17 Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom

[MichaelB]

That's absolutely true, and the BFI's Salò has been far more successful than their four other Pasolini titles.

Which is why it was the first one chosen for a Blu-ray upgrade.

[dwk]

I emailed last week to ask if they were using the same scan they used for the DVD and they finally replied:

And for SALO yes, it is the same scan.

[Hail_Cesar]

amazon.ca:



I understand that there are rights issues in QC for some discs (a lot in these times!) but what about BC?! Right issues? Censored?

[criterionsnob]

Beaver

[SamLowry]

So it looks like the BFI is a bit green, but has the full image & is unedited, whereas the Criterion is cropped on the bottom and on the right & is still missing a scene. The BFI has better extras. While Criterion's image grabs look nicer (especially in color), I seem to remember the movie having a rather harsh/austere look, although that was a well-worn print that I saw in the 1980s. I'm wondering if Criterion may have boosted the red. I think I'll probably take the BFI for the better extras & deleted scene unless someone finds a big difference in sound.

[denti alligator]

Maybe a dumb question, but can I get in trouble for selling this on ebay to someone in a country where the film is banned? Which countries would those be?

[Graham]

I'd say that's the buyer's responsibility, not yours.

[Darren]

Does anybody have the Australian release? I am curious where it sourced it's image...

[liquid_city]

I just watched this for the second time and for the first time having de Sade's source material. One thing that I feel has been preserved from the book is the beautiful sense of violence that this film conjures even in silent stillness. Here's an example of what I mean: During the first listening session, for a long time nothing happens but Vaccari in her beautiful dress walking smoothly around the room and recalling her tales in a melodic and perky voice while accompanied by the relaxing piano. As twisted as her stories are, it's a very still and mellow scene. But one can feel violence continually rising, as if any moment someone will erupt, even without any hints to the libertines' displeasure. Soon enough, a "disobedient" child is kicked through the door for refusing. But even before this happens, and in scenes where nothing violent or sexual occurs, there's the feeling of violence and abuse somehow hanging over every frame. De Sade's book is similar, even if what he describes is a very innocuous event, the bitter feeling of lustful violence is on every word. The way Pasolini has adapted this so clearly fascinates me. A friend of mine from a forum which is now gone once said that this is not a film with violence in it but a violent film, and I'm forced to refer back to this perfect summary.

Has anyone else noticed the reading of a passage from Lautréamont's Les Chants de Maldoror at the first dinner scene? I don't remember the words exactly but it's something to the effect of "I had become a pig. I studied my snout. I tried my teeth on tree bark." It is one of my favorite books and its inclusion makes me happy but I'm still a bit puzzled by its meaning, if it indeed has any here.

[R0lf]

I have made my way through most of Pasolini's movies recently but I have to say one of the worst horrors was just now reading through this thread when I decided to google image searched Pino Pelosi...

The way Pasolini died deeply disturbs me.

Why do you think Pasolini instill Salo with loads of sex? Is it necessary? Just curious what your thinking is.

I don't think anyone clearly answered this question - simply because it is the easiest narrative way to illustrate total exploitation.

[giovannii84]

Does anybody have the Australian release? I am curious where it sourced it's image...

I don't have it, but both the Australian DVD & BluRay release mirror the extra features from the BFI release, so I'd assume its their transfer of the film as well.

[Gregory]

Has anyone else noticed the reading of a passage from Lautréamont's Les Chants de Maldoror at the first dinner scene? I don't remember the words exactly but it's something to the effect of "I had become a pig. I studied my snout. I tried my teeth on tree bark." It is one of my favorite books and its inclusion makes me happy but I'm still a bit puzzled by its meaning, if it indeed has any here.

I realize this post was made some time ago, but I'd say that Maldoror is one of the crucial influences on Pasolini's film and is also a close parallel in a way: Pasolini made this examination of debasement, evil, and corrupted humanity after exploring possibilities of naive and innocent sexuality in the Trilogy of Life. In the opposite order, Lautréamont delved into evil and cruelty in Maldoror and then began writing its opposite counterpart that would praise the good and the struggle against evil, but of course it never came to be, due to his premature death.

