48 Years Later, the Most Infamous Shockumentary of All Time Just Got a Massive Upgrade

(SeaPRwire) –   The recent and surprisingly effective Shudder and IFC remake of Faces of Death features characters discussing the original with a mix of disregard and reverence. They view it as both just an old horror film and a dark charm that brings out the worst in its viewers, though it isn’t supernatural. This influence motivates the villain, portrayed by Dacre Montgomery, to recreate scenes that were faked in the original, making them “real” within the new film’s story—a very meta concept.

The remake also acts as a potent promotion for the 1978 film. Its notorious reputation, which once required video store clerks to hide it and customers to request it by name, begs the question of its worth. The answer is complicated.

So, what is Faces of Death? In short, it’s a crude compilation film, a “documentary” assembling clips that purport to show actual animal and human death (some authentic, some staged). It uses a pseudo-scientific narration by a “pathologist” named Dr. Frances B. Gröss, claiming to seriously investigate “the mystery — and terror — of death.” In reality, it’s simply a reel of shocking content.

How Was Faces of Death Received Upon Its Release?

Upon its 1978 theatrical debut, Faces of Death was panned by critics as tasteless and exploitative. However, it was a major box office success, demonstrating a public fascination with graphic depictions of mortality. Its 1983 release on VHS and Betamax led to censorship or outright bans in the U.K. and Australia, which only fueled its infamous status.

Debate about the authenticity of its footage began instantly. Nearly five decades later, the concise answer is that it’s a mix. The newsreel clips showing surgery, accidents, war, and famine are genuine. However, key “documentary” sequences, like a “cannibalistic cult orgy” (directed by the filmmaker under the alias Conan Le Cilaire) and an “execution by electric chair,” were fabricated.

Likewise, most animal deaths shown are real, though a famous scene where diners “kill” a monkey to “eat its brains” à la Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was staged. Regardless, the film is not suitable for animal lovers.

Why Is It Important to See Faces of Death Now?

Interest now stems largely from the remake and nostalgia among horror fans for whom the film was a legendary taboo. Primarily, its significance is historical. As noted in the new film, in an era of YouTube death compilations, Faces of Death is a relic.

It is a “Mondo” film, a genre originating in 1960s Italy, popular in 1970s grindhouses, and obsolete by the rise of YouTube in 2005. These films pose as documentaries but often contain staged footage. They assemble thematically linked, provocative scenes (e.g., witchcraft) connected by narration from a “scientific” authority like Dr. Gröss.

These are strange films, valuable more for historical study than entertainment. Ironically, Faces of Death is somewhat more palatable than other contemporaneous Mondo films, which often included racist content. And it is not palatable at all!

What New Features Does Vinegar Syndrome’s 4K UHD Disc Have?

Vinegar Syndrome is an ideal distributor for this re-release, specializing in lavish physical editions of obscure cultural items. That said, this restoration might be a double-edged sword: while the faked scenes were harder to detect on VHS, 4K clarity will reveal them (though the roughness has its own appeal).

The key attractions are 14 minutes of previously unseen outtakes and a new documentary with interviews from filmmakers and scholars discussing the film’s personal and cultural impact.

Here’s the full list of special features:

• 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region A Blu-ray
• 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range
• Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm and 16mm original camera negative
• Commentary with director Conan Le Cilaire, moderated by Michael Felsher
• “Buried Footage” – newly discovered, never-before-seen outtakes
• “Choice Cuts” – an archival featurette with editor Glenn Turner
• “The Death Makers” – an archival featurette with effects creators Allan Apone and Douglas White
• “Many Faces of Death” – scholars and genre experts examine the controversial origins and lasting cultural impact of Faces of Death
• Isolated music track
• Archival outtakes
• Trailer
• Reversible sleeve artwork
• English SDH subtitles

Faces of Death is available on 4K UHD now from Vinegar Syndrome.