then banned as video nasties. Later cut by the BBFC for 1993 VHS. The BBFC cuts were waived for 2008 DVD. Uncut in the US.
Summary Review: Dumb Victims
This movie is basically the infamous Jess Franco having a go at the American-style slasher films that were big in the early 80's, and what's most remarkable about it is how unremarkable it is. It's pretty violent, but except for one
nasty knife exit wound there's nothing here that hasn't been done in hundreds of American slasher movies.
It's set at an adult Spanish-language school which seems to cater exclusively to incredibly dumb and slutty German
and Scandinavian women.
The girls are being stalked by two of the reddest herrings imaginable. One is a burnt youth in a Mickey Mouse mask. The other is a gardener who is always laughing maniacally and coincidentally
wielding the exact same implement that has just been used to kill the latest victim.
The best thing I can say about this movie it is it is so over-the-top with its dumb victims, obvious red herrings, and ridiculously gory
murders that it might have actually meant to be a parody of the slasher film.
Availability
Cut by 1:38s when submitted for a cinema release in 1982
Inter-Light released 2 versions of the video in 1992, ie cut and uncut. The cut version was the same as the cinema release. The video was banned as a video
nasty in July 1983 and stayed on the list throughout the panic, so is one the the collectable DPP 39s
The Bogey Man is a 1980 US horror by Ulli Lommel With Suzanna Love, John Carradine and Ron James.
Various killings precipitated by domestic objects aided by
the power of the occult.
Summery Review: One of the better nasties
Through the reflection in the mirror, a girl witnesses her mother's boyfriend's murder.
I was surprised that this movie got such a low rating, to me it's one of the better horror films I've seen in some time. Ulli Lommel allows the horror in this story to gradually build until it erupts in very frightening
and disturbing and occasionally blackly comic ways.
The boogeyman's appearances in the film are effectively kept very brief, he doesn't become a silly charactor of the Freddy/Jason mould. Ulli lommel keeps the
location barren and banal and uses them in inventive ways. The scenes in which the disturbed deaf brother paints over every mirror in the house is brilliant and foreshadows a lot of scenes in clean-shaven.
Availability
The 1980 cinema release was uncut.
Released on video in November 1981 by Vipco. The video was listed as video nasty in October 1983 but was dropped from the list in July 1985
The Burning is a 1981 US/Canada slasher by Tony Maylam With Brian Matthews and Leah Ayres.
Cut by the BBFC for an X rated 1981 cinema release. Released uncut on
pre-cert video but this then got banned as a video nasty. BBFC required further cuts for 18 rated 1992 VHS. Later uncut for DVD and Blu-ray. In the US the Unrated Version is uncut but the R rated version is cut.
Summary Review
: Must Have
Camp caretaker gets horribly burnt as a result of a prank. Five years later he exacts revenge at a summer camp with the help of a pair of shears. Heads and fingers roll.
A former summer camp caretaker, horribly burned from a prank gone wrong, lurks around an upstate New York summer camp bent on killing the teenagers responsible for his disfigurement.
I personally love the
killer in the woods slashers the best and this is the perfect premise. This film starts as a flashback "of course"... The kids at a summer camp play a trick that goes terribly wrong on Cropsy the mean spirited grounds keeper and he is burned
beyond recognition,
Flash back to the woods "summer camp " Cropsy returns to the scene of the crime to wreak havoc and spill PLENTY of blood. This is a MUST HAVE for slasher fans.
Availability
Passed X
(18) after 10s of BBFC cuts for 1981 cinema release
Thorn EMI initially released the video uncut. They then tried to replace rental videos with the BBFC
cut version but most shops stuck with the uncut version. The uncut version of the video was banned as a video nasty in October 1983. It remained on the list throughout the scare
Cannibal Apocalypse is a 1980 Italian/Spanish horror by Anthony M Dawson.
Banned as a video nasty in 1982. Passed 18 after animal cruelty cuts for UK DVD. There is a cut US MPAA R rated version and an uncut MPAA Unrated version.
Summary Review: Horror and action
Cannibalism has become a disease brought back to the US by soldiers returning from Vietnam. French kissing becomes inadvisable as
the plague spreads.
Interesting and disgusting mix of horror and action from the director of Castle of Blood Antonio Margheriti. What makes it work is that there is some nasty gore scenes like the infamous
shotgun wound scene and eating chunks out of human flesh, a cool if cheesy funk soundtrack with a war theme that almost sounds like the theme to "G.I. Joe", a grisly twist in the end and the film is also a metaphore on how the horrors of
vietnam can affect a soldier and this is one of Quentin Taratino's personal faves.
Availability
The uncut video
was released by Replay in July 1982. It was an early casualty of the press panic and was added to the DPP list of banned videos in July 1983. It remained on the list until the end of the scare so became one of the collectible DPP 39s
Cannibal Ferox is a 1981 Italian adventure by Umberto Lenzi. With Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Lorraine De Selle and Danilo Mattei.
Released cut and uncut on pre-cert videos that were destined to become
video nasties. Extensively cut by the BBFC for 2001 DVD. The cuts for violence were waived for 2018 home video, but cuts for animal cruelty have persisted. Note that the running time has been maintained by slowing down the footage of the remainder of the
scenes that have been allowed to remain. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: Delivers the Goods
Three friends out to disprove cannibalism meet two men on the run who tortured and enslaved
a cannibal tribe to find emeralds, and now the tribe is out for revenge.
Not a patch on Deodato's excellent Cannibal Holocaust , which is just as gory and a hell of a lot more realistic, with believable actors and an
intelligent script. In comparison, Ferox seems like just an exploitative rip-off. But taken in its own terms, Cannibal Ferox does deliver the goods (I'm talking gore-wise) with hard-to-watch sexual violence accompanying genuine animal deaths. The
music is cheesy, and again not up to the standards of Holocaust, but it grows on you.
UK: Passed 18 for strong bloody violence, gore after some previous cuts waived but still with 1:55s of BBFC compulsory cuts
for:
2020 Shameless Fan Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2020 Shameless Amazon Prime VoD [UK only] at UK Amazon
2018 Argent / Shameless Limited Edition RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
The BBFC commented:
Compulsory cuts required to sequences of real animal cruelty.
The BBFC commented further in the annual report covering 2017:
Required cuts to remove sight of real animal cruelty that appeared to be orchestrated and directed for the purposes of the film (a jaguar killing a monkey
and a man stabbing a pig and a crocodile).
Although cut by nearly 2 minutes, the running time of the cut version has been maintained by slowing down scenes that have been allowed to remain
total
cut:
6:57s
run:
86:28s
pal:
83:00s
6s
pre-cut 6:51s
UK: Passed 18 after 6:51s of pre-cuts + 6s of BBFC cuts for:
2001 Horror Video/S Gold R0 DVD
2001 Horror Video/S Gold VHS
The BBFC cuts were:
Cut required to sight of small animal on end of rope banging against side of a jeep
From IMDb. The Pre-cuts were:
Removed scene of coati being eaten by a snake whilst the adventurers look on.
Removed scene of a monkey being attacked by a jaguar.
Removed scene of iguana fending off snake
Removed scenes of Pat & Mike tormenting a
native girl about being a virgin and then threatening to hurt her with a knife drawn across her naked breasts
Removed scene of live turtle having its head an legs chopped off.
Removed scene of Mike removing a native's eye with a knife.
Shortened scene of Joe getting speared and his innards becoming a cannibal feast.
Removed scene of Mike being castrated with a machete and then the natives eating the tasty morsel.
Removed flashback to Mike's ex-girl being
kicked in the head.
Removed scene of a crocodile being killed and devoured by natives
Removed scenes of Mike's hand being chopped off.
When Zora Kerowa is killed, this edited version plays as though she has disappeared, never
once showing either the actual event of the aftermath of the famous "hooks through the breasts" death.
After having his skull sliced off, cuts to natives eating his brains.
An e-mail from the BBFC explained further:
Cannibal Ferox was passed '18' by the BBFC in 1983 after approximately 7 minutes of cuts to remove scenes of cruelty to animals, sexual violence and some of the film's
more extreme moments of violence. Before the introduction of the Video Recordings Act in 1984, the BBFC issued a number of such "informal" video certificates but once the VRA came in to effect (at the beginning of 1985), all such
"informally" classified videos had to be judged again under the precise terms of the VRA.
By this stage, both the BBFC cut and uncut versions of Cannibal Ferox (both were released on video in the UK) had
been successfully prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act. It was therefore not possible for the BBFC to provide a formal classification at this stage since our cut version (as well as the uncut version) had been found obscene. The BBFC-cut version
of Cannibal Ferox was seen again for classification last year and was finally approved at '18' earlier this year after one brief cut for animal cruelty. The classified version will be the version passed in 1983. By today's standards the cut
version of the work was judged to be acceptable at '18' and the previous conviction was not felt to be significant today. The cut version was removed from the DPP list at a later date and there have been no prosecutions since the early 1980s.
pre-cut 6:51s
UK: In September 1982 the BBFC unofficially approved an 18 video version cut by 6:51s for:
1982 Replay VHS
Cannibal Ferox was listed as a video nasty in July 1983 and both the cut and uncut versions were successfully prosecuted. The cut version was eventually removed from the list.
uncut
run:
92:51s
pal:
89:08s
UK : Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1982 Replay VHS
The uncut version was released in August 1982. It was listed as a video nasty in July 1983 and both the cut and uncut versions were successfully prosecuted. The uncut version stayed listed
throughout the panic so became a one of the collectable DPP 39's.
Cannibal Holocaust is a 1979 Italian adventure by Ruggero Deodato. With Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi and Perry Pirkanen.
Famously banned in the UK as a Video Nasty in 1983. Unbanned for the heavily cut 2001 DVD. The cuts were reduced to animal violence only for 2011 DVD. Deodato produced a new edit in 2011 to more tidily remove the animal violence. Uncut
in the US and Italy
From IMDb. Unsuccessfully prosecuted as a snuff movie
Ten days after its premiere in Milan, the film was seized by the Italian courts, and director Ruggero Deodato was arrested
and charged with obscenity. He was later charged with murdering several actors on camera, and faced life in prison. The cast had signed contracts requiring them to disappear for a year after shooting, to maintain the illusion that they'd died. Deodato
contacted Luca Barbareschi and told him to contact the three other actors who played the missing film team. When the actors appeared in court, alive and well, the murder charges were dropped.
Summary Review: Very well written plot
Film crew sent into the jungle captures some pretty gruesome local customs and then go on to indulge in a little raping and killing themselves. The natives strike back and the film crew are beaten,
castrated, stripped down to their skeletons and eaten.
