9. Snuff
Whilst a few of the movie members of the Video Nasty community attempted to use the framework of excessive violence for genuine artistic attempts to ask psychological and sociological questions, or even try new filmmaking styles and techniques, many of the Nasties simply aimed to be as controversial and disgusting as possible. Snuff achieved its sure goal for notoriety simply through its title. Given the potent smell of panic in the air with regards to the copious amounts of degrading nasties being released, it is understandable how many people thought that Michael and Roberta Findlay's production was a genuine snuff film. Indeed, some concerned viewers even campaigned to the police to contact one of the film's female performers to make sure she was alive and well. Those who wanted to cleanse the Nasties were all too happy to agree with the suggestion that the film was authentic, as it provided them with ammo for pulling Nasties from production. Many horror fans who watched Snuff were satisfied to believe it too, as it proved that they could sit through anything - including real death scenes. And naturally, Snuff's marketing team were elated with the notion: as it gravitated substantial attention towards the film. Snuff was, of course, just an ordinary Nasty in disguise. But despite being 'just a movie', it was still an unashamed exercise in human torture. Either way, the film achieved its aim to turn heads. And the title did that alone: earning Snuff's place as one of the more infamous Video Nasties ever made.