Faces of Death 1 (1978)
Directed by: Conan Le Cilaire
Starring: Michael Carr (Dr. Francis B. Gröss)
Country: United States
Language: English
Runtime: 01:44:43
Genres: Gore-Gruesome-Splatter, Violence Against Animals, Cult, Cannibalism, Documentary
Plot – Spoilers:
Faces of Death was marketed as a real documentary at the time, and while the obviously fake parts in it have been unraveled over the years, it does mark a legendary moment in effed up cinema. Even though it wasn’t a genre-creating effort, it helped popularize the whole Mondo thing. You can also see the influence it had on future masters of the effedup, like Jörg Buttgereit. If you haven’t watched the series, it’s probably important to have it marked down 🙂
The film tries to treat its grotesque material with lightness and dark humour – for example, the killing of a rooster plays out against a version of “Old MacDonald…”. Some of the scenes like suicides or accidents might seem limp in the era of the internet, but they were probably shocking back in ’78.
What a coincidence! I was just about to request this! The grand daddy of effed up movies – albeit some of it is fake, some of it is real. very, very real. Bwaahahahahahahahaaa!!!
yawaaaaaaaaa
Admins, nice choice, a classic, thanks! But before u add the entire franchise, imo maybe consider adding the TRACES of Death ones instead, since those r real, albeit stock footage. Dunno how u feel about the actual death documentaries like those tho. Just my 2¢ regarding if u ‘had’ to pick one of em for an entire franchise/ series to add, if that’s what u were going to do anyway… Or the classic Mondo Cane films from the ’60s r always fun too!
Either way thanks for the new additions, ur work is always greatly appreciated;)
Stan Brakhage’s ”The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes” still is a better choice though and filmed in 1971.
Classic
Totally agree with Elliot.
Mondo Cane and traces are fantastic social documents if not great entertainment. Best site on the www since sliced bread.
Nuff respect
Faces + Mondo series with Traces later was the idea. But knowing us by now :), this will take a while as we fill in other tastes too.
FLUIDS of Death