Cannibal Holocaust was, first and foremost, a disgusting movie with more violence than I have ever seen. Despite this, it is also one of my favorite movies. It gives a
feeling of Blair Witch done right, even though there are some very obviously contrived scenes in which nobody is holding the camera, but despite some small cosmetic problems this is the best horror movie I have ever seen.
This film suffered repeated outrageous claims of being a snuff movie by the ever-ludicrous gutter press. This can only be a testament to the quality of the film as the TV film crew's demise is presented solely from news footage that they
have supposedly shot.
Versions
uncut
run:
95m
pal:
91m
15
18
France: Uncut for:
Fr (R2) DVD
Denmark: Uncut and 15 rated for:
2015 Another World R0 Blu-ray
2015 Another World R0 DVD
Italy: Uncut and 18 rated for:
CineKult RB Blu-ray
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2014 Grindhouse [Original Theatrical Version + Deodato's New Edit] R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon
and at US Amazon
These releases are missing a few seconds from the last Road to Hell sequence showing prisoners being shot, the dead body of one prisoner and a body being thrown into the back of a truck.
pre-cut
cut:
~28s
run:
95:43s
pal:
91:53s
UK: The pre-cut Ruggero Deodato's New Edit
was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:
2014 Shameless [Deadato's Cinema of Death set] R2 DVD at UK Amazon
Cuts to the cruel killing of a coatimundi ] as per the BBFC cut version.
Various shots of the giant turtle being killed and cut up were cut or hidden by fake film tears
The slicing of the top of a
monkey's head was masked by a fake film tear.
cut
cut:
15s
run:
95:56s
pal:
92:06s
UK: Passed 18 after 15s of BBFC cuts for:
2022 88 Films R0 4K Blu-ray
2014 Shameless [Deadato's Cinema of Death set] R2 DVD
2011 Shameless R0 Blu-ray
2011 Shameless R2 DVD
This version contains the complete last Road to Hell sequence showing prisoners being shot, the dead body of one prisoner and a body being thrown into the back of a truck.
The BBFC cuts are:
to remove the cruel killing of a coatimundi.
The missing footage is replaced with shots of monkeys in the wild and a shot of Monroe and Chaco. Presumable keeps commentary tracks or whatever in synch.
The BBFC explained:
Cannibal Holocaust is a 1980
Italian horror film. It tells the story of a group of documentary film makers who go missing in the rain-forests of South America. An anthropologist who goes in search of the film makers finds cans containing their undeveloped footage. When the processed
footage is viewed, back in New York City, it reveals their fate.
Cannibal Holocaust contains a number of scenes of sexual and sexualised violence that are insufficiently discreet for a 15 classification and
which received varying levels of cuts when the film was previously submitted in 2001. In one scene, we see a native woman receiving a ritual punishment for adultery , which involves her being dragged out of a boat, being tied up, and then being
violently assaulted with a spiked wooden dildo and a ball of mud containing spikes. Although the scene is shocking and some blood is seen, the emphasis is on the disturbing nature of what is happening, rather than on any erotic detail. The moments of
nudity, which are generally shown in longer shot, are well broken up by facial shots of the woman and her attacker, as well as by reaction shots from the disgusted anthropologist and his team who are watching from behind a bush. In another scene, we
briefly see a native woman being attacked by a member of another tribe. However, no detail is visible beyond some undetailed thrusting. Later in the film, we witness the documentary film makers raping a native woman. However, the woman in question is
covered in mud and very little detail of nudity is visible in what is actually quite a chaotic scene. The scene is shot using a hand-held camera, with the woman moving in and out of view behind the thrusting buttocks of the film makers. The emphasis is
firmly on the sadism of the film makers, rather than on any erotic detail, with cutaways to the female film maker protesting about what is being done. Finally, there is a scene in which the female member of the film crew is sexually assaulted and then
killed by the cannibals, in retribution for the violence she and her crew have meted out against the native people. As with the previous scene, the manner of filming is chaotic, with hand-held camera-work and the action often moving in and out of focus
behind other characters and the surrounding vegetation. The Guidelines state Content which might endorse or eroticise sexual violence may require cuts at any classification level . Although cuts were required to all four scenes of sexual violence
in 2001, the BBFC's conclusion today is that the limited detail of nudity, and the frequent intercutting of the scenes with other material, renders the scenes horrific and aversive rather than erotic or likely to eroticise or endorse sexual violence in
the real world.
The BBFC's Guidelines state It is illegal to show any scene 'organised or directed for the purposes of the film that involves actual cruelty to animals. This Act applies to the exhibition of films in
public cinemas, but the BBFC also applies the same test to video works. In 2001, the BBFC permitted two scenes of unsimulated animal killing in Cannibal Holocaust , namely the decapitation of a snake and the stamping to death of a tarantula. In
the case of the snake, the killing was permitted because the decapitation of the snake was instant and therefore comprised a quick clean kill, which is not inherently cruel in terms of BBFC policy. In the case of the tarantula, the killing was permitted
because spiders are invertebrates and are therefore not covered by the relevant legislation, nor by BBFC Guidelines or policy. However, cuts were required to four other sequences in which animals were actually killed, namely a small mammal, a turtle, a
monkey and a pig. On this occasion, the BBFC concluded that the killing of the small mammal, previously cut in 2001, was still in breach of BBFC Guidelines and policy. In the scene in question, a small mammal (described as a muskrat in the film
[but actually a coatimundi ]) is killed using a knife. The animal is repeatedly cut with the knife, resulting in blood loss, and squeals in evident pain and terror.
This protracted killing is a clear breach of BBFC Guidelines and policy in relation to the cruel infliction of pain and terror on an animal and in terms of the cruel goading of an animal to fury. However, careful examination of the other three scenes of
animal killing revealed that, in each case, the animal in question is killed quickly and cleanly. The turtle's neck is completely and instantly severed, with a rapid blow from a machete; the monkey is killed by the first of two rapid blows from a
machete, resulting in its head being cut in two; the pig is killed by a gun shot to the head at close range, resulting in instant death. Although, in the case of the turtle and the pig, there is some sight of the animals' bodies (or body parts)
twitching, this is evidently a post mortem nervous reaction, akin to a headless chicken running around a farmyard. Although the BBFC recognises that these scenes of animal slaughter may be upsetting or offensive to some viewers, it is clear that the
scenes in question depict animals being killed in a quick and clean fashion that is acceptable under BBFC Guidelines and policy and the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, on which that policy is based.
The 2001
decision to cut these scenes was primarily the result of the disgusting and exploitative nature of the sequences, as well as the history of the film as a DPP-listed video nasty , rather than the result of a strict application of BBFC policy. In
spite of any ethical concerns viewers might have about the killing of real animals for film making purposes, removing these sequences would be inconsistent with the BBFC's decisions to permit quick clean kills in several other films, such as Apocalypse Now
. It is clear that these scenes are not illegal and are not likely to be harmful to adult viewers. Indeed, the most likely reaction is disgust and revulsion.
cut
cut:
5:44s
run:
95:56s
pal:
92:06s
UK: Passed 18 after 5:44s of BBFC cuts for:
2001 Protected/Vipco DVD
The BBFC commented:
Cuts required to scenes involving real cruelty to animals and to eroticised sexual violence
The BBFC explained further:
Cannibal Holocaust was not formally submitted to the BBFC until 2001, largely because its reputation as a 'video nasty'
and its long history of prosecutions for obscenity seemed to preclude the issuing of a BBFC certificate. When it was submitted for video and DVD release the BBFC examined the film very carefully in terms of its own published Guidelines.
The
film's presentation of strong sexual violence infringed the Board's strict policy on rape and sexual violence which states that 'Where the portrayal eroticises or endorses sexual assault, the Board is likely to require cuts at any classification level'.
Furthermore, in common with a number of Italian films of the same period, the scenes of cruelty to animals were clearly unsimualted and deliberately orchestrated by the filmmakers. UK law prohibits the public exhibition of cinema films if animals were
cruelly mistreated during their making and the BBFC applies this test also to videos and DVDs.
Nonetheless, the BBFC recognised that the film, although strong, could be made acceptable,
subject to the removal of the above scenes. The distributor therefore agreed to make five minutes 44 seconds of cuts to remove unacceptable elements, after which the film was passed '18' for video and DVD release.
The killing of a coatimundi has been deleted
Our intrepid adventurers witness the riverside murder and mutilation of a woman
presumably by her husband. We don't get to witness:
the girl being dragged through the mud and having her legs forced apart
the girl struggling and being raped with a wooden dildo
the man raising a
mudball with spikes and the subsequent shot of genital mutilation
Another woman getting raped on the river bank has been removed
The disembowelling of a giant turtle has been predictably deleted
A monkey gets his
head sliced open and its blood is drained into a bowl...but not in the censored version
The kicking of a tethered pig has been removed and its subsequent shooting and death
The
rape one of a native girl by 3 men has been reduced
The cannibals eventually overpower the adventurers. The woman in the party gets stripped and raped but not in the UK version.
The woman's death scene is missing nudity shots.
cut
cut:
run:
88:47s
pal:
85:14s
UK: A pre-cut version was released on pre-cert video for:
1982 Go VHS
Go Video pre-cut their February 1982 release. It was quickly labelled as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so is one of the collectable DPP39s
Garish video magazine adverts featuring the iconic VHS cover art for Cannibal Holocaust have been attributed as causing the video nasty moral panic. The other 2 films cited are SS Experiment Camp and Driller Killer.
The Cannibal Man is a 1972 Spanish thriller by Eloy de la Iglesia. With Vicente Parra, Emma Cohen and Eusebio Poncela.
Banned as a video nasty in 2003. Cut by the BBFC for 1983 18 rated VHS. The International Version is uncut and has also been released in Germany and the US. There is also an extended integral version assembled from unique footage from
several other versions, such as the German Cinema Version.
Summary Review: Pseudo-sleazy
Real slaughterhouse footage and scenes of dirty urban slums set the tone for this stark and
obsessive Spanish thriller.
A slaughterhouse employee named Marcos gets attacked by a cabdriver who takes objection when he and his girlfriend are making out in the back seat, and Marcos kills him. This sets in motion a week of
killing, first to cover up the cabdriver's death, and afterward to keep the bodies piling up in his bedroom a s ecret.
Weird, pseudo-sleazy film that works even though it doesn't even attempt to live up to its title - there's *no
cannibalism*.
The dubbing is pretty bad and there's not much gore (most of the nastiness happens off-screen), but there's plenty of atmosphere and a sense of desperation builds in Marco's apartment.
Extended Integral Version/Week of the Killer
Extended Integral Version
run:
107:34s
pal:
103:16s
Spain
Spain: The Extended Integral Version is available on Spanish Blu-ray.
