10 Horror Movies That Got Banned From Certain Countries
9. Salò, Or The 120 Days Of Sodom - Australia
The term "Sadomasochism" takes its name from the 18th Century French nobleman Donatien Alphonse François, better known as the Marquis de Sade.
This guy was writing about stuff in his time that would still freak people out today. That would explain why this film, which is based on one of his works, was received with such shock and awe.
1974's Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom is set in fascist Italy in the Second World War. A group of rich and depraved men hatch a plan to kidnap local teenagers and force them to commit vile acts of sexual deviance over the course of four months.
Salò is meant to be a comment on the corruptive nature of power and wealth, but some countries certainly didn't see it that way. It took until the year 2000 for it to be theatrically released in the UK, and Australia banned it in 1976 on the grounds of indecency.
This film is not for everyone, as the graphic depictions of the abuse suffered by the young people is far more gratuitous that modern audiences are used to. Still, there's no denying that this is certainly a thought-provoking piece of cinema.