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Synopsis

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s notorious final film, Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, has been called nauseating, shocking, depraved, pornographic . . . it’s also a masterpiece. The controversial poet, novelist, and filmmaker’s transposition of the Marquis de Sade’s 18th-century opus of torture and degradation to 1944 Fascist Italy remains one of the most passionately debated films of all time, a thought-provoking inquiry into the political, social, and sexual dynamics that define the world we live in. —The Criterion Collection

Director

Original

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Pier Paolo Pasolini was among the most controversial and provocative filmmakers ever to impact the international cinema community. Emerging during the 1960s, Pasolini broke from his New Wave-inspired peers, drawing influence for his work not from other cinematic sources but from art, literature, folklore, and music. He was also among the few directors of his era to focus less on the process of filmmaking than on his subject matter, bringing to the screen the gritty desperation of life on the fringes. Pasolini was born in Bologna, Italy, on March 5, 1922. The son of an army officer, he grew up at various points throughout the country, and began writing poetry at the age of seven. While studying art at the University of Bologna, he published his first book of poetry, Poesie a Casarsa, in 1942. A year later, he was drafted to serve in the armed forces during the waning months of World War II, and after Italy’s surrender his regiment was captured by the Germans. Pasolini soon escaped and… read more

Wall

Displaying 4 of 121 wall posts.
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trolley freak

23May12

As a fan of Rainer Werner Fassbinder I became curious to see this notorious film after reading that the German maestro chose it in his list of the 10 best films ever made. And after having now seen it, all I can say is... well, words fail me! I don't know whether it's deserving of a one-star rating or a five-star rating so I choose not to rate it at all. And I think I'll go and have a shower now that it's finished...

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Nick Byrne

22Apr12

The opening song and credits make it seem like a Woody Allen movie.

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Vaibhav Bist

15Apr12

And I thought my court mandated driver's education course was torture. This is the most disturbing masterpiece ever filmed.

Amanda Karedy Juy likes this

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O.R. Rissanen

13Apr12

one of the best films ever. many of the themes are relevant today. very relevant, actually. people seem to be more focused on the disturbing actions of the four men, though.

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Fans

Displaying 5 of 1765 fans.

Articles

Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
W184

Pasolini @ 90

By David Hudson on March 5, 2012

Remembering not only “Italy’s major post-war intellectual,” but one of the world’s as well.

read article
W184

The Lost Pasolini Interview

By Celluloid Liberation Front on January 17, 2012

Pasolini’s second-to-last interview, long believed to have been lost, now appears here in English for first time.

read article
W184

Daily Briefing. Pasolini, Picard, Offscreen, Lists and Letters

By David Hudson on December 30, 2011

A rediscovered interview, a new issue, a fresh round of lists of the best of 2011.

read article
W184

Daily Briefing. Wenders, Rainer vs Abramović, Streep's Thatcher and More

By David Hudson on November 16, 2011

Until the End of the World @ 20. Omer Fast’s 5000 Feet Is the Best. Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho — and more.

read article
W184

Caterina Boratto, 1915 - 2010

By David Hudson on September 16, 2010

La Repubblica and other Italian news organizations are reporting that Caterina Boratto has died in Rome at the age of 95. Among the films

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W184

The Fearful Symmetry of Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Salò"

By Ben Simington on November 17, 2008

“Rent Check: BRONSON PINCHOTBy Donald LiebensonRecently added to the cast of ABC's Step by Step, Bronson Pinchot is also set to star in a CBS

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Lists

Displaying 5 of 402 lists.

Reviews

Displaying 4 of 13

Salo

By Publius on October 28, 2010

Pretty sick, and pretty significant but I didn’t connect to this one quite as well as I connect to most 70s flicks dealing with the same sort of thing ie The Devils. Very good though, loved the architecture…  read review

Salò and the banality of evil

By hectoco​tylus on August 18, 2010

Originally written September 28, 2008.

“Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.” —Benito Mussolini

“Smedley Butler…  read review

Salo

By Hideous Bitch Princes​s on February 22, 2010

A little absurd, though not really as disturbing as some would make it out to be. I tend to find myself more bothered by acts performed on others when an attachment is developed between myself and…  read review

Oddly Beautiful

By aelder on January 14, 2010

This is a film of contrasts. The overarching theme of incredibly harsh dehumanizing sexuality is quickly evident and the film is relentlessly unflinching in depicting depravity. Prior to watching this…  read review

Forum

Displaying 8 of 10 discussion topics.

the so-called "the "Salò" imperative" thing thing

154 posts by 26 people 6 months ago

What is so great about this movie?

43 posts by 33 people 7 months ago

SALO: Masterpiece or Plain-Old Exploitation?

19 posts by 12 people 10 months ago

A little advice...

6 posts by 2 people over 1 year ago

PASOLINI'S TRILOGY OF DEATH

11 posts by 5 people about 2 years ago

Villa Salò

7 posts by 5 people about 2 years ago

New Cover Illustration...Gerhard Richter

3 posts by 3 people about 2 years ago

DVD

Buy the DVD from The Criterion Collection.