US: The Extended Integral Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated:
2021 Severin [International + Extended Integral Version] R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad
2021 Severin [International + Extended Integral Version] R0 DVD at US Amazon #ad
Thanks to Richard. Although the uncut Spanish Version is the baseline, the film has been issued in different versions, most notably a German Cinema Version. A Spanish company has merged all the available unique footage from the various versions to
create the Extended Integral Version.
3s removed from a shot where Marcos cuts Carmen's throat
uncut
run:
98:09s
pal:
94:13s
UK: The International Version was released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1981 Intervision VHS
It was released in November 1981 and banned as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list
throughout the panic and became one of the collectable DPP39s.
The cover was a flimsy slip case that didn't last long so adding to the rarity of a mint condition cover.
German Cinema Version
German Cinema Version
run:
97:41s
pal:
93:47s
Germany: There also exists a German Cinema Version
Cannibal Terror is a 1981 Spain/France adventure horror by Allan W Steeve. With Silvia Solar, Gérard Lemaire and Pamela Stanford.
Criminals kidnap rich kid and unfortunately hole up in a cannibal infested
jungle. The kid is adopted by the cannibals but the kidnappers donate their intestines for a tug-of-war match.
Summary Review: Fails Miserably
After botching a kidnapping, two
criminals hide with their victim in a friends house in the jungle. After one of them rapes the friend's wife, they're left to be eaten by a nearby cannibal tribe.
Cannibal Terror fails miserably on all accounts. Cannibal films
aren't known for great plots this film literally has no plot. Some lowlife criminals kidnap a girl and run into Cannibals in a jungle. Almost the entire film is filler with pointless, boring dialogue. There is only two gore scenes but nothing viewers
haven't seen in this genre before and better. The worst aspect of the film is the cannibal tribe itself as they don't even look like jungle tribal members. It's a bunch of extras from all different races and hairdos. Some of the tribal members are fat,
middle aged white men and there is even one tribal member with 70's style sideburns!
Availability
Released on video by Modern Films in October 1981. Banned as a video nasty in July 1983, probably down to the title.
Removed from the DPP list in September 1985
Contamination is a 1980 Italian horror by Luigi Cozzi With Ian McCulloch, Louise Marleau and Marino Masé.
Exploding alien pods ripen and burst, any unfortunate
humans in the vicinity join a chain reaction of a slow motion offal explosion.
Summary Review : Odd and cheesy
A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police
detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones.
This was a very odd and cheesy Italian gore flick, it was a
mix of horror and science fiction and it was directed by Luigi Cozzi.
While Contamination was a decent film I just didn't think it was that good, the first half was very promising as we get to see some impressive gore scenes with the
exploding stomachs but then the second half kind of loses steam and becomes slightly boring. The green alien eggs were a knock off from Alien and you could tell that this film was trying to cash in on its success which was typical of Italian horror films
at the time, some of these films were of course great cause you can't take them too seriously and they were usually gorier than the original films.
Contamination has some pretty bad acting and the direction from Luigi Cozzi was rather
low-key with some scenes looking a bit too dark, the pacing was a bit uneven despite having a great opening sequence which had some great suspense and the film also has a weak plot, but if your a gore hound then you won't mind since there were plenty of
great gore scenes.
Availability
A short version was released after 2:40s of unofficial BBFC cuts on 1982 ViP VHS and 1985 European Creative
Films VHS. The video was banned as a video nasty in October 1983. It was dropped from the list in January 1985 though.
Dead and Buried is a 1981 US horror by Gary A Sherman. With James Farentino, Melody Anderson and Jack Albertson.
Uncut by the BBFC for the X rated 1981 cinema release. The same version was released on pre-cert video and banned as a video nasty. Cut by 10s for 1990 VHS. Uncut from 1999. Uncut and R rated in the US
Summary review: Bravo .
In the sea of forgettable Friday the 13th sequels and clones came this little creative and disturbing gem from the early 80's wave of gruesome horror.
Several people passing through the quaint and
picturesque town of Potter's Bluff die terrible, violent deaths only to turn up as upstanding members of the community days later.
Versions
uncut
run:
93:45s
pal:
90:00s
UK: Passed 18 uncut with previous
BBFC cuts waived for:
This horror/zombie film has been passed at '18' as a video, without cuts. The original cinema version was passed uncut as an 'X' in 1981. An unclassified video version was, however, circulated
which was prosecuted in 1984/5 under Section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act. Early cases resulted in guilty pleas or convictions; but the last 9 cases all resulted in acquittals. Nevertheless, when the video version was submitted to the BBFC in 1990,
cuts were required to an early sequence in which a photographer is attacked and burned to death by a mob of zombies, and to a very brief shot of a plaster-covered patient being stabbed in the eye by a zombie nurse with a syringe.
In 1999, the video no longer compares in terms of its 'horror' effects with more recent popular successes such as SCREAM, the HALLOWEEN series, WISHMASTER or SPECIES 2.
The Board has therefore
concluded that audiences are unlikely to suffer any harm from viewing the video, and that it may be released at '18'.
cut
cut:
30s
run:
93:22s
pal:
89:38s
UK: Passed 18 after 30s of BBFC cuts for
1990 VCI VHS
The cuts were:
Cuts were required to an early sequence in which a photographer is attacked with an iron bar, then kicked and burned to death after being dowsed in petrol by a mob of zombies,
A hypodermic being plunged
into the photographers eye has been deleted
There is a very obvious jump in the murder of a hitchhiker - a rock is held above her, and just as it is dropped, it jumps to her body lying on the road the next day. A recent
discussion in the alt.horror newsgroup has revealed that the cut in question is, in fact, soundtrack only - a large squelch being removed!
uncut
run:
93:59s
pal:
90:13s
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
UK Thorn EMI VHS
The uncut Thorn EMI video was listed as a video nasty in November 1983 but was dropped in January 1985
Death Trap is a 1976 US horror by Tobe Hooper. With Neville Brand, Mel Ferrer and Carolyn Jones.
Cut by the BBFC for an X rated 1978 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty
in 1983. Cut by the BBFC for 1992 VHS but uncut for DVD since 2001. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Review: Messed Up
Deranged motel proprietor feeds people to his pet
crocodile. The crocodile eventually ensures justice by eating its master.
Delirious, surreal, and savage, Tobe Hooper's follow-up to his landmark debut Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is one of a kind while bearing the same
signature stamp he left with his predecessor.
A sheer unrelenting onslaught of pure madness, macabre and dark humor. Although not as entirely successful as Chainsaw, Eaten Alive is one messed up little drive in
flick with good performances particularly by Brand as the psycho Inn keeper of "Starlight Hotel". Mumbling incoherently through most of his screen time and sputtering gibberish when audible, Neville Brand is eerily convincing.
The beginning of this picture owes to Psycho in that you meet a character that you are led to believe is the (no pun intended) titular heroine but is quickly dispatched and we are left with the equally sleazy and\or oddball
residents of the locale like ole' country boy Buck (Englund, who's a hoot) or that oddball couple who's dog gets chomped by the gator that lives in the swamp behind the hotel. It's that kind of movie folks so be aware what you're getting into. Creepy,
oddball fun.
Availability
The 1978 cinema release was cut by the BBFC
The first pre-cert video rental release was in 1980 on the VCL label and featured the cut cinema version.
Then Vipco released an uncut
version in July 1982. This got listed as a video nasty in July 1983. But after several unsuccessful prosecutions it was dropped from the list in December 1985
The first BBFC certified video version from Vipco in 1992 fell foul of the
the post Video Nasties scare and suffered 25s of cuts for an 18 certificate.
Passed 18 uncut in 2000 for a 2001 Vipco VHS and a 2003 Vipco DVD
Current UK Status:
Passed 18 uncut
UK: Passed 18 uncut for:
2015 Arrow Video RAB Blu-ray/R12 DVD Combo at UK Amazon
Deep River Savages is a 1972 Italy horror romance by Umberto Lenzi. With Ivan Rassimov, Me Me Lai and Prasitsak Singhara.
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty in 1984. Passed 18 after extensive animal cruelty cuts for 2003 DVD. Slightly fewer cuts for 2016
DVD & Blu-ray. Uncut in the US
Summary Notes: Not much gore
Forerunner of Cannibal Ferox set in South East Asian cannibal infested jungles. Tongue amputations are the order of the day after
snacking on traditionally served monkey brains.
A photographer on assignment in the rain forest is ambushed and held slave by a primitive tribe, until the chief's daughter chooses him as her groom. After being initiated by various
tortures, he becomes a part of the tribe and helps them against modern dangers and a cannibal tribe they're at war with.
I liked this one strictly for its exoticness. Me Me Lay looks great dressed or naked. She has a
great face. I have the Prism edition video. That one is missing a brief cannibal scene that later showed up in Lenzi's Eaten Alive by the Cannibals . The cinematography was well done and I may catch some heat for this but I actually liked the
music.
The love scene in the river came very close to XXX. A well placed bush (no pun intended) kept it soft-core. Not much gore, so jungle flick fans should like it. I know I did.
Availability
UK Censorship History
Rejected for a cinema release in 1975 as The Man from Deep River
Derann released the uncut version on video in November 1982. It was listed as a video nasty in March 1984 but it was
dropped from the list in September 1985
Delirium is a 1979 USA thriller by Peter Maris. Starring Turk Cekovsky, Debi Chaney and Terry TenBroek.
Banned as a video nasty in 1983 until 1985. Passed 18 after BBFC cuts for
1987 18 rated VHS. Passed 18 uncut for 2022 Blu-ray.
Summary Notes
An ex-soldier is hired by local right-wingers as a vigilante to clean up criminals and street people. However, he freaks out and starts
killing off everybody.
This is one of the strangest and definitely one of the most atypical titles to be found in the whole list of infamous Video Nasties. The concept has potential but ends up being confusing and dull.
The first slasher half is rather exciting, with a couple of truly nasty murder sequences and the most laughably inept police investigation ever, but the second half is painfully tedious and derivative of much better films.
Versions
uncut
run:
88m
pal:
84m
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody
violence, nudity:
2022 88 Films (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon titled Delirium
The Devil Hunter is a 1980 Spain / France / West Germany horror adventure thriller by Jesús Franco (as Clifford Brown). Starring Ursula Buchfellner, Al Cliver and Antonio Mayans.
A short version was banned as a video nasty in 1984. The BBFC later passed the complete
film 18 uncut on 2008 DVD.
Summary Review: Plods Along
A Vietnam veteran heads to an island inhabited by cannibals to save a kidnapped model not only from her kidnappers, but also from the cannibals'
lurking Devil god.
Devil Hunter gained notoriety for the fact that it's on the DPP 'Video Nasty' list, but it really needn't have been. There isn't a lot here that warrants banning...which is a shame because I never would have sat
through it where it not for the fact that it's on 'the shopping list'.
