BBFC "Video Nasties" (All Categories + Refused Films)

Definitely lives up to its title.

Absurd (1981) is truly absurd in every way imaginable. Nonsensical plot, pointless scenes with unnamed characters, *horrific* acting, and post-dub ADR that leads me to believe that the *entire* film is dubbed over. I highly doubt there was even a microphone on set.

One of the most unintentionally funny giallo slashers I've ever seen, but George Eastman and Joe D'Amato will never beat their original Antropophagus (1980).

This film has one of the most perplexing dubs I've ever encountered. It seems like the entire movie was filmed in both English and Italian, yet dubbed over *again* in English (using different voice actors) with different dialogue. None of the mouths match the characters' lines, yet they're all very clearly speaking English. The complete and utter lack of background noise, practical sound effects, or a foley artist credited leads me to believe that this entire movie was dubbed over with stock tracks and a synth.

The set designs, drugstore Halloween costumes, poorly-edited Super Bowl sequences (???), and filming locations are so pathetically cobbled together that I can't estimate this film's undisclosed budget to be anything higher than $5,000 USD.

The whole movie takes place during the Super Bowl in New York City, but its filmed in Rome with Italian actors. Nothing makes sense.

This movie is an incoherent fever dream that is so lovably inept in every way possible, that you can't help but see the charm in the (minimal) effort it took to produce it.

I laughed the entire time. The gore effects were mediocre, but so over-the-top that they're worth fast-forwarding to. The editing makes no sense, the camerawork is incompetent, and the child actor is the worst I've ever seen. But, it's all genuine and authentically sleazy.

Can't even give it a rating. Highly recommended for b-horror and cult horror fans. Everyone else, find a better use of your 90 minutes.

Take a nap maybe.

(ominous music)

Antropophagus (1980) is known by a variety of other names (i.e. "The Grim Reaper," "The Savage Island," "Zombi," etc.) as an attempt to evade the censors and circumnavigate international copyright law.

How Antropophagus (1980) and its spiritual successor, Absurd (1981), have near-equal user ratings on IMDb is beyond comprehension.

Antropophagus (1980) is objectively superior in *every* possible way, and it's not even close. Honestly, I wish I would've seen its sequel first, as any other film co-written by D'Amato and Eastman pales in comparison to their "magnum opus" (I use that term *very* lightly).

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Not saying that this is necessarily a "good" film, but its certainly worth watching.

Antropophagus (1980) makes legitimate attempts at building tension, meaningful character development, romantic relationships, and an intriguing, semi-sympathetic mythos surrounding our titular, cannibalistic antagonist.

This film is technically superior to Absurd (1981) by a mile and a half. It's cleverly written, it's gruesome (albeit hokey at times), it boasts impressive filming locations and special effects, and it's head-and-shoulders above its successors in terms of cinematography.

Also, it features Tisa Farrow, Mia Farrow's younger sister. Who would've thought?

My only complaint, as with Absurd (1981), is with regards to the post-dub. The entire movie is ADR, from its original Italian, even though the vast majority of the characters are obviously speaking English in the original cut. I would've preferred a copy with subtitles, but its nearly impossible to find.

Antropophagus (1980) is a fun little ride, complete with stomach-churning gore (clearly outdated, but nasty nonetheless), effective jumpscares, and a relatively interesting plot that'll certainly keep your attention.

A nice little cult film with a recycled soundtrack. Definitely worth the watch if you're into this sorta thing.

Where do I even begin?

Axe (1974) is a schlocky, amateurish mess that was clearly made by a group of impoverished college students without any proper taste (or, experience). This movie is a disaster.

I truly cannot believe the 75 minute runtime. It felt like I was sitting there for two days. Axe (1974) features some of the most boring sequences ever committed to film with drawn-out establishing shots that far overstay their welcome.

The soundtrack for this film can't even be described as "bad." More like "annoying," "inept," and "unfinished." The "score" consists of a couple buffoons goofing around with a theremin, jangling a tambourine, and indiscriminately hitting bongos without any sense for rhythm or melody. The music is so incomprehensibly stupid that I found myself frequently pausing the film out of sheer frustration.

Axe (1974) has very few redeeming qualities to it. It's not shocking, it's not (convincingly) gory, it's not (intentionally) funny, and overall it's just not any good. Thankfully, this is the only film that anyone in the cast/crew has ever been involved with.

I have no idea how, or why, this was prosecuted by the BBFC. Anything remotely explicit is obscured by a void of darkness due to the clumsy, underexposed cinematography and lack of professional lighting.

Maybe it was banned for quality, rather than content.

Any sense of a foreboding atmosphere, spine-tingling special effects, or viewer shock/confusion is entirely accidental.

Overall a giant waste of time with an unintended laugh here-and-there. Doesn't even fall into the "so bad it's good" category.

"Bye, Squonk."

Wow. For 1971, this thing is a real beast.

Not my favorite Mario Bava film, but certainly one of the most memorable and influential. A Bay of Blood (1971), along with Psycho (1960), definitely invented the proto-slasher formula that would find mainstream success in the United States over a decade later.

This thing has one of the most confusing and preposterous plots in cinema, serving as a jet-black comedy that masquerades as horror.

For 1971, the special effects are incredible. For its budget, the cinematography is impeccable. The English-dubbed dialogue and voice acting is inconsistent, but nevertheless entertaining.

My only gripe has nothing to do with the movie itself, but rather with the sound mixing available online. I went through 4-5 versions, both in English and Italian, and for some reason the volume is so low that it's difficult to follow at times. It's impossible to find an inexpensive physical copy of A Bay of Blood (1971) in the U.S., so YouTube rips are the best I can do.

This film also has one of the most absurd and jaw-droppingly hilarious twist endings of all-time, so I highly recommend sticking with it until the credit roll.

I'll refrain from sharing spoilers, as a large part of this film's allure is the act of piecing together its bewildering story.

By no means is this an award-winning flick, but it serves a greater purpose in film history/theory and should be a required watch for any aficionado of Italian cinema and horror cinema as a whole.

-_-

Nazisploitation is a trashy genre that's almost entirely devoid of technical skill, cultural significance, and artistic merit. Does anyone actually *enjoy* this?

The Beast in Heat (1977) sucks. It's terrible. Do not watch it.

Was this supposed to be funny? Ironic? Erotic? Thrilling? I don't know. I don't even know what it's about. Jewish partisans? Bridge sabotage? A horny ape-man hybrid? Who cares.

This movie is sleazy, it's boring, it's reprehensible, and it's offensively inept in execution. Just a bunch of nonsensical "action" sequences strung together by archival WWII stock footage and padded with softcore sexual violence.

Incompetent in every possible way. This monstrosity makes Axe (1974) look like a Palme d'Or winner.

Don't bother. Not even out of some sick curiosity. I'm ashamed I did.

The only 1/10 I've ever given on IMDb. The Beast in Heat (1977) is so aggressively insulting that it actually makes me angry to think about.

I need to take a shower.