Most disturbing film ever?

[Lord Kangana]

Off the top of my head, the mental disintegration of Private Gomer Pyle (at the start of Full Metal Jacket) is a very close-to-the-bone study of a group of humans. I'm sure there are others, many of which are about incarceration or the inability to leave, the threat of death (so you look at films like The Counterfeiters, Schindlers List, Shooting Dogs etc etc)

So I guess I fall in to the psychological fear category, as lots of blood and guts doesn't really do anything to me much.

[thebish]

So I guess I fall in to the psychological fear category, as lots of blood and guts doesn't really do anything to me much.

..that's catering for you..

[Lord Kangana]

Never happier than when I'm up to my armpits in warm blood.

[Harry Genshaw]

After putting some thought into this very interesting question I think the single most disturbing film I've seen is the brilliant City of God.

And the scene when the child, shaking and fearful, performs his first murder may be the most disturbing single scene.

I'd nominate this as film of the decade if anyone asked me...

Great shout - An outstanding film but pretty shocking. More disturbing for me was the cool bloke being humiliated and forced to strip at the party by Lil Ze

[Dujon]

To me, General, the most disturbing film I have seen to date was Bambi. Yes, I am serious; I would have been five or six years old at the time (Crompton Way for those who remember it). It was the first time I'd been to a cinema and, obviously I suppose, the first full length film I'd seen.

Did it make a lasting impression upon my developing brain? It must have done as I still remember it - well, not the whole film, but the acute anguish that I felt at the time, the tears that I shed so copiously over Bambi's plight and a lingering sense of injustice in a cruel world.

As does, Lord Kangana, I don't seek 'blood and guts' as entertainment, in fact I find it revolting. The real world seems to provide more than I need in that department.

[General Mannerheim]

Interesting peoples depiction of ‘Disturbing’ - There have been some examples of some brilliant films that have been done so well that you are totally caught up in the emotion of it and feel genuinely saddened or affected by the characters destiny - that’s testament to the filmmakers and the actors!

The kind of disturbing I was thinking about when I started this thread was the sort where you want to leave the cinema or stop watching the dvd, one that leaves you walking away shaking your head muttering ‘that’s not right, that shit shouldn’t be allowed, how did they get away with showing that, what kind of sick depraved scumbag what want to film that…’ etc

Have you all read the synopsis of ‘A Serbian Film’ as posted on earlier pages? Hell fire, that makes disturbing reading never mind the friggin film! I cant even bring myself to quote it.

Don’t let me stop you with your Bambis and your City of Gods tho, still interesting reading and good to recap on…

[Lofthouse Lower]

That bit in ET when he gets left behind.

[Harry Genshaw]

To me, General, the most disturbing film I have seen to date was Bambi. Yes, I am serious; I would have been five or six years old at the time (Crompton Way for those who remember it). It was the first time I'd been to a cinema and, obviously I suppose, the first full length film I'd seen.

Did it make a lasting impression upon my developing brain? It must have done as I still remember it - well, not the whole film, but the acute anguish that I felt at the time, the tears that I shed so copiously over Bambi's plight and a lingering sense of injustice in a cruel world.

As does, Lord Kangana, I don't seek 'blood and guts' as entertainment, in fact I find it revolting. The real world seems to provide more than I need in that department.

Good example. As a 7 year old child my parents took me to see Jaws (WTF were they thinking?!!). It terrified the bejeesus out of me where for a while after I was scared of even getting into the bath. Fortunately I got over that. It was either that or move to France!

[TANGODANCER]

To me, General, the most disturbing film I have seen to date was Bambi. Yes, I am serious; I would have been five or six years old at the time (Crompton Way for those who remember it). It was the first time I'd been to a cinema and, obviously I suppose, the first full length film I'd seen.

Funny that. I distinctly remember, as a very young kid, being absolutely terrified by the witch and all the thunder and lightning in Sleeping Beauty. Parents took us out. Sounds soft now, but it wasn't then. I'd imagine Watership Down terrified a few kids too. Start frightening the shxt out of them young hey.

[Il Pirate]

I once watched a french 'short'. A couple wake up in a car on a lonely forest track, handcuffed to handbrake. Then they decide the only way to escape is cut their hands off to free themselves. Plain weird slo mo of 'em hacking each other.