The plot actually gives the film a decent base - or at least more of a decent base than most cannibal films - and it follows an actress who is kidnapped and
dragged off into the Amazon jungle. A hunter is then hired to find her, but along the way he has to brave the natives, lead by a man who calls himself The Devil (hence the title).
The film basically just plods along and there
really aren't many scenes of interest. It's a real shame that Jess Franco ended up making films like this because the man clearly has talent; but unfortunately his good films are just gems amongst heaps of crap and Devil Hunter is very much a part of the
crap.
Availability
A pre-cut short version was released on the Cinehollywood label in November 1981
Added to the Video
Nasties list in August 1984. It remained on the list throughout and so became one of the collectable DPP39s. A rare one at that
The BBFC passed the full length 2008 Severin DVD 18 uncut under the title El Canibal but it got released as The Devil
Hunter
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
UK: The Complete Spanish Version was passed 18 uncut for:strong nudity, sex and sexual violence:
Don't Go in the House is a 1979 US horror film by Joseph Ellison. With Dan Grimaldi, Robert Osth and Ruth Dardick.
Cut by the BBFC for 1980 cinema. Banned as a video nasty 1983. Cut by the BBFC for 1987 VHS. Uncut on DVD since 2012. An extended version with additional plot has been released on US Blu-ray.
Summary Review :
A Bit Lacklustre
A slasher film about a victim of child abuse (Dan Grimaldi) who grows up to become a maniacal construction worker. He stalks women at discos, takes them home, then hangs them upside-down in a
special steel-walled room and sets them on fire.
Don't Go in the House gets off to a fairly good start, but after the first murder scene things begin to slowly fall a apart and it goes from a good movie to an average movie that never is
able to get off the ground.
The screenplay written by Joseph Ellison, Ellen Hammill and Joseph R. Masefield starts off well enough with some good insight into the mind of the villain, but there comes a point to where the story never moves forward
and in a sense it feels like the same scene is playing out over and over again.
Don't Go in the House isn't a terrible film, but it's just a bit lackluster, while it does have it's moments it just never reaches its full potential.
Extended Version
uncut
run:
90m
pal:
86m
UK: Passed 18 uncut with a BBFC trigger warning for strong violence, nudity, domestic abuse:
2022 Arrow Limited Edition [Theatrical + Extended Versions] (RB) Blu-ray at UK
Amazon #ad
The longer running time suggests that this is the Extended Version
Don't Go in the Woods is a 1981 USA horror by James Bryan. Starring Jack McClelland, Mary Gail Artz and James P Hayden.
Victims are garrotted, stabbed, impaled and have various limbs lopped off
Summary Notes
Four young campers,
Craig, Peter, Ingrid and Joanie, back-pack through the mountains for a supposedly relaxing weekend in the wilderness.
I f you're into comedy, this movie had deadpan acting, no storyline at ALL (a maniac
roaming around, killing people for no reason, which may not be THAT bad), and a stupid looking killer.
The gore was supplemental and I always recommend this movie for a laugh
Availability
Released uncut on the Video Releasing Organisation label in March 1982
Banned as a video nasty in October 1983. It stayed
on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s
Passed 15 uncut in February 2007
Current UK Status: Passed 15 uncut
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong bloody violence
for:
Don't Go Near the Park is a 1979 USA horror by Lawrence David Foldes. With Aldo Ray, Meeno Peluce and Tamara Taylor.
Vampire cavemen sentenced to eternal life for blood
drinking, incest & cannibalism are rejuvenated in the modern day.
Summary Review: Wonderfully Bad
Two members of a superhuman and pre-historic tribe abuse the treasured secret of eternal
youth. They are cursed to an eternity of old age with no chance to ever die. Now, in present day Los Angeles, their only hope to recapture eternal youth is the ritualistic sacrifice of a 16-year-old female virgin. Their existence is discovered by an
investigative reporter and a young runaway child and this leads to an unexplained and terrifying confrontation.
Everything about this film goes way beyond amateur, from the 'old person' make up, to the Persian rug cavemen clothes,
to the dissolve shot ageing FX. The lighting is abysmal; spot lights are shone straight into the set giving each shot an early silent film style ring of shadow around the edge of the shot. The acting is appalling, especially from the grimacing Crackers
Phinn. The plot progresses at bizarre speeds, some scenes dragging on for way too long and other plot points zooming past at top speed.
Despite all of the above (or perhaps because of it) I love this movie. I really could bang on about it for
days but I won't. If you ever find a copy (which isn't easy) you have to see it. I defy you to find anything worse in such a truly wonderful way.
Availability
Released by Home Video Productions in 1983. Listed as a
video nasty in November 1983 but was later dropped in July 1985.
Passed 18 uncut when submitted for an Anchor Bay DVD in 2006.
Broadcast on the Horror Channel in 2004. Missing some footage of entrails being
removed, but the stomachs were still ripped open with gusto.
Don't Look in the Basement is a 1973 US horror video by SF Brownrigg. With Bill McGhee, Jessie Lee Fulton and Robert Dracup.
Cut by the BBFC for 1977 cinema release. Banned on VHS as a video nasty.
Passed 15 uncut on DVD in 2005. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Review: A must-see for B horror fans
A young psychiatric nurse goes to work at a lonesome asylum following a murder. There, she
experiences varying degrees of torment from the patients.
Take an ensemble cast of good B grade actors, give them a good script, a somewhat original premise, and unobtrusive directing, and you may end up with a film that
over-achieves as much as Don't Look in the Basement did.
The film takes place in a large house which is home to several psychotic individuals. The film starts with the head of the hospital being chopped up with an axe. The rest of the film
builds tension and successfully develops the individual psychoses of the in-mates. After a while it becomes very unclear who is a patient and who is a doctor.
In the end, Don't Look in the Basement is a cleverly plotted film which benefits
from generally good acting and directing and not-overly-ambitious camera work.
Availability
The BBFC cut the 1977 cinema release
Derann released an even shorter version of the film on its Crystal video label in
February 1983. It is thought that this may have been a TV version.
It was listed as a video nasty in August 1984 but was dropped from the list in December 1985
The BBFC waived its film cut
for the 2005 Stax DVD which it passed 15 uncut
Current UK Status: Passed 15 Uncut
UK: Passed 15 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived for:
The Driller Killer is a 1979 USA crime horror by Abel Ferrara. With Abel Ferrara, Carolyn Marz and Baybi Day.
Shortened for 1982 pre-cert VHS which was then famously banned as a video
nasty. A pre-cut version was released on 1999 18 rated VHS. Uncut and 18 rated since 2002. Unrated and uncut in the US.
Summary Review: Dour but Good
Power tools only make a brief
appearance in the film but the cover picture of a power drill boring into a guys forehead probably started the press baying for blood in the video nasties panic.
An artist slowly goes insane while struggling to pay his
bills, work on his paintings, and care for his two female roommates, which leads him taking to the streets of New York after dark and randomly killing derelicts with a power drill.
It has been said of Abel Ferrara that you will
either be turned on by his artistic vision, or be left cold by it. This one fits firmly in the 'like' side of the equation.
The story follows an artist, who, through the pressures of his work and various things going on around him, is slowly
driven insane. His insanity is brought about by lack of money and a punk rock band that has moved in upstairs. We are able to see the frustrations of our 'hero' increase throughout the movie, especially when the plot thickens and several other things in
his life go awry.
The Driller Killer was originally banned as a "video nasty" because of the notoriety it gained for it's cover art, as opposed to it's content. This can be seen clearly by the fact that The Driller Killer
isn't actually that gory. The horror doesn't come as a result of the huge amounts of gore spurting from the wounds, but rather from the noise that the drill makes while being used, and the insanity of the main character.
Overall, the Driller
Killer is a creative and inventive insight into insanity.
Cover Art
The lurid and iconic cover for Driller Killer. along with Cannibal Holocaust and SS Experiment Camp, has been attributed to the kicking
off of the video nasty moral panic. It seemed to be promotions based on these covers that first alerted the press and politicians to high street video shops being awash with films that would never have been passed by the British censors. Maybe these
claims would have not gained much traction if they had been based only on the actual content of the films.
Availability
A
shortened version missing a non violent scene was released by Vipco in February 1982. It was one of the iconic early batch of video nasties banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list
throughout the panic so is one of the collectable DPP 39s.
It rema ined banned in UK until 1999 when it was passed 18 with 54s of pre-cuts .
It has been passed 18 uncut
ever since the ILC Prime DVD of 2002.
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence for:
2016 Arrow Limited Edition Steelbook (RB) Blu-ray/R2 DVD Combo at UK Amazon
2016
Arrow Special Edition (RB) Blu-ray/R2 DVD Combo at UK Amazon
The Evil Dead is a 1981 USA horror by Sam Raimi. With Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss and Richard DeManincor.
Cut by the BBFC for cinema release. This cut cinema version was then banned
as one of the iconic video nasties. Further cut for a BBFC approved VHS release in 1990. Passed uncut for DVD in 2001. Uncut in the US
Summary Review: Raimi is already a legend
Raimi is already a
legend, because he created 'The Evil Dead', without a doubt one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Made on a shoe string budget as a labour of love, it still remains Raimi's best movie. He has subsequently worked on bigger projects with bigger
names but it is arguable whether he has ever surpassed the invention, thrills, energy and sheer fun of this. And why Bruce Campbell never became a genuine movie star after his debut here, and not just a much loved cult figure, is a complete mystery to
me.
'The Evil Dead' is a modern horror classic and absolutely ESSENTIAL viewing for any self-respecting movie buff! It doesn't get much better than this!
This cut cinema version was transferred to video by Palace. It was banned as a video nasty in October 1983, but was dropped from the banned list in September 1985.
Video re-released after further 1:06s of BBFC cuts, now totalling 1:55s, in 1990
Passed uncut for the Anchor Bay DVD of 2001
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence, scene of sexual violence:
2018 cinema release
UK: Passed 18 uncut with all previous BBFC cuts waived for:
Evilspeak is a 1981 USA horror by Eric Weston. With Clint Howard, RG Armstrong and Joe Cortese.
Fun starts when an ancient tome is unearthed and used to summon up a pack of man eating pigs into an unfortunates girls bedroom. Decapitation,
disembowelments and open heart surgery with a sword follow. The climax involves a nail launched from a crucifix flying into the baddies head.
Summary Review: Stands up well
A military cadet
who happens to be a social outcast taps into a way to summon demons and cast spells on his tormentors through his computer.
It's strange when you see a film for the first time in twenty years, you expect it to have the same
impact as it did when you first saw it as a gore-hungry teenager. And of course it can't, but it does stand up remarkably well.
