In 2000 this DVD box set would have been worth an arm and a leg. 2000 was a big year for banned movies, most of the movies that were banned in the UK were granted a certificate, most of which were passed uncut. However in 2005 when box of the banned was released it was practically worthless before it hit the shelves. The reason being is that most of the titles in this box set were released in 2000 and by 2005 were out in budget versions. When Box of the Banned was first released the asking price was £29.99, however the films in the set could be bought individually for less. Being somewhat of a completist when it comes to Horror movies I waited until January this year, when I purchased this 6 movie box set for just £9.99 from play.com. It has since risen again to £14.99 but its still a better buy now than purchasing individually.
So onto the movies contained in this lavish box set:-
ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS
This was one of the most notorious of the video nasties. It also bought director Lucio Fulchi to the attention of the world. The story basically tells of a boat that floats into New York harbour with no visible crew on board. When the Harbour masters office boards the vessel they are attacked by an incredibly large Zombie
that was hiding in a cupboard. For one woman it's the beginning of a quest, she wants to know what happened to her father who owned the boat. So she heads off with a New York reporter in toe to the island of Mutul to locate her father. When they arrive however they find that the island is over-run by killer zombies. Zombie Flesh Eaters was banned for the following reason: A woman has her eye gauged out by a splinter of wood sticking out on a broken door, and the same woman is later seen being eaten slowly by a gang of zombies. These scenes have now been reinserted into this movie.
I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE
This drab little number tells of a woman who is terrorised by a gang of thugs. After a stream of verbal abuse by the thugs of which 90% involved threats to rape or murder her, she heads off down the river on her own. When she reaches her destination she is gang raped by the thugs and left for dead. She later however recovers and returns for revenge. This movie was banned because of the brutal rape scenes, most of which have been removed from this DVD.
DRILLER KILLER
One of the biggest urban myth movies of all time, Driller Killer was rumoured to be everything horrific you could possibly imagine in a movie. Banned over here for its scenes in which people were "drilled" to death, Driller Killer is actually not what everybody thought it was. In fact Driller Killer is a giant 90 minute music video, not a violent horror movie at all. In the early 80's the film ended up in the form of bootleg copies all over the place minus a lot of the music as it made the movie "boring" but if you watch it nowadays its blatantly apparent exactly what the movie is, and its not something good.
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT
Two young girls rebel from there rather strict upbringing and head off to the city to see a rock band. When they arrive however they fall foul of a group of thugs. The gang take the girls to their apartment where they sexually assault and humiliate them. They then drive the girls out to the country where they continue the ordeal which ends up with both girls being murdered. When the gang go to leave however their car breaks down, and they decide to call at a house for help. Unbeknown to them the house they have called at just happens to be the parents of one of the girls. This movie was directed by Wes Craven, and was banned for the ordeal the two young women were taken through, most of this has now been reinserted into the movie.
NIGHTMARES IN A DAMAGED BRAIN
A mental patient is haunted by nightmares from his past, when he escapes the institution he becomes a serial killer, the story basically ends there. The movie was banned for being graphically violent but to view it nowadays there is really nothing in it, not even a good story.
THE EVIL DEAD
Evil dead focuses on a group of "teenagers" who visit a log cabin and discover a book which unleashes hell upon them. The movie is both hysterical and horrific (for some). But nowadays looks totally ridiculous. The film was banned because of the whole devil issue and a scene in which a woman is raped by a tree. The Evil Dead was the first movie to be re-released after a ban, and opened the floodgates for others to follow.
On the 7th disc is a documentary called ban the sadist video's which tells the story of the DPP and the mass banning of movies and videos in 1984, it also tells obviously the story of certification which prior to 1984 was just a recommendation. In 1984 certificates became law and anyone found not following that law could be imprisoned. Lots of footage is featured of the movies that are included in this box set as well as some other notorious video nasties.
I know I have had a bit of a grumble over this, and it's really because it's a bit "old hat" now. Many people who would be interested in these movies have already seen/own them and the impact is just not there that was before; although some of the most notorious of the video nasties are featured here the best are not.
What I cannot deny is the value for money, a limited edition box set for just £14.99 from play is a pretty good buy. Especially if you bought it stored it away for 10 years then went to sell it on Ebay. If you have not seen any or most of the movies and like horror you will probably love these as it does touch an area of what I call "proper horror". To me a lot of modern horror has no impact; it certainly gives no prospect of fear. During 1970 - 1984 I believe as do most horror enthusiast's that the best horror movies were made. They made you flinch, they made you squirm and they certainly made you jump.
Pictures of Box Of The Banned (Box Set) (DVD)
Driller Killer
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