nzswanny Faces Of Death is a film that doesn't really follow any storyline. It really doesn't, so you must be asking yourself, "How does this movie go on then without a story?"A false rumour spread that the violence in this was unsimulated, so this film immediately caused controversy. That false rumour is how this film got all of these viewers, people were flocking to see it just to see how graphic and disturbing the violence was. Most audiences were repulsed by the violence, calling it "graphic" and "disgusting," and the false rumour spread even more.Let me get this clear: this does not have unsimulated violence. If some silly friend of yours came over to you and said, "Hey, there's this film called Faces Of Death with unsimulated violence," then he/she's lying without knowing it. But, the violence in this looks very real, which may be why so many people were led to believe the rumour. Of course, we all know it's false now, but back then, Faces Of Death was one of the most disturbing and graphic films of all time, along with I Spit On Your Grave, Cannibal Holocaust and Mondo cane.Despite being simulated, I can guarantee that the film lives up to the hype, violence-wise. It's graphic, shocking, disturbing and downright tasteless, with no coherent storyline at all. The film was made just to shock viewers out their lunch.I won't call this film downright bad, but I won't call it a masterpiece either. It's an interesting film with very realistic violence that makes you stand and marvel at how the filmmakers were able to create such realistic looking violence. But remember, the violence in this film is completely tasteless, and doesn't really serve apart from shocking.Overall, it's disturbing, but I wouldn't call it a film to go put on your watchlist. If you get the chance, maybe watch it if you have a strong stomach, but otherwise, just steer clear from it. 5.2/10.

cherootvendors This is one of the few Video Nasties that fully deserved its place on the final DPP list. As an individual who ideologically opposes censorship, I found myself surprisingly shocked by the BBFC's decision to pass this (albeit with minor cuts) for DVD, and even today it is one of the few Video Nasties that I cannot watch without needing to turn it off. While I agree that adults should have the right to view whatever they wish (as long as the work in question does not break the law), I do find myself wondering what kind of person enjoys watching this sort of material. (Even as I write I cannot help but shake my head at my own hypocrisy...) This grisly, macabre compilation of both real-life and faked death footage belongs to a subgenre of the documentary film known as 'mondo', initiated in 1966 by the Italian exploitation film Mondo Cane (although the recording of actual human death goes right back to the dawn of cinema). Along with the video Executions, Faces of Death represents the most extreme and disgusting end of this subgenre (that I'm aware of at any rate), and presents a string of death-themed scenes including suicide, accidents and execution. The fact that some scenes (most famously a death row electrocution and the eating of 'live' monkey brains) are faked does little to reduce the impact of this film, which from start to finish reeks of both death and exploitation. What surprises me is not so much that Faces of Death presents itself as a serious documentary (complete with a bogus doctor narrating in serious tones), but that the BBFC's regulations allow for the use of real-life death footage in this clearly exploitative context. And yet they ban video documentaries such as Hooligans and Terrorists, Sickos and Other Wackos for having no discernible educational context. At least such material has the courage (stupidity?) to present itself for what it is: sick morons stringing together repugnant images for the entertainment of other sick morons. Indeed, such a distinction marks hard-core pornography and the Lovers' Guide style of 'sex education' videos that emerged during the late 1980s, when 'documentarians' realised they could make '18' rated sex tapes as long as the action was interspersed by some 'expert' providing an academic commentary. Unsurprisingly, Faces of Death does not illuminate the subject of its title; rather than revealing historical, cultural and spiritual truths about mortality, it merely serves to emphasise the ugly faces of humanity.Film: * (out of 5) Nastiness: ***** (out of 5)

trashgang Faces of Death, that's a movie that needs no introduction. After the Mondo Cain franchise it was time to bring something new, a film concerning death. In those days it was easy to get news footage or real footage. You just contacted the news station and for a few bucks you could get a box full of nasty footage. That's what the people behind FOD did. I must say, some scene's are really disgusting, especially the animal cruelty. Some other shots will make you look in other directions than the television screen. The people with money, Chinese behind the project, dared the makers to give 'more death' as they stated. So after a while they gave us death. Some parts are a bit boring or are out of date, the electrocution is boring but still the flick works. It delivered us a franchise and a lot of rip offs but the funny part is the fact that if you buy the Blu-Ray version you will have some explanation about the movie and I must admit, it's as shocking as the film itself.

Tromafreak Are we looking at a Documentary here, or just plain old Gruesome exploitation? Overrated garbage, or underrated trash? Is it real, or is it fake? Hell yes to all. Whatever Faces Of Death is going for, it succeeds, how you view it only depends on how delicate your sensibilities might, or might not be. I guess the opening autopsy footage should be taken as somewhat of a warm-up, or absolute proof that this one isn't for you. From there, we are guided through a disturbing, yet slightly humorous, world-wide journey through the pitch-black, unforgiving realm of the only sure thing in life, death. Our tour of the dark side include "executions", "asassinations", "suicides", a rather long look inside a morgue, monkey brains being served in a restaurant, natural disasters, a bear attack, a peak inside the goings on of a satanic cult, and even religious, snake-handlers are thrown into the mix. A harsh, groundbreaking look at things we only hear, and read about, although, probably not quite harsh enough to be banned in 46 countries... then again, maybe it is. Watching Faces Of Death probably wouldn't make most people feel any better about dying. And, when you break it all down, this film really is just an extremely gutsy gore movie, disguised as a documentary. Fine with me. Aside from this, Faces Of Death is fairly interesting. I see no reason why they couldn't play this on The National Geographic Channel... oh yeah, well, there's always the eating of the monkey brains, but jeepers, even that is a little interesting. The only thing I could have really done without was the slaughterhouse scene. I'm a fan of gore, but Sheep gushing blood out their necks isn't very interesting, although, I guess they mean well, it's not like they were condoning these things, only making us aware. If we look at it like that, then Faces Of Death is a rather noble production, but not quite as deep as they're going for, but deep, nonetheless. Faces Of Death is certainly worth watching, probably even more than once, but spawning everything from Faces Of Death 2-6, to Traces Of Death, to Faces Of Gore might be a little much.This one is about as well-known as a B-movie could be without the luxury of being shown on television, now, that's what I call a reputation. Whether you consider this film to be as repulsive, and disgusting as you always heard, or simply another over-blown, urban legend, Faces Of Death will always be known as king of the shockumentaries. Whatever that's worth.