Stuart disagrees: I love cheesy B movie horror, but this was an overlong borefest. There are
2 death scenes during the film that are minimal in gore, then by the time the final act comes, you really don't care about the cheesy quick cut gore.
Availability
Released uncut on video (Videospace) in August
1983. The distributor later replaced this with a pre-cut version
Banned as a video nasty in March 1984 (both cut & uncut versions). It stayed listed
throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP 39s
Exposé is a 1976 UK horror thriller by James Kenelm Clarke. With Udo Kier, Linda Hayden, Fiona Richmond.
Cut by the BBFC for 1975 cinema release. Released uncut on pre-cert VHS
but was later banned as a video nasty reaching DPP39 status as it stayed banned throughout the moral panic. Cut by the BBFC for releases from 1997. Released uncut in the US in 2013.
Summary Review: Sleazy and Gruesome
Writer Paul Martin has scored a massive hit with his first novel and has retreated to a remote cottage in the heart of the English countryside to concentrate on his follow up. He's accompanied by his new secretary, Linda, a
housekeeper and occasionally his lover Suzanne. However there is something strange about Linda and soon the bodies begin to pile up.
Udo Kier is decent as a highly unlikeable writer and Linda Hayden is excellent as his
secretary. She openly masturbates few times and has a great lesbian encounter with Fiona Richmond.
The violence is quite tame except for the bathroom murder scene which is pretty nasty. The direction is lifeless, the
characters are unpleasant and the film is slightly dull. Still I enjoyed it and you should too, if you like exploitation cinema.
Availability
Passed X for a cinema release with approximately 3 minutes of
cuts in 1975
The uncut Intervision video was banned as a video nasty in March 1984. It then stayed on the
list throughout the panic and therefore became one of the collectable DPP39s
It was also notable in that this was the only UK video that achieved the DPP39 status.
Faces of Death is a 1981 US documentary video by Conan Le Cilaire. With Michael Carr, Samuel Berkowitz and Mary Ellen Brighton.
A heavily cut version was banned as a vide nasty in 1982. It was passed 18
by the BBFC in 2003 with cuts for animal cruelty. It is uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US and there is an extended version on Dutch VHS.
Summary Review : Quite a reputation
Mixed
bag of death scenes, badly acted surgical and autopsy scenes, monkey brain eating, phony video footage of death by alligator and bear, political assassinations etc.
Faces of Death has quite a reputation. Needless to say, there's
no way the film will live up to its own hype. The narration is predictable, all the scenes involving human death are faked, and the final twenty minutes are basically newsreel footage, which we've all seen elsewhere. The film runs around 105 minutes,
which is way too long for something of this nature.
However, the film is now a cultural icon and it's most definitely worth seeing, provided you're a fan of horror movies, exploitation films, or bizarre fringe relics.
The only real death you see is in the beginning where we see all sorts of animals slaughtered. It's not as bad as it sounds though. The animals weren't killed for the film, but rather as part of the routine slaughtering
that happens everyday.
Versions
Extended Version
run:
105m
pal:
101m
Netherlands
Netherlands: An Extended Version is available on VHS
US: The Extended Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
15m 42s. A shot of a man holding a long knife is longer (at the end of a reel).
20m 33s. Two extra shots of streets in the Middle East
32m 28s. An extra medium close up of a man (at the end of a reel).
101m 14s. A complete
extra 2m 6s sequence involving a psychic
However the Extended Version is missing a gas chamber execution scene that has appeared on a German release (albeit only in VHS quality)
cut
cut:
2:19s
run:
103:26s
pal:
99:18s
UK: Passed 18 after 2:19s of BBFC cuts for:
2003 International Trading/Screen Entertainment R2 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Compulsory cuts required to sight of fighting dogs and monkey being cruelly beaten to death.
The BBFC have also clarified
exactly which part of the monkey eating scene has been cut.
The part of the scene that shows the brains being eaten (out of an obviously fake rubber head) has NOT been cut. What we HAVE cut is the
material leading up to that in which a clearly real and clearly terrified monkey ("goaded to fear and fury" as the Animals Act puts it) is brought to the table in a special 'monkey eating' contraption and is then bashed on the head. It seems
entirely possible that the head bashing was done with rubber hammers and the monkey came to no harm. However, the monkey was clearly - at least in the short term - restricted in a cage/head clamp and terrified and this is prohibited by law.
UK: A heavily pre-cut version was banned as a video nasty for:
19882 Atlantis VHS
A video heavily cut by 32:36s was released by Atlantis Video Productions in September 1982. This was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed banned throughout the panic and so became
one of the collectable DPP39s
Fight for your Life is a 1977 Canadian crime drama by Robert A Endelson. With Robert Judd, Catherine Peppers and Lela Small.
Banned by the BBFC for 1981 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty 1984.
Not seen since in the UK. Uncut in the US.
Summary Review : Disturbing Scenes
Strange entry in the list in that most of the video is taken up by talking about
vengeance rather than getting on with the job.
Three escaped convicts seek refuge at the home of a black minister and his family, there the family is humiliated and beaten. When his daughter is violated the
family begin to embark on some vengeance.
A film which has very little to offer other than racial hatred and some rather disturbing scenes of violence. But so became a grindhouse classic.
Availability
Banned from a cinema release in 1981
The 1982 uncut video release from Vision On was banned as a video nasty in September 1984 a nd remained on the DPP list throughout the
panic and so became one of the collectable DPP39's
Flesh for Frankenstein is a 1973 Italian/French horror by Paul Morrissey. With Joe Dallesandro and Udo Kier.
Heavily cut by the BBFC for 1975 cinema release. Then less heavily cut for 1982 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty in 1984. Less cut for 1996 VHS and uncut for 2006 DVD. Uncut and MPAA X rated in
the US.
Summary Revie w: Perverse
A very good film from the Warhol/Morrissey partnership. It features a decent stab at the Frankenstein
legend featuring a fair few intentional laughs
Udo Kier is astounding as the mad Baron Frankenstein, Arno Juerging is great as his idiot assistant Otto, and Monique Van Vooren holds her own as Frankenstein's wife-sister,
whose insatiable sexual appetite is fed by hunky Joe Dallesandro.
The quality productions values add to the package and it justifiably gets rated as one of the best campy horrors of the time.
Versions
uncut
run:
94:51s
pal:
91:03s
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence with
previous BBFC cuts waived for:
Cuts to shots of the Baron smearing blood across the breasts of a female corpse
and sexually caressing the body
cut
cut:
2:08s
run:
92:37s
pal:
88:55s
UK: The cut UK Cinema Version was released in November 1982 for:
1982 Vipco VHS
There is famous scene where the Baron has an orgasmic grope amongst his creations innards and proclaims that To know life you must fuck
death in the gall bladder . (or vice versa). This contributed to the wind up of the frenzied press and the video got added to the video nasties list in March 1984. It stayed on the list
throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP 39s
cut
cut:
2:08s
run:
92:39s
pal:
88:57s
UK: Passed 18 after 2:08s of BBFC cuts for:
1982 cinema release
uncut
run:
94:58s
pal:
91:10s
Released uncut for:
1981 Video Gems VHS
cut
cut:
8m
run:
pal:
sub:
95:47s
UK: Passed X after about 8 minutes of BBFC cuts for:
Forest of Fear is a 1980 USA Sci-Fi horror by Charles McCrann. Starring Charles McCrann, Beverly Shapiro and Dennis Helfend.
A shortened version was banned as a UK Video Nasty in 1983. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Review : Cheesy Classic
This is one of those cheesy classics from the 70's. I enjoyed it somewhat.
A group of people growing dope get dusted with a chemical meant to kill their crop. They turn into flesh eating zombies and try to
kill campers in the same area.
Not one of the goriest nasties but does have a few violent set pieces.
Availability
The November 1982 Monte video release is missing the epilogue
about FBI agent quitting his job but all the violence was intact
It was added to the DPP list of video nasties in November 1983 and stayed on the list
throughout the panic, so becoming one of the collectable DPP39s
Frozen Scream is a 1975 US video by Frank Roach. With Renee Harmon,
Lynne Kocol and Wolf Muser.
Banned as a video nasty in 1984. Not released in the UK since. US uncut and MPAA R rated in the US. There are few international releases too.
Summary
Review: For bad movie fans
V ery few nasty bits bar an injection into an eyeball.
A pretty lame horror flick about a scientist's attempts to make people
immortal. This is a bad movie, featuring several funny parts. I particularly liked the scene of two women in the hospital talking, when out of nowhere the policeman narrator's voice is dubbed over the conversation. It's just sloppily put together.
After watching it again. I now value Frozen Scream. Some stretches of boredom, but more amusement than I had originally thought. Don't go too far out of your way to see it, but bad movie fans should find something of interest here.
Availability
Released on video in 1983 by Home Video Productions . It was added to the video nasty list in August 1984 but was soon dropped by October 1984
Current UK
Status: Still banned
Germany : It was released on DVD in Germany in 1997 with an English soundtrack for:
The Funhouse is a 1981 US horror by Tobe Hooper With Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson and Jeanne Austin.
Uncut for an X rated 1981 cinema release. Bizarrely banned as a video nasty on 1983 VHS but later passed 18 uncut for 1987 VHS. Passed 15 uncut for VHS. Uncut in the US.
Summary Review: Underrated slasher
Four teenage friends spent the night in a carnival funhouse and are stalked by a deformed man in a Frankenstein mask.
This is an effectively underrated slasher entry. One of it's most impressive feats
is that it gives us a nice carnival atmosphere with some interesting sights. The setting is the best thing about this, as great pains is taken to turn the early part into setup, and this does create a great atmosphere for later on in the film.
This little gem has minimum bloodletting but its good, its better than good. It has a genuine sense of dread and a fear and paradoxically, an understanding of human vulnerability and mutation.
Versions
uncut
run:
94:56s
pal:
91:08s
UK: Passed 15 uncut for moderate horror, sex, violence and threat for:
UK: A shortened version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
1987 CIC VHS
Shortened by about 3m by deleting some uncontentious plot and scenes of reefer smoking.
shortened
UK: A shortened version was released without censorship cuts for:
1983 CIC VHS
The video was added to the DPP list of video nasties in September 1984 and was dropped in June 1985
Bizarrely banned as a video nasty . It has been suggested that the video
appears on the list due to a confusion with another film Last House on Dead End Street that is also known as The Fun House.
The Gestapo's Last Orgy is a 1977 Italian prison film by Cesare Canevari. With Adriano Micantoni, Daniela Poggi and Maristella Greco.
Banned in the UK as a Video Nasty. Banned by the BBFC for video release in
2021. Available uncut in the US but there is also a cut version.
Bannable scenes include girls being dunked in quick-lime, girls fellating pistols and sodomising the commandant with the butt of a whip.