In the particular passage about becoming a pig, Maldoror is talking about how the degradation of being changed into a pig was probably a divine punishment but in effect was a long-awaited reward and a fulfillment of a desire no longer to be part of humanity.

Also, for what it's worth, in Pasolini's "essential bibliography" in the credits, he included Maurice Blanchot's essays on Sade and Lautréamont.

[Ashirg]

This is getting a DVD re-package on January 26...

[bdsweeney]

Recently listened to Nic Rapold’s podcast. He was speaking with Amy Taubin and towards the conclusion, they started talking about the current political and social climate … and getting very despondent.

Drawing a connection to the topic of discussion, Nic concluded the conversation by noting that in NYC the IFC Centre is showing Salo nightly at the moment (when the recording took place).

People are feeling the vibes.

[nicolas]

FYI, a 4K UHD of Salò will be released by German label Wicked Vision on July 31. It has English subtitles for nearly everything on the discs.

There will be two cover variants, limited to 1.500 units each and sold exclusively at wicked-shop.com. Shipping to the US is €13.99.

Cover A: https://www.wicked-shop.com/en/salo-or- ... ork-a.html
Cover B: https://www.wicked-shop.com/en/salo-or- ... ork-b.html

The controversial film, presented for the first time worldwide as an exclusive 4K restoration.

Exclusive 4K UHD HDR restoration with Dolby Vision by LSP Medien, based on a 4K scan of the original camera negative.

Uncut version including the complete Gottfried Benn poem scene.

All audio tracks have been extensively restored for the first time and are accompanied by newly created optional subtitles.

Featuring nearly 14 hours of bonus material.

5-disc set presented in a premium rigid slipcase with two Scanavo cases, an 80-page booklet, a double-sided poster, six lobby card replicas and a hand-numbered limitation certificate.

The first 500 customers will also receive an additional art card featuring a rare behind-the-scenes photo.

Disc overview:

Spoiler

Studio: Wicked Vision Distribution GmbH
Release date: 31 July 2026
Rating: 18 / Not suitable for minors
Packaging: Rigid slipcase with 2 Scanavo cases
Number of discs: 5-disc set

Disc 1: Ultra HD Blu-ray
Region code: A, B, C
Runtime: 117 minutes (uncut)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (2160p, HDR10, Dolby Vision)
Languages: German, English, Italian
Audio format: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (Mono)
Subtitles: German, E
Subtitles for extras: German
Format: 4K Ultra HD
Disc type: UHD-100

Disc 2: Blu-ray
Region code: B
Runtime: 117 minutes (uncut)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (1080p)
Languages: German, English, Italian
Audio format: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (Mono)
Subtitles: German, E
Subtitles for extras: German
Format: Blu-ray
Disc type: BD-50

Disc 3: Bonus Blu-ray
Region code: A, B, C
Runtime: approx. 300 minutes in total
Languages: Various (German, English, Italian, French)
Audio format: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: German, English
Format: Blu-ray
Disc type: BD-50

Disc 4: Bonus DVD
Region code: 0
Runtime: 107 minutes
Language: German
Audio format: Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: None
Format: DVD
Disc type: DVD-5

Disc 5: Soundtrack CD with 16 tracks

Extras breakdown:

Spoiler

High-quality rigid slipcase with spot-varnish finish
Removable backing sheet for the rear of the slipcase
2-disc Scanavo case for the feature film, with reversible cover artwork
3-disc Scanavo case for the bonus discs and soundtrack CD
80-page book featuring texts by Christoph N. Kellerbach, Dr. Lioba Schlösser and Daniel Perée (German)*
Hand-numbered limitation certificate
Double-sided A3 film poster
6 replica lobby cards based on original German theatrical stills
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of the main feature
Blu-ray of the main feature
Bonus Blu-ray
Bonus-DVD
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on CD

