Salo, or The 120 Days of Sodom

(Pier Paolo Pasolini;1975)

(Criterion)

 

-Overview-
This is one truly brilliant film about a group of sadists in Fascist Italy during WWII. It centers around a sort of stronghold where young people from all walks of life are kidnapped and forced to live out the every whim of their captors. Scenes of torture, degradation, mutilation, and coprophagia (consumption of feces) abound. The overall mood of the film is very dark and unnerving, but I found it rather soothing. I especially liked the end torture/rape scenes. And of course the banquet featuring human excrement as the main course. There is a lot of insight to be gleaned from the film such as the feces of a woman who has just found out that she will be executed is the most pungent and tasty. Something to remember. Based on the writings of the Marquis De Sade. Watch this one on a big screen, if available.
-Sound-
As always, Criterion has done an exquisite job with the sound to Pasolini's classic. The screams and whimpers of the children are crystal clear, and the film's ominous score has never been more effective. The film is in its original Italian language, with English subtitles.
-Picture-
Criterion have always prided themselves on only using the best print for their DVD releases, and it shows. The film is grainy, but that was due to the quality of the original negative. The colors are mutes, but convey the torture scenes brilliantly. Feces had never looked this good on film.
-Special Features-
No extras to speak of.
-Box Art-
The artwork on this release, as with all Criterion releases, is gorgeous. The picture of the young lad about to have his tongue slowly sliced off is the perfect image to start oneself off before watching this gem of a film.

-An interesting side note: This particular DVD is apparently the most sought after collectors DVD in existence. I have personally seen them go for as much as $600 U.S. on eBay.


 

Sound: 8
Picture: 8
Special Features: 1
Box Art: 10
Film: 9

Overall Rating: 10

(Rating scale is out of 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 the best)