I'm not sure if it's the same film, but similar - the couple are holding hands when their car crashes, she wakes up, he's dead and has gone to rigor mortis stage, meaning her hand is trapped in his. She then tries all extreme escape solutions and the film ends with her walking through the woods with his disembodied hand attached to hers.
Another VERY disturbing short film is this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065513/

Oh, and The Vanishing; avoid the US remake and its 'happy' ending.

I think you maybe right there. Strange movie. My memory's not as good as it used to be...................

[as]

Manchester United - the movie

[Lord Kangana]

That sounds shocking.

Does it actually exist? I'd be surprised if it got past the censors.

[HMX]

To me, General, the most disturbing film I have seen to date was Bambi. Yes, I am serious; I would have been five or six years old at the time (Crompton Way for those who remember it). It was the first time I'd been to a cinema and, obviously I suppose, the first full length film I'd seen.

Funny that. I distinctly remember, as a very young kid, being absolutely terrified by the witch and all the thunder and lightning in Sleeping Beauty. Parents took us out. Sounds soft now, but it wasn't then. I'd imagine Watership Down terrified a few kids too. Start frightening the shxt out of them young hey.

I was terrified by the witch in Hansel and Gretel when I saw it at a pantomime. Frightening.

Few weeks ago now.

[Dujon]

Interesting peoples depiction of ‘Disturbing’ - There have been some examples of some brilliant films that have been done so well that you are totally caught up in the emotion of it and feel genuinely saddened or affected by the characters destiny - that’s testament to the filmmakers and the actors!

The kind of disturbing I was thinking about when I started this thread was the sort where you want to leave the cinema or stop watching the dvd, one that leaves you walking away shaking your head muttering ‘that’s not right, that shit shouldn’t be allowed, how did they get away with showing that, what kind of sick depraved scumbag what want to film that…’ etc

Have you all read the synopsis of ‘A Serbian Film’ as posted on earlier pages? Hell fire, that makes disturbing reading never mind the friggin film! I cant even bring myself to quote it.

Don’t let me stop you with your Bambis and your City of Gods tho, still interesting reading and good to recap on…

Fair dos, General - as you point out, the word 'disturbing' when applied to emotions is a particularly subjective collection of letters. Nevertheless, as I stated, I don't seek out such material as a form of entertainment. Regrettably I cannot name names but there has been the odd occasion when I have watched a film, DVD or whatever and simply turned it off when such option was available. I do though give myself credit, usually, for giving them a second chance - just in case my mood of the moment didn't fit the subject. Gratuitous violence (and prurience too) to me takes away something from a production. Why, why, why do film producers, directors and screen writers bother? Do they think that sex and violence are the be-all and end-all of making a successful (box office wise) film?

[Dr Hotdog]

After putting some thought into this very interesting question I think the single most disturbing film I've seen is the brilliant City of God.

And the scene when the child, shaking and fearful, performs his first murder may be the most disturbing single scene.

I'd nominate this as film of the decade if anyone asked me...

Is that the Brazilian prison film?

Nope, that would be Carandiru - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carandiru_(film)

City of God focuses on young (and then older) gangsters in the favelas of Rio.

The most disturbed I've ever been while watching a film was during the original Japanese version of Ring (or Ringu). The scene when it all comes to a head was very chilling (because it was the last thing I expected). It's like the last Converge album, I doubt I'll ever give it my attention again! Once and once only!

I've no stomach for glorified junk like "Saw" or "Hostel" or that abomination of an idea "The Human Centipede". Give me strength!

[jonnybwfc]

Cool Runnings, when the Jamaican bobsled overturns ... disturbing.

[Raven]

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang used to give me the creeps.

Not a blood and gore chap so missed most of the films mentioned (and quite happy to) but the one film that always did get to me was The Birds

[CAPSLOCK]

That 'film' with the octopus and the oriental bird

[P.O.S.]

That 'film' with the octopus and the oriental bird

Octopussy?

[ratbert]

That 'film' with the octopus and the oriental bird

Octopussy?

I'm guessing Oldboy?