Disc 1: Ultra HD Blu-ray

Feature presentation of the exclusive UHD HDR restoration on 4K Ultra HD disc
Presented in Dolby Vision or HDR10
Restored audio tracks in German, Italian and English
New subtitles matched to the respective dubbed versions, including optional matching inserts
Audio commentary with Dr. Rolf Giesen and Dr. Gerd Naumann
Audio commentary with Prof. Dr. Marcus Stiglegger and Dr. Lioba Schlösser
Audio commentary with film historians Troy Howarth and Eugenio Ercolani (in English with subtitles)
German trailer
Original trailer
Image gallery

Disc 2: Blu-ray

Feature presentation of the exclusive 4K restoration on Blu-ray in SDR
Restored audio tracks in German, Italian and English
New subtitles matched to the respective dubbed versions, including optional matching inserts
Audio commentary with Dr. Rolf Giesen and Dr. Gerd Naumann
Audio commentary with Prof. Dr. Marcus Stiglegger and Dr. Lioba Schlösser
Audio commentary with film historians Troy Howarth and Eugenio Ercolani (in English with subtitles)
German trailer
Original trailer
Image gallery

Disc 3: Bonus Blu-ray**

The Gideon Bachmann Archive:
Salò Backstage: archival footage and interviews from the shoot
The Interview Under the Tree: interview with Pasolini conducted by Gideon Bachmann
Salò, the Last Film by Pier Paolo Pasolini
“End of Salò” – cast and crew members discuss the making of the film and Pasolini’s legacy
Co-writer Pupi Avati on pre-production
“Whoever Says the Truth Shall Die” – legendary documentary on the life and death of Pier Paolo Pasolini
Short film: “Ostia”, including optional director’s commentary
“Walking with Pasolini” – documentary on the significance and impact of Salò
“The Children of Salò” – four French filmmakers analyze Pasolini’s film and its place in film history
“The Hell Laboratory” – excerpts from a press conference with Pasolini, plus information on unused scenes
About the Quotations
Disc 4: Bonus DVD

Salò, or: No Act of Censorship Takes Place: panel discussion on Pasolini’s controversial film and its seizure in Germany (approx. 107 min., German)

Disc 5: Original Soundtrack CD
Featuring the haunting film music of Ennio Morricone and other composers – a disturbingly beautiful soundscape that lets Pasolini’s Salò be experienced in all its intensity.


* Customers who pre-order this edition will receive access to a digital PDF download featuring an English translation of the German book.
** All extras include optional German and English subtitles

A statement by the label’s owner:

Spoiler

Dear Visionaries,

With this 4K world premiere of SALÒ OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM, you have the ultimate version of Pier Paolo Pasolini's controversial masterpiece. Hardly any other film has polarised, disturbed and sparked discussions as much in the last 50 years as this cinematic heavyweight.

With this deluxe edition, an almost four-year journey full of ups and downs comes to an end for us. SALO was one of the most elaborate and at the same time most exciting projects that have ever been on our table. Whether the stony path of deindexing, the restoration of the various sound versions or the procurement and preparation of the extensive bonus material: This film has accompanied us intensively for years.

In cooperation with LSP media, all sound recordings were restored and are now finally available without errors. The 4K transfer also received a careful and loving processing as well as a completely new colour grading to finally present the film in a form that is most likely very close to Pasolini's original vision.

In addition, there are almost 14 hours of bonus material, which will certainly keep you busy for a long time. Because even if we know that SALÒ will be a cinematic challenge for many of you, it must be said that Pasolini's ruthless statement against fascism, abuse of power and a society that makes people a commodity should be seen more than once to fulfil its full effect. Anyone who appreciates film-historical and film-scientific classifications can, in addition to the many Behind-the-scenes recordings and interviews are happy about three truly outstanding audio comments.

[denti alligator]

Pretty impressive--and tempting, especially if you know German. Two of the three commentaries and the bonus DVD discussion are unsubtitled. What's the track record of this company in terms of encodes?

[nicolas]

Very good as they’re working with LSP. They’re almost on the level of Fidelity in Motion.