![THE OUTLAW [1943] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/theoutlaw.jpg)
Notable for bringing sex to the Western genre, Howard Hughes’ The Outlaw was shelved for years before finally receiving approval by the Hollywood Production Code Administration. The whole controversial production seems to have gone forward for one reason: To showcase actress Jane Russell’s magnificent breasts. The film’s slogan was "What are the two biggest reasons for Jane Russell’s success?" During filming, Hughes once commented, "We’re not getting enough production from Jane’s breasts." In her memorable screen debut, Russell portrayed "Rio McDonald." Oh yeah, The Outlaw also starrred Walter Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre), Thomas Mitchell (It's a Wonderful Life) and Jack Buetel as "Billy the Kid." [READ THE FULL REVIEW]
![ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT [1930] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/allquietonthewesternfront.jpg)
Directed by Lewis Milestone, All Quiet on the Western Front was based on the critically acclaimed Erich Maria Remarque novel, Im Westen nichts Neues, and starred Lew Ayres as the disillusioned soldier, Paul Baumer. The film, which won an Academy Award for Best Picture, was eventually banned in Germany due to its anti-war theme: "You still think it's beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it's better not to die at all." However, during the film's brief run in Germany, the Nazis released rats into the theaters to scare off movie patrons. All Quiet on the Western Front was also banned in Italy until 1956.
![I AM CURIOUS (YELLOW) [1967] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/iamcuriousyellow.jpg)
Banned in Massachusetts for being pornographic, this notorious Swedish film (Jag är nyfiken - gul) faced a landmark court battle in the United States and was eventually found to be not obscene by the United States Court of Appeals. Directed by Vilgot Sjöman, the film starred Lena Nyman and is a companion film to I Am Curious (Blue) (1968). The films were named after the colors of the Swedish flag. I Am Curious (Yellow) contains documentary elements, including an interview with Martin Luther King, Jr.
![THE BIRTH OF A NATION [1915] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/birthofanation.jpg)
Based on Thomas Dixon's novel, The Clansman, D. W. Griffith's controversial and extremely influential silent film classic caused riots in Boston, Philadelphia and other major cities. The NAACP organized protests at the various premieres of the film around the country. In addition, The Birth of a Nation was outright banned in several cities such as Chicago, Pittsburgh and Kansas City due to its racist themes. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson commented that the movie, which starred Lillian Gish and Mae Marsh, was "like writing history with lightning." Griffith's next silent film masterpiece, Intolerance, was made in reaction to the negative response he received from The Birth of a Nation.
![THE TIN DRUM [1979] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/tindrum.jpg)
"A savage, sweeping epic of society in chaos." Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel (Die Blechtrommel) by Günter Grass, The Tin Drum won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the film was banned in several countries, including parts of Canada, as well as in Oklahoma City for a short time, due to a controversial scene that appears to show minors engaging in oral sex.
![HAIL MARY [1985] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/hailmary.jpg)
In Hail Mary (Je vous salue, Marie), the Virgin Mary is a gas station attendant whose boyfriend, Joseph, drives a taxi. Even Pope John Paul II jumped into the battle over this controversial, modern retelling of the virgin birth story from Jean-Luc Godard, claiming that the film "deeply wounds the religious sentiments of believers."
![LAST TANGO IN PARIS [1973] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/lasttangoinparis.jpg)
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, Last Tango in Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi) details the bizarre relationship of an American widower (Marlon Brando) and a young Parisian woman (Maria Schneider). The film caused much controversy for the so-called "butter scene," which is extremely tame by today's standards. Schneider, who claims she is still haunted by the scene, was quoted in the New York Post (July 23, 2007), claiming that the scene wasn't part of the original script: "The truth is it was Marlon who came up with the idea . . . I should have called my agent or had my lawyer come to the set because you can't force someone to do something that isn't in the script . . . I was crying real tears. I felt humiliated and, to be honest, I felt a little raped . . . Thankfully, there was just one take . . . I never use butter to cook anymore - only olive oil." According to a court in Bologna that banned the film: "Obscene content offensive to public decency . . . presented with obsessive self-indulgence, catering to the lowest instincts of the libido, dominated by the idea of stirring unchecked appetites for sexual pleasure, permeated by scurrilous language . . . accompanied off screen by sounds, sighs and shrieks of climax pleasure."
![THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST [1988] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/lasttemptationofchrist.jpg)
"I am here to set fire to the world!" Martin Scorsese directed this adaption of Nikos Kazantzakis' controversial 1953 novel that is notable for the scandal it caused as well as for its bizarre casting that included Willem Dafoe as Jesus, Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene, Harvey Keitel as Judas Iscariot, David Bowie as Pontius Pilate and Harry Dean Stanton as Paul. Numerous religious leaders throughout the United States organized protests against The Last Temptation of Christ (many of whom didn't bother to make an effort to watch the film!) and several Southern cities such as Savannah, Georgia, banned the film. In addition, Blockbuster Video initially refused to carry the title in its stores. Scorsese was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for his efforts (Barry Levinson ended up winning the award for Rain Man).
![TITICUT FOLLIES [1967] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/titicutfollies.jpg)
"Don't turn your back on this film . . . if you value your mind or your life." A fascinating (and extremely disturbing!) black and white documentary dealing with the mistreatment of patients at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, a prison hospital for the criminally insane, Titicut Follies was banned in the United States after a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court determined that the film violated the patients' right to privacy. However, many critics believed that the film was removed from circulation by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to protect its own reputation. Finally, in 1992, the film aired on PBS and is now widely available.
![CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST [1980] Image](http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr36/altreel/Top%20Ten/Banned%20Films/cannibalholocaust.jpg)
"Oh, good Lord! It's unbelievable. It's horrible. I can't understand the reason for such cruelty!" Directed by Italian filmmaker Ruggero Deodato and filmed in the Amazon Rainforest, Cannibal Holocaust was banned in many countries upon its initial release due to its graphic gore and sexual violence, as well as for several gruesome (and genuine!) animal slayings that appear in the film. Rumors also circulated that it was a snuff film (which at least proved to be untrue!). Countries that banned the movie at one time or another include Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Burma, Norway, South Africa, Finland, Turkey, Singapore, Germany, Iran and Morocco. Believe it or not, Cannibal Holocaust remains banned in several countries to this day . . . "Man is omnipotent; nothing is impossible for him. What seemed like unthinkable undertakings yesterday are history today. The conquest of the moon for example: who really talks about it anymore? Today we are already on the threshold of conquering our galaxy, and in a not too distant tomorrow, we'll be considering the conquest of the universe, and yet man seems to ignore the fact that on this very planet there are still people living in the stone age and practicing cannibalism."
Can someone tell me what the hell is wrong with Sweden? They give Salo (uncut) and Caligula a 15 but they ban Tenebre, what the hell is their reasoning? Are they more demented than the films themselves?
Come on people its year 2008, get over it show the movies.
the last one is crazy i dont know how some one could make a film on this shit
what about the 1975 french movie la bête (the beast) i saw a mere snippet of this movie online and it was enough to make me sick, frankly i think this movie could do with being still banned or at least given a porno rating so you can't easily buy in anywhere. look up the movie guys, unnatural, realistic, sexual content
What about "Salo, or 120 days of Sodoma"??
hate to say it but this world needs more films like cannibal holocaust, the sheer lack of care for what people would think of the movie just grabs you. If you aint seen it make sure you do. real artisc real kill shoots in it apparently. UK
Salo or 120 days of Sodom is the grossest movie I have ever seen,however it was the worth the watch as it has a interesting take on bringing children through puberty, and the film is based on a book from the 1800s, the director creates the movie to be excatly like the book, very well done for how disturing it is, the torture scene at the end is the worst and the poo! oh the humanity of the poo! Have only seen advertisements for the nekromantiks movies and those look like they are disgusting movies with none or unnecessary artistic merit. Cannibal Holocaust is a good movie defenitely has a legitimate message in it, makes you wonder who the real monsters are, the cannibals or modern man, Alec Balwin agrees with me on that one. And Titicut Follies, i dont know about the rest of you guys but I didnt think the prisoners were that mistreated in that movie, other than they could have had a better facility. Possibly the guards smartened up when the camera was in there. top 3 scenes: when they enter the insane murderer ward, when they are all partying and singing together, and when the badass psychologist tries to study inmates to see if they are fit to re-enter society, one of my favorite documentaries of all time
Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange was never banned. In the UK after the films release groups of criminals took some queues from the movie, such as a group of teens sexually assaulting a woman while they sang ?Singin' in the Rain? anyway Kubrick began recieving death threats so HE pulled the movie from (and only) the UK... where he lived. btw criminals will comit a crime whether they wear a jason mask or act/dress like someone or sing a certain song movies don't make people commit a crime they're just a ?for dummies? guide for uncreative morons. I actually just watched A Clockwork Orange the other night after not seeing it for years... just wow u really forget what a masterpiece it is. I'm not a Kubrick nut but he did have a few gems no denying his genius and role on movies we see today.
can you get cannibal holocaust on dvd in ireland? ttaf353@gmail.com
Get all these BANNED Movies here at http://freecontroversy.wordpress.com/top-10-banned-films-of-the-20th-century/ and other Controversial and non-controversial movies at http://freecontroversy.wordpress.com/ Thanks!