Summary Review: Way Better than
Expected
In the tradition of THE NIGHT PORTER, SALON KITTY and SALO only far more depraved comes perhaps the most notorious Nazisploitation epic of them all: Daniela Levy stars as a beautiful young death camp prisoner
forced into a nightmare of brutality, torment and sexual degradation. But will a Commandant's vilest urge trigger her ultimate vengeance? Marc Loud co-stars in this fetid slice of filth-strudel
Caligula
Reincarnated as Hitler was way better than what I expected. The young blonde star of the film is gorgeous and someone both men and women would find attractive to sleep with. There are some five star sexual violence scenes that are unfortunately too
brief. Beatings, whippings, gang raping of women prisoners, dipping naked women into vats of lime, hanging the young blonde star nude and upside down over a box of live rats! I mean, hey you "sicko" Nazi fans, is this something or what?
There are no actual hardcore sex scenes, however, there are multiple simulated sex scenes that are quite hot to watch.
Versions
banned
run:
96m
pal:
92m
UK: Banned by the BBFC for:
2021 88 Films Blu-ray
The BBFC commented:
THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY is an Italian exploitation film, from 1977, in which a Jewish woman revisits the site of a concentration camp in which she was formerly imprisoned and subjected to
torture, terrorisation, humiliation and sexual violence.
BBFC Guidelines state that: As a last resort, the BBFC may refuse to classify a work --.where a central concept of the work is unacceptable, such as a sustained focus on
rape, other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or sadistic violence.
THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY is largely composed of scenes of strong sadistic violence, humiliation, degradation and non-consensual sexual activity, including
rape, all of which occurs within a clearly anti-Semitic context. Its central concept is therefore unacceptable, and the sadistic and sexually abusive material it contains is too pervasive to be effectively addressed by cuts.
Accordingly, the BBFC has refused classification to this work.
At approximately 47:00s the sight of a penis has been darkened
cut
cut:
10:48s
run:
84:18s
pal:
80:56s
UK: Pre-cut for Pre-cert video release for:
1984 Videoshack VHS
1983 VFP VHS
The video was released in 1983 by VFP with a missing 10:48s scene of an Aryan fantasy and a feast of human flesh. The video was re-released in 1984 by
Videoshack.
It was added to the DPP list of banned video nasties in March 1984 and stayed listed throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP39s. The Videoshack version is
particularly rare.
The House by the Cemetery is a 1981 Italian horror film by Lucio Fulci With Catriona MacColl & Paolo Malco.
Cut by the BBFC for X rated 1982 cinema release. This cut version was
released on pre-cert video and was banned as a video nasty. It was then heavily cut for BBFC approved VHS in 1988. The cuts were reduced for 2001 DVD and later waived for 2009 DVD. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Apparently
praised by the Sunday Times for its constraint but still includes decapitation, stabbing in the head, scalping, a throat ripping, a bat attack and more.
The banned video had already been cut to remove the decapitation of the baby
sitter and most of the violence committed with a poker.
Summary Review: Dread and Fear
This is the third in a loose trilogy of films by Italian master of the macabre Lucio Fulci set in New England
that evoke the uncanny and cosmic terrors of H.P. Lovecraft.
At times Fulci succeeds very well in creating an atmosphere of dread and fear, and the film is not without some subtle moments of terror, due mainly to an eerie
soundtrack and a couple of creepy kids. But fans of Fulci and Italian horror cinema in general are not interested in the type of subtle scares one might find in ghost stories. Although this film is not without its moments (throats ripped out, maggot
ridden bodies and decapitation), the violence seems quite muted compared to other Fulci films.
Availability
The cinema release of 1982 was passed X after 1:26s of cuts
The cut cinema version was released on Videomedia VHS in January 1983 but was banned as a video nasty in November 1983. It remained on
the list through out the panic so became one of the collectable DPP 39's
House on the Edge of the Park is a 1980 Italian horror thriller by Ruggero Deodato With David Hess and Annie Belle.
Banned by the BBFC for 1981 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Unbanned after 12 minutes of cuts in 2002. Cuts reduced to 43s in 2011, and then uncut for 2023 Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review:
Interesting yet Chilling
A couple of rapists Alex and Ricky who are invited to a rich person's party. They decide to make their own cruel and twisted kind of fun such as murder and rape.
A harsh and
unsettling Italian horror thriller from director Ruggero Deodato who definitely knows how to shock his audience.
The acting isn't all that great but the music is good with a funky disco song, some gory violence with
torture, nudity, and sleaze abound.
Versions
uncut
run:
92m
pal:
88m
UK: Passed 18 uncut for sexual
violence, sadistic violence, strong threat:
UK: Passed 18 for strong sexual violence and threat after 43s of BBFC cuts for:
2014 Shameless [Deadato's Cinema of Death set] R2 DVD
2011 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Company was required to make cuts to one sequence of sexualised violence in which a razor is traced over a woman's naked body, after which her body is cut with the razor.
According to Shameless, the BBFC originally asked for 16 cuts totalling 1:20s. The BBFC was asked to think again, and it reduced the cuts by 37s, leaving 43s still cut.
The waived cut was 37s to the sex scene between Alex and Lisa which had
previously been cut due to the questionability of whether or not Lisa is enjoying her ordeal.
sight of razor being traced between woman's breasts.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breast and nipple.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breasts and nipples.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breast
and nipple and over her body.
sight of razor being traced over woman's stomach, with her breast visible.
sight of razor being eased inside woman's jeans.
As man approaches woman with razor blade, remove all sight of breast and
arm being slashed with razor.
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm.
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again).
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again, for a third time).
close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals.
close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals (again).
sight of razor cutting down woman's body, between her breasts.
cut
cut:
11:43s
run:
79:15s
pal:
76:05s
UK: Passed 18 after 11:43s of BBFC cuts for:
2009 Cornerstone R2 DVD
2002 Protected/Vipco R2 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Cuts required to several sequences of sexual violence, humiliating depictions of female nudity and gross violence
From IMDb:
BBFC removed most of the rape and assault scenes
heavily edited the razor-slashing of Cindy
heavily edited the opening murder scene
removed shots of Tony's head being slammed against a table.
uncut
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1982 Skyline VHS
Released in October 1982, it was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s
Human Experiments is a 1980 US thriller by Gregory Goodell. With Linda Haynes, Geoffrey Lewis and Ellen Travolta.
A short version was passed for cinema without BBFC cuts. The video was
banned as a video nasty for a while. No UK release since but uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Review: Women in Prison
Woman in peril when falsely imprisoned in an asylum. The
mandatory mad doctor is experimenting in catatonic shock induced by spiders and bugs.
Country singer Rachel Foster (Linda Haynes) is undoubtedly the unluckiest person alive as she stumbles upon a young kid who has just
slaughtered his family.
She shoots the kid (he goes into a coma), resulting in a life sentence after the crooked Sheriff pins all the murders on her. But this is no ordinary prison as the Warden (Mercedes Shirley) and Dr.
Kline (Geoffrey Lewis) are conducting bizarre behavioural experiments on their charges.
There are some memorable bits in this and, on a whole, it is a pretty solid women in prison entry with a few nice twists. Lewis does a
great job as the creepy doctor and their is a nice supporting role from Ellen Travolta. Haynes is an attractive lead and isn't afraid to deliver the genre required nudity.
Director Gregory Goodell excels in the film's last
third where Foster's nightmares come to life to haunt her. Sadly, he went on to Lifetime movies exclusively after this.
Availability
The BBFC passed the 1979 cinema release without cuts.
The video was released
by Jaguar in 1981. It was listed as a video nasty in July 1983 but was soon dropped in March 1984.
I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses is a 1978 Canada mystery drama by Murray Markowitz Starring Elke Sommer, Donald Pilon and Chuck Shamata
Briefly banned as a video nasty in 1984. A cut version was released on VHS
in 1984 and 1986. Unut and MPA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: Unexceptional whodunit
Stars Elke Sommer and features electrocution in a swimming pool and a paving slab being
dropped on someone's head.
A supposed dramatic account of a real life murder case, Canadian courtroom drama I Miss You Hugs And Kisses could be mistaken for the kind of mid-afternoon entertainment normally lapped up by
bored housewives and easily pleased geriatrics: with its unexceptional whodunit plot crammed with intrigue, adultery, blackmail, and murder, one could be excused for thinking that Angela Lansbury or Dick Van Dyke might pop up in the final reel to solve
the case.
Viewers are treated to graphic killings (Sommers head is staved in and a young woman is stabbed in the stomach), nudity and sex, genuine slaughterhouse footage, and even a touch of necrophilia (one of the possible
murderers, an escaped lunatic, enjoys raping his victims after he has killed them).
Although not overly shocking by today's standards, these scenes seem so out of place in this otherwise routine thriller that they actually manage to
be disturbing.
I saw this video from YouTube about the BeyondFest Festival. At the end (at 41m32s) they show a brief
video clip of what Severin are releasing in 2022, the pool scene in a red tint is from I Miss You. I got out my VHS rip to check and it's the same.
Worldwide: Available on
video from YouTube titled I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses
cut
cut:
1:06s
run:
85:55s
pal:
82:29s
UK: Passed 18 after 1:06s of cuts for:
1986 Heron VHS titled Drop Dead Dearest
UK: A cut pre cert version was released:
1984 VideoForm VHS
Both of the above versions are cut with the same running time. Therefore it is not clear who to attribute the cuts to.
uncut
run:
86:53s
pal:
83:24s
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1984 Intercity VHS titled I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses
The Intercity pre-cert video was branded as a video nasty in August 1984. It was soon dropped in October 1984.
Although nominally uncut there are reports of untidy edits which suggest
earlier cuts were made for unknown reasons.
I Spit on Your Grave is a 1978 US horror thriller by Meir Zarchi Starring Camille Keaton, Eron Tabor and Richard Pace
The film was banned as one of the most notable video nasties in 1983. It was unbanned after massive 7m:02s of BBFC cuts for 2001 and 2006 DVD. These cuts were reduced to 2m:54s in 2010, and to 1m:41s for 2020 Blu-ray. Cut again by the BBFC
for 4K Blu-ray in 2022. Cut in the US for an R rating but MPAA Unrated releases are uncut.
The film is evenly paced and unrelenting. One is forced to
confront the brutality of rape and violence.
The actress is quite convincing and deserves recognition. The men are sickening and easily hated; they are just vicious animals without any redeeming qualities, yet they are believable.
Without question, the rape scenes are some of the most disturbing moments in cinematic history. The castration scene is unparalleled.
