In recent years, horror films that really turn up the heat when it comes to bloodshed when other genre representatives have long since pulled the handbrake, have repeatedly caused a stir. Examples include the Taiwanese infected shocker ‘The Sadness’ or the horror clown slasher ‘Terrifier 2’, which made waves worldwide and provoked reactions such as fainting, vomiting or running away from the audience. And yet both splatter grenades ultimately fully passed the FSK test and are therefore fully released for children aged 18 and over.
There are films that have had a much tougher time with the approval authorities – and still have it even after decades: Internationally known as “Cannibal Ferox”Revenge of the cannibals“ ended up in the uncut version in the index in Germany in 1983 – and seizures followed over the years various releases of the film. Although viewing habits have changed significantly in the forty years since, and films that were once indexed now often receive even a sixteen-screen rating upon re-examination, this fact has not changed to this day. And Germany is not alone in this.
According to Guinness World Records, the cannibal shocker is still banned in no fewer than 31 (!) countries today – making it a world record holder! No other film is banned in more countries under Guinness regulations. Even though there are isolated cases where even more countries are being talked about – or at least were being talked about. For example with ‘Faces of Death’ aka ‘Faces Of Death’ by John Alan Schwartz, which is said to have once reached 46 countries, but is now being released in its entirety for 18 and older, at least in this country.
“Kannibal Ferox”: This is “Revenge of the Cannibals”
The plot: An American anthropology student believes that the cannibalism supposedly prevalent in the South American jungle is a myth, and travels there to provide definitive proof of it. Accompanied by her brother and an acquaintance, she sets out, but she is soon proven wrong.
The shock effect: As usual for the genre and the time, Italian exploitation icon Umberto Lenzi uses a series of bloodthirsty splatter sequences in “Revenge of the Cannibals” that will turn the stomachs of even some seasoned horror connoisseurs. If you can’t see blood, you’re in the wrong place. The film also contains real violence against animals. Above all, those deeply despicable snuff sequences ensured that the film has always struggled with bans. Justifiably. After all, art is not allowed
The cult status: For the reasons stated, ‘Cannibal Ferox’ is still regarded in genre circles as one of the most violent, disgusting and difficult films ever made – which has always attracted gorehounds and is also often used as a test of courage to (redefine the own limits of what is bearable. The film is therefore part of the cannibal film wave of the 80s that is still controversial today, which also includes ‘Mondo Cannibale’, ‘Naked and Mangled’ aka ‘Cannibal Holocaust’ and ‘Zombies Among Cannibals’ belonging, which will actually be indexed in 2022, was withdrawn.