An absolutely degenerated movie. The writers should got to prison or an asylum. These films should be banned. Disgusting actors and actresses. I feel sorry for the little girl to have a role a film like this, sure she has no parents who have to save her from this abnormality. Americans are such idiots,they can make horror movies with incredible cruelty. You have real problems in the mind if you like to watch this brutality.
I was always under the impression that Curious Yellow was banned more for the "US out of Vietnam" protests that were seen a few scenes than the sex. Sex is easier to condemn, I suppose....
Wasn't Disneys Song of the South banned?
It makes me sick that you Blame Americans for these movies "the Collector" Malot of the most disgusting movies are filmed and Directed by Ameri Why isn't Japan, Italy, and Germany a target of your midless rant?
The Collector: I Liked it and i'm British. there will always be films people don't like. The good thing is that you have the choice whether to watch it or not, if you don't like it watch something else.
SALO-120 Days of Sodem,,I just was watching this cause i heard alot of people talking about it and thought it sounded like worth a watch..Well I have got to SHIT EATING part of the movie and i dont think i can watch anymore,,and I like alot of Sick stuff,,Snuff Films,,Hostel 1&2,,etc. But unless u enjoy 30 people with bowls of "full human terds being sliced by spoons and gobbled up then kissing each other with LITERALY shit mouth,,Yes this should be banned and i think it still is,,Unless u like to eat shit and get a blowjob from a shit mouth,,screw this disgusting movie..
If Alec Baldwin agreed with me on any subject - except on a curfew for my teenage daughter - I would immediately re-think my position.
I read the section of the banned movies.. I only saw "Cannibal Holocaust" as my friends were betting that it is a documentry and i will not be able to see it. I saw it and came to the conclusion that the movie was actualy offensive. Along the movie, all the cast and crew involved in it shud hv been banned. Its totally stupid and insane...
Life is about the experience and learning lessons frm the experiences, so unless you experience everything then how can you learn anything for yourself, we need to always push the boundaries as far as we know how to evolve and move on, same with everything. More is needed to be done.
i have cannible holocaust and its easy to c y the director and producer were arrested upon its release. Other than the dispicable animal cruelty and rape scene i liked it
Actually, I lived in France at the time. There was at least one documented attack on a cinema showing this film in France - which also happened with je vous salue, Marie.
Why is not SleepAway Camp not Banned yet,that Movie should have been banned a long Time ago,that movie was perverted and so sick that who ever watchs it will Be a Pervert for the rest of there lives, Felisa rose is hot or not,SleepAway Camp is a real bad Movie and should be banned for life,No Sorry and No regrets,this movie should be banned.
Cannibal Holocaust was so lame and boring that I fell asleep watching it.
why in the blue fuck is phantasmagoria banned? the only movie Marilyn Manson made and i cant even watch it fuck it! fuck it! fuck it!!!!!!
Pure Shit, a film about scoring heroin in Melbourne, Australia was banned for years. However wouldn't make this list to do its relative obscurity in other countries. Another few for Australia would be Salo, Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, Last House on the Left and, possibly Day of the Dead was also 'refused classification' as they say for a short period.
These movies should be entirely banned. and that's very good since they demoralize our generation above all the faith of religion.
wooooooooooooooow very gooooooooooooooooooooooood
I think Salo (120 days of sodom) should also be on this list. Director Pablo Pasolini was beaten to death in the streets of Italy a month after the film was released. Probably beacuse this film is so offensive. It's a must see for those who enjoy contravercial film, if you can stomach it... I was also suprised not to see any John waters on this list... Cheers!
"Fight For Your Life" has never been released in the UK. It contained Racism, Rape and Child Killing. As far as I know its still not available in Europe from legit sources. Same with "Men Behind The Sun" about the Japanese Experiments on the Chinese in WW2. Where real dead bodies were allegedly used. Contained Racism, Gore, Autopsies, and Animal Cruelty with a cat being eaten to death by rats. These two are more controversial than some on the list.