UK: Passed 18 for sexual violence, sadistic violence, nudity after unspecified BBFC advised cuts:
2022 Kaleidoscope Collector's Edition R0 4K Blu-ray/(RB) Blu-ray Combo
The BBFC commented:
This submission of the film was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that compulsory cuts to reduce scenes of sexual violence would be necessary, in order to achieve an 18 rating.
When the film was submitted for formal classification, the shots in question had been removed and the film was classified 18.
cut
cut:
1:41s
run:
99:33s
pal:
95:34s
sub:
101:14s
UK: Passed 18 for sexual violence, sadistic violence, nudity after 1:41s of compulsory BBFC cuts:
2020 Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment video
The BBFC commented:
Company was required to make cuts to scenes of sexual violence in order to remove potentially harmful material.
cut
cut:
2:54s
run:
100:13s
pal:
96:12s
UK: Passed 18 after 2:54s of BBFC cuts for:
2020 Kaleidoscope Special Edition RB Blu-ray
2020 Kaleidoscope Special Edition R2 DVD
2010 101 Films Blu-ray
2010 101 Films DVD
The BBFC commented on their cuts:
Company was required to make cuts to scenes of sexual violence in order to remove potentially harmful material.
In its Case Study, the BBFC further explained about the reduced cuts:
In 2010, the BBFC was asked to take another look at the film. The BBFC carefully considered the cuts made in 2001 and concluded that they were
excessive.
Although the cuts had successfully removed the most eroticised elements of nudity, they had also removed some of the horror of the rapes, most notably the scene in which Jennifer is raped over a rock, which had been
deleted entirely. On this occasion, it was concluded that any material that emphasised the horrors of sexual violence, whilst not focussing principally on nudity, could be reinstated. However, the moments that seemed to focus on nudity in a prurient and
exploitative manner, as well as the moments that emphasised the enjoyment of the rapists, were still subjected to cuts. In total, two minutes 54 seconds were cut in 2011.
UK: A pre-cut reframed version was passed 18 with an additional 41s of cuts for:
2006 International Trading/Screen Entertainment Special Edition R0 DVD
The BBFC explained their additional cuts
Cut was required to remove images of a woman being raped over a rock
The distributors claimed that the missing 7 minutes were restored prior to resubmission. This is not the case. The latest submission was pre-cut by the distributor basically in line with the BBFC's 2001 cuts list. However, this time they decided to
make the cuts differently (and, in fairness, more smoothly) than on the previous submission. Some of the cuts have been made by reframing (rather than removing) unacceptable material. This means that certain sequences that were previously cut are now
partially present, albeit in a reframed version. As for the 41 seconds of cuts, these occurred at the one point where the BBFC didn't feel that the reframing (and their other tricks, such as use of slow motion) achieved the effect required by the 2001
cuts list. Basically, they had reframed the rape over the rock so that you couldn't see the woman being raped (she was below screen) but you could still see the attackers thrusting and enjoying the attack. The BBFC asked for this to be removed.
cut
cut:
7:02s
run:
95:53s
pal:
92:03s
UK: Passed 18 after 7:02s of BBFC cuts for:
2005 Anchor Bay Box of the Damned R2 DVD
2005 International Trading/Screen Entertainment VHS
2001 International
Trading/Screen Entertainment VHS
The BBFC commented on their cuts:
Compulsory cuts were required to remove several sequences of sexual violence and humiliating depictions of female nudity in line with published Sexual Violence Guidelines.
All cuts are to the gang rape scenes - no cuts in the 'revenge' section.
uncut
run:
100:49s
pal:
96:47s
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert VHS for:
1982 Wizard/Astra VHS
Released on VHS in January 1982 first under the Wizard label and then labelled Astra (Astra were UK distributors for US based Wizard).
The video was one of the prime targets of the moral press and it was listed as a
Video Nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout so is therefore one the collectable DPP39s
banned
Banned
Ireland : The version with
BBFC cuts from 2010 was banned on video by the Irish censor in 2010.
Prohibited in accordance with Section 7 of The Video Recordings Act 1989 on the grounds that in the opinion of the Acting Director
of Film Classification it depicts acts of gross violence and cruelty (including torture) towards Humans
Inferno is a 1980 Italy horror by Dario Argento. With Leigh McCloskey, Irene Miracle and Eleonora Giorgi.
Apartment is inhabited by an evil spirit that causes a number of deaths
including, stabbing, guillotining, and drowning.
Summary Review: My own favourite
This is my own favourite Argento movie, but if you try and work out the plot it will drive you nuts. It's best
viewed as a dark and incredibly gory fairytale and companion-piece to Suspiria.
Irene Miracle becomes curious about the history of the old New York mansion block where she lives. Big mistake, but oh forget the logic. Just
lap up the marvellous set-pieces: a swim through an underwater apartment (why is it flooded? don't even ask!), a witchy teenager and a cat who materialise during a music tutorial, a slasher murder set to the Slave's Chorus from Nabucco, a rat attack in
Central Park.
The soundtrack is an audacious blend of Verdi and Keith Emerson. Sheer bliss.
Availability
The BBFC cut the 1981 cinema release.
20th Century Fox released the
video uncut which was then listed as a video nasty in August 1984. It was dropped from he list in September 1985.
The BBFC cut 28s from the 1987 Film & Video release
Island of Death is a 1972 US/Greek horror by Nico Mastorakis. With Robert Behling, Jane Lyle and Jessica Dublin.
Heavily cut for 1976 X rated cinema release. Banned as a very famous video nasty in 1983. Even a heavily cut version was banned for official BBFC approved release in 1987. Less cut for 2003 DVD and finally uncut for 2010 DVD.
Summary Review: Rough Diamond
Island of Perversion is a rough diamond from the deep seas of sickness, another gem from 1970s - the golden age of Grindhouse and exploitation! A film where you
can still smell the dirt from the backyard and railway station cinemas it was shown in! But it´' a great one, I enjoyed every second of it!
The story is about two totally weird siblings who travel to Mykonos to free the
peaceful Greek island from all those who are perverted scum in their eyes: gays, lesbians, nymphomaniacs, hippies... Unfortunately, the version that I watched was cut, so I didn't have the chance to see the notorious goat-rape!
Even though the violence is not that graphic in this film, the director seemed to be possessed by the ambition to make one of the most depraved movies ever! Loved the bad surprise ending!
Versions
uncut
run:
105:57s
pal:
101:43s
UK: Passed 18 uncut after previous
BBFC cuts waived for:
The distributor was required to make several compulsory cuts to scenes of sexual violence, sexualised violence and a dehumanising sexual activity (urolagnia)
The urination sequence was cut showing Christopher urinating on the naked Patricia
Cut scene showing Christopher kicking Patricia and then banging her head on the floor
A bathroom rape is mostly deleted showing two hippies trying to
rape Jane.
Significant amounts cut from Chris using a blazing spray can to burn the face of Lesley
Cut scene showing Chris trying to rape a naked woman in the shower and then killing her with a sickle into her back that protrudes from
her chest
Significant cuts to a shepherd raping Jane in a bar with Chris watching. And later the shepherd raping Chris
banned
pre-cut
cut:
13:00s
run:
93:26s
pal:
89:42s
UK: A short version, presumably the cut UK cinema was banned by the BBFC for:
1987 Hologram VHS titled Psychic Killer 2
uncut
run:
106:56s
pal:
102:39s
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1982 AVI VHS titled Island of Death
Island of Death was released in November 1982 and briefly appeared on the video nasties list in November 1983 but was deleted by the next issue. There may have been a confusion with
another film with the same name by Narcisco Ibanez Serrador. The video returned to the list in October 1985 and remained on the list throughout so becoming one of the collectable DPP39s
The Killer Nun is a 1979 Italy horror mystery thriller by Giulio Berruti. Starring Anita Ekberg, Paola Morra and Alida Valli.
Summary Review:
Well worth checking out
Patients are killed in a variety of exotic ways, perforated with pins,
kicked to death, thrown out of window etc. These deaths resemble accounts of martyrdom often told by a drunkard, dopehead, lecherous old nun, Anita Ekberg. Also includes a bit of lesbian nun depravity.
Anyone
familiar with nunsploitation will recognise this as a stand out film.
There are some very atmospheric set pieces in the film Anita Ekberg's flashbacks and the giallo inspired murder of the old woman.
The dubbing detracts from the power of the film by having cheesy actors do the overdubs. Some of the editing is a bit sloppy but Italian exploitation fans are well used to this. The gorgeous Paola Morra is
worth the price of the film alone. Well worth checking out.
Availability
Released on video by Techno Film. It was listed as a video nasty in August 1984 but was dropped by July 1985
Redemption video passed 18
with 13s of cuts in 1993
2006 Argent (Shameless) DVD Passed 18 uncut
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut.
Passed 18 uncut with cuts waived for:
2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 24th
October 2011
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 USA horror by Wes Craven. Starring Sandra Peabody, Lucy Grantham and David Hess.
In the US the Original Theatrical Version was uncut and X rated but was soon heavily cut for local censorship requirements and then for a series of attempts made in
attaining an R rating. Much of the material cut for an R rating has now been declared lost. In 1986 director Wes Craven assembled his best remaining material previously cut from the film and declared that this version was his Director's Cut. It was
released in the US Unrated by the MPAA.
The R rated version was banned from 1974 UK cinema release by the BBFC and the Greater London Council. The film, presumably still in the R rated version was released in the UK when BBFC certificates were not
required but it was soon banned as a 'video nasty'. The BBFC continued its ban with the Unrated version being banned from cinema release in 2000.
In 2001 the DVD was resubmitted and was again banned, but this time cuts were being discussed. A
resubmission in 2002 resulted in a BBFC offer of an 18 rating after cuts. The distributors appealed against the cuts but lost their case, and ended up with even more cuts than requested by the BBFC. The film was released in the following year with the
same BBFC cuts but in two versions, including an alternative cut called Krug & Co.
By 2008 the BBFC had relented and the film was released without BBFC cuts in both the Unrated Version and the alternative Krug & Company.
Two girls are kidnapped by escaped prisoners and are subjected to sexual humiliation, razor torture, rape, disembowelments and shooting. The parents of one girl avenge their death by chainsaw, throat cutting and castration.
While I think that people tend to get a bit hyperbolic when they talk about The Last House on the Left , I do think it's a fairly good film, especially given what the filmmakers were trying to do and considering
their lack of experience, the era and the budget. Also, despite a filmic precursor, it just may be the earliest example of the horror subgenre of brutal, realist tragedy . However, it has flaws that would be difficult to overlook in a distanced
assessment of the film.
