Salo DVD Review

The Criterion edition of Salo is considered to be the rarest DVD now out of print and often fetches hefty prices on eBay. It is also considered one of the most reviled, controversial films ever made in which it's filmmaker, Pier Paolo Pasolini, was murdered during the post production under still vague circumstances.

The film tells the story of a group of facists during the second World War who kidnap a group of young men and women and along with a group of prostitutes force the victims to an increasingly bizarre series of tortures and degredations which culminates in the horrible deaths of those who were not willing to participate in the rituals.

At the first an exploitation film of the highest order, Salo is a truly disturbing and pessimistic portrayal of the nature of evil. Although it is clear that the sexual acts are simulated and the violent moments are clearly fake (and not at all "snuff") the film is to this day still banned in Australia. The UK, surprisingly though, has now released the film in a more complete version than Criterion had and with a stronger transfer.

In fact, considering the nature of the film, it has a surprisingly strong technique to it. The film is shot by the great Tonino Delli Colli with a removed eye not unlike Kubrick and the beautiful original score is by Ennio Morricone, both Leone collaborators.