Since the start of cinema, many movies have faced controversy and criticism for several reasons. Whether it’s a storyline, the skewing of historical facts, or gratuitous content, a movie can cause such a stir that it can be banned from theaters altogether. Let’s look at popular films that faced a barrage of public backlash and even bans.
All Quiet on the Western Front
The famous Oscar-winning movie depicting trench warfare between German and French forces was banned in several countries for its anti-war message. Based on an original novel by Erich Maria Remarque, both the movie and book were deemed the most powerful anti-war works in history. Yet, Nazi Germans felt the story was unpatriotic and made them appear weak. The film faced extreme demonstrations, and there were public burnings of the book in Germany.
The Last Temptation of Christ
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie portrays a fictionalized version of the life of Jesus Christ, including his struggles with temptation and doubt. The movie was banned when many religious groups objected to its portrayal of Jesus, considering it blasphemous and disrespectful. It was banned by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and later given a 15 classification.
The Da Vinci Code
Tom Hanks isn’t usually one to face controversy, and The Da Vinci Code was widely released in theaters around the world following its success as a novel by author Dan Brown. However, it did face criticism and controversy from some religious groups due to its portrayal of Christian beliefs and history. In Jordan, it was claimed that the movie tarnished the memory of Christian and Islamic figures and contradicted the written truths about Jesus Christ.
I Spit on Your Grave
The movie sparked arguments due to its violent scenes, particularly one that depicted the rape of a woman. Feminists protested against the film, while others argued in favor of the believability of the scene. The Motion Picture Association of America attempted to prevent filmmakers from giving it an R rating, eventually classing it as an 18 certificate with several minutes of the controversial scene removed.
Cannibal Holocaust
A found-footage horror film that follows a documentary crew’s gruesome encounters with a cannibalistic tribe in the Amazon rainforest was not only banned in several countries, but the filmmaker Ruggero Deodato was hauled up by an Italian court and charged with murder. The film’s extreme violence, including real animal killings, led to it being banned for its controversial content, with many regarding it as a snuff movie.
Brokeback Mountain
Despite its widespread success and breaking of boundaries, the movie was banned in several countries due to its scenes of homosexual content. Although the film went on to win three Oscars, it remained banned in Utah and China for its extreme use of nudity and profanity. It did, however, mark a transition for queer cinema, with many LGBTQ+ groups celebrating long-awaited inclusivity in film.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Based on the erotic romance novel by E.L. James, the story follows the relationship between a college graduate and a young businessman who introduces her to BDSM. Some countries banned it due to its explicit sexual content and themes, deeming it unsuitable for public viewing. The movie still grossed more than $500 million globally.
A Serbian Film
Srdjan Spasojevic’s controversial Serbian horror film exploring themes of extreme violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation was banned in over 46 countries due to its graphic and highly disturbing content. Numerous scenes of sexual violence and child abuse led to widespread bans and censorship.
A Clockwork Orange
Set in a dystopian future, it follows a young delinquent named Alex who undergoes controversial aversion therapy to curb his violent tendencies. The movie featured extreme graphic violence and controversial themes, which resulted in several countries banning the film for fear of inciting copycat behavior.
Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom
This controversial Italian-French film depicted the sadistic and depraved acts of a group of fascists during the final days of World War II. Its explicit depictions of violence, torture, and sexual depravity led to it being banned in numerous countries for its shocking content. Following its first showing in London in 1977, the cinema was raided by police and threatened under the offense of common law indecency.
The Human Centipede
The Human Centipede was a shock horror film about a deranged surgeon who kidnaps and surgically connects his victims, creating a human centipede. Its grotesque premise and extreme body horror led to bans in several countries, with critics condemning its disturbing content. It might have pushed boundaries, but the producers released two more sequels.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
This famous horror film, inspired by the true story of serial killer Ed Gein, follows a group of friends who encounter a chainsaw-wielding psychopath and a family of cannibals in rural Texas. The intense violence and gruesome imagery led to bans in several countries, with critics stating concerns about its potential to incite violence. The BBFC banned the movie due to its degradation of women until it was later offered an 18 certification.
The Grandmaster
While possibly not a well-known movie for many, this biographical martial arts film based on the life of Ip Man, a legendary Wing Chun grandmaster who trained Bruce Lee, was a favorite for many Wong Kar-wai fans. Some countries banned the film due to its portrayal of Chinese history and politics, with concerns about censorship and government control over media.
The Exorcist
This chilling trust story of demonic possession and exorcism featured a young girl named Regan and the attempts to free her from the evil entity within her. The intense and disturbing content, including scenes of graphic violence and blasphemy, led to its ban in several countries. The film gained notoriety for causing viewers to faint, vomit, and even suffer heart attacks due to its disturbing content.
The Interview
Starring comic favorites Jonah Hill and James Franco, this comedy film is about a talk show host and his producer, who the CIA recruits to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during an interview. The premise alone causes it to be controversial, particularly when dealing with a powerful leader who is no stranger to negative press. The film’s satirical depiction of North Korea and its leader led to cyberattacks and threats against theaters, resulting in some countries banning it from release.
Natural Born Killers
Directed by Oliver Stone, the notorious movie follows a young couple played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, who embark on a killing spree, glorified by the media and pursued by a relentless detective. The portrayal of violence and its critique of media sensationalism led to bans in some countries with concerns about its potential influence on viewers. The movie was believed to have influenced several copycat crimes, including school shootings.
The Passion of the Christ
Directed by established Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, the film depicts the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life, focusing on his crucifixion and resurrection. Some countries banned it due to its graphic violence and controversial portrayal of religious themes. The film was regarded as a cinematic masterpiece by many, but others found it to be antisemitic in nature and unnecessarily violent.
Ken Park
Despite his reputation as a renowned director, Larry Park’s controversial drama explores the lives of a group of teenagers and their dysfunctional families in suburban California. Its explicit depictions of underage sex, violence, and drug use led to bans in several countries for its controversial content and themes. Many argued that the scenes were unnecessarily long, deeming them little more than gratuitous.