But again, focusing on that amounts to hype now, and shouldn't be taken too seriously, lest it lead to inflated expectations. Just as surprising on a first viewing is that The Last
House on the Left has an intermittent goofy sense of humor and a groovy attitude that is firmly mired in the early 1970s. The two policemen are really comic relief characters (and very funny at that), but there is also a lot of humor
surrounding the criminal quartet--this almost becomes a black comedy at times. These sensibilities even extend to the music, which has a frequent hillbilly edge and lyrics that supply ex-positional material. Surprisingly, Hess, who plays Krug,
wrote the music.
Availability
Banned by the BBFC for a cinema release in 1974.
The video was released by Replay
in June 1982. It was an early casualty of the video nasty panic and got banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout and so became one of the collectible DPP39s
A cinema release was banned again in 2000. However it achieved an cinema club
circuit release in 2000.
A subsequent DVD release was rejected in 2001
The DVD was again submitted in 2002 but this time the BBFC offered cuts. An appeal against the cuts proved unsuccessful and in fact
resulted in additional cuts to those originally requested by the BBFC. The resulting Blue Underground video/DVD release of 2002 suffered 31s of censor cuts .
Further 2003 video/DVD
releases (including one titled Krug & Company) from Anchor Bay have been edited differently but maintained the previous BBFC 2002 cuts
Late Night Trains is a 1975 Italian horror by Aldo Lado. With Flavio Bucci, Macha Méril and Gianfranco De Grassi.
Drug crazed nutters mug a Father Christmas then move onto to
terrorise and murder a couple of young girls on a train (Irene Miracle). The girls' parents inflict some retribution
Summary Review: Decent Acting
T
his film borrowed heavily from Last House on the Left , but Night Train Murders is the better of the two. Good production values, excellent cinematography, an Ennio Morricone score, decent acting and a tight
script .
The first third of the film introduces the main characters, most of whom seem to be prone to indulging in one perversion or another.
The "defilement" section of the film is a gripping, harrowing affair that escalates in viciousness before climaxing in a very brutal fashion.
The final act does not live up to the scenes that precede it. The director's desire to keep from glamorizing violence is probably why the ending feels somewhat restrained.
Availability
The BBC rejected the cinema release in 1976 under the title Late Night Trains.
Video Warehouse International released a cut video as Late Night Trains in 1981.
Cinehollywood released an uncut video in November 1981
under the title Night Train Murders . This version was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. This was dropped from the list in March 1984
The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue is a 1974 Italian/Spanish horror by Jorge Grau. With Cristina Galbó, Ray Lovelock and Arthur Kennedy.
Cut in the US for an MPAA R rating where there is also an uncut Unrated version. In the UK the BBFC cut the 1975 cinema release. Cut and uncut versions were released on pre-cert VHS which went onto be banned as video nasties. The VHS
was passed 18 by the BBFC in 1985 but only after the original cinema cuts were replied along with additional cuts for video. The BBFC relented in 2002 and the film was passed 18 uncut on DVD.
Summary Review: British Mini
Watching this film was a real treat as it was devoid of the usual American teenage students being slaughtered and was even filmed here in the U.K.
It's full of 1960's/70's kitsch and
the hero's even drive a real British Mini.
The picture quality is excellent so you can see the Zombies in all their lurid excellence.
If you only ever buy one Zombie movie,
make it this one!
Love Camp 7 is a 1969 USA war horror thriller by Lee Frost. With Bob Cresse, Maria Lease and Kathy Williams.
Banned as a video nasty in 1985, then banned by the BBFC in 2002. The film was banned again by the BBFC for 2020 VoD. Uncut elsewhere but there have only been a few obscure releases until the 2017 US DVD/Blu-ray Combo.
Summary Review: Don't Take Seriously
Set in a Nazi "Love Camp" that services the needs of front line officers. The video packaging claims that this film is based on fact, but
the plot is so far fetched you would have a hard time believing that. Two young WAC officers go undercover as POW's in the prison camp hoping to get some information from a scientist that's being held there. Unfortunately things go wrong and they end up
overstaying their welcome and being subjected to the same indignities as the other inmates.
The violence and sexploitation are best taken as tongue-in-cheek. By enjoying the exploits of the two WAC officers, Maria Lease and
Kathy Williams, the movie is quite entertaining.
Both Lease and Williams could pass as Playboy Playmates. Both girls have no less than four scenes each were their wares are sampled - talk about copping a feel, these horny
Nazis devour these two toothsome actresses!
Love Camp 7 is a US film, from 1969, in which female agents are sent undercover into a Nazi prison camp where female prisoners are sexually abused, raped and tortured by soldiers. It
was previously refused a classification for DVD release in 2002. The present submission is for distribution on VOD.
The BBFC's Classification Guidelines state that We may refuse to classify content which makes rape or other
non-consensual sexually violent behaviour look appealing or acceptable, reinforces the suggestion that victims enjoy such behaviour, or invites viewer complicity in such behaviour. They also state that As a last resort, the BBFC may refuse to classify a
work, in line with the objective of preventing non-trivial harm risks to potential viewers and, through their behaviour, to society. We may do so, for example, where a central concept of the work is unacceptable, such as a sustained focus on sexual rape,
other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or sadistic violence.
Because LOVE CAMP 7 is largely comprised of scenes of non consensual sexual activity, including rape, presented in a manner that is intended to arouse viewers,
its central concept is unacceptable and the sexually abusive material it contains too pervasive for cuts to be an effective solution.
Accordingly, the BBFC has refused classification to this work.
The film was recently submitted for
classification for VOD release. Given its status as a previously rejected work it was viewed by the entire Compliance team and certain members of the Policy team before referral to the Board.
The Board noted that there are a
number of prolonged scenes of non-consensual sexual activity, including rape, in Love Camp 7 , in many cases featuring a focus on female nudity. Such scenes are frequently gratuitous, both in terms of length and detail, going some way beyond what is
required by the narrative, and in some cases perpetuating harmful rape myths. These issues were considered in relation to the BBFC's 2019 Guidelines consultation, which found depictions of sexual violence to be of particular concern to the public.
The Board discussed the extent to which the film's datedness and risibility limits its impact, and considered the film's likely appeal and audience. It was observed that, while aspects of the film are dated, the sequences of sexual
violence and abuse are not. It was also noted that while the film is different in many respects to modern pornography, its close and repeated focus on nudity means the sequences of sexual violence and abuse still have the potential to arouse.
The Board concluded that because that as Love Camp 7 is largely comprised non-consensual sexual activity, including rape, presented in a manner that is intended to arouse viewers, its central concept is unacceptable and the sexually
abusive material too pervasive for cuts to be an effective solution. Accordingly, the Board agreed that the BBFC should refuse to classify Love Camp 7 .
UK: Banned by the BBFC for:
2002 Film 2000 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Love Camp 7 is an exploitation film set in a Nazi 'love camp' during the second World War. The film contains numerous scenes of women prisoners being abused, tortured and
humiliated by their Nazi captors. Indeed the whole purpose of the work is to invite male viewers to relish the spectacle of naked women being humiliated for their titillation. Love Camp 7 contains both eroticised depictions of sexual violence and
repeated association of sex with restraint, pain, and humiliation. These sequences were in clear contravention of the Board's strict policy on depictions of sexual violence, which prohibits scenes that eroticise or endorse sexual assault. The possibility
of cuts was considered. However, because the sexual violence runs throughout the work cutting was not considered to be a viable option.
banned
run:
95:41s
pal:
91:51s
UK: Released on pre-cert video for:
1983 Market VHS
The video was listed as a video nasty in April 1985 and stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectible DPP39s
v Madhouse
- 1981 Italy / USA horror by Ovidio G Assonitis (as Oliver Hellman).
Madhouse is a 1981 Italy / USA horror by Ovidio G Assonitis (as Oliver Hellman). Starring Trish Everly, Michael MacRae and Dennis Robertson.
Initially released uncut on 1983 VHS but was soon re-released as the cut R rated version due the video nasties panic. The film was banned as a video nasty anyway. It
was passed 18 uncut by the BBFC for 2004 DVD. In the US there is a cut MPAA R rated version and an uncut Unrated version.
Summary Review: One of the Better Nasties
Julia, a teacher in a school for the deaf, has a hideosly disformed and deranged twin sister that resides in the local looney bin. She escapes to gate-crash a surprise birthday party for Julia by murdering all the
party guests with the help of a giant killer Alsation dog, which gets it's come-uppance when lobotomised by a power drill, in a scene that will offend most animal lovers.
"Madhouse" is one of the
better films that was previously on the "banned" list of so-called video nasties in the UK. It didn't really deserve it's place on the list, but it's easy to spot the scenes that probably put it there.
T
he film features two pretty over-the top gore scenes that seem almost out of place in a movie that exercises restraint in most aspects. The most infamous sequence is the one that shows just how you can put down a dangerous attacking
rottweiler with a handy power drill. The other is an axe attack that is so drawn out it becomes almost surreal.
Although some of the time the action can get rather slow, this slasher stands above it's
rivals due to some really good cinematography.
Availability
An uncut version was published by Medusa in
January 1983.
A cut version was released later in 1983 by Medusa and was added to the DPP list of banned video nasties in November of the same year. It stayed on the list throughout the panic , so
became one of the collectible DPP39's
Passed 18 uncut by the BBFC for the 2004 Film 2000 DVD
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
Passed 18 uncut for:
2017 Arrow Special Edition (RB) Blu-ray/(R2) DVD Combo at UK Amazon
20
04 Film 2000 R0 DVD via UK Amazon but with
reported poor sound quality
The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2017 Arrow Special Edition (RA) Blu-ray/(R1) DVD Combo at US Amazon
Mardi Gras Massacre is a 1978 US horror by Jack Weis. With
Curt Dawson, Gwen Arment and William Metzo.
Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Uncut and BBFC 18 rated since 2022
Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Review: Cheese and sleaze!
Not exactly a straight slasher as many believe but
it's surely as cheesy, and unintentionally funny as any slasher from the 80's.
Mardi Gras Massacre could be considered as a toned down exploitation low budget. The plot asks for brutality, violence, sleaze but the truth is that the
execution of the idea isn't as half as good as it should.
The ritual method is repeated in all the death scenes. So we don't get originality or probably there wasn't enough budget to at least create three different gore scenes. It's okay but even
ultra low budget slashers have at least two different killing methods! Anyways, Mardi Gras Massacre has generated some kind of cult over the years but sincerely, this isn't a must see. The movie should only be watched by b-movie lovers or morbid
fans of low budget cheese and sleaze!
The NTSC running time is report as 92:02s . This is nominally 4 minutes too slow but perhaps this is a format changing techicality.
uncut
run:
95:34s
pal:
91:45s
UK: released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1982 Goldstar VHS
Released on VHS in 1982 on the Goldstar label and later on the Market label. Banned as a video nasty in November 1983 and stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the
collectable DPP39s.
UK: Released
uncut on pre-cert video for:
