Over the past decades it is easy to see a development of what is deemed acceptable in movies and what is not - films that were perceived as outrageous in the past are G–rated today; limits that were thought to be uncrossable are broken again and again in contemporary productions. By examining the past, present and potential future of controversy caused by violence in film, especially in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and central Europe, it is clear to see that the overall trend is going towards increasing liberalisation and acceptance of violent content in mainstream cinema.
The trend of movies becoming increasingly violent is very likely to continue in the future.
Table of Contents
1. Thesis
2. Bases
2.1. Film
2.2. Controversial issues in film
3. Violence in film
3.1. Eliminating Frankenstein's monster
3.2. "Freaks" ahead of their time
3.3. "Peeping Tom" raises the bar
3.4. Reflecting Vietnam in "The Last House on the Left"
3.5. A "Chain Saw Massacre" becomes a landmark
3.6. Slasher-Boom in the 1980s
3.7. "Natural Born Killers" wreak havoc
3.8. "New French Extremity" and "Torture Porn"
4. Summary and prognosis for the future of violence in film
Objectives and Topics
The paper examines the historical development and shifting perceptions of violence in film, focusing on how boundaries of acceptability have expanded from early monster movies to contemporary extreme cinema. It investigates the interplay between societal reactions, censorship, and the increasing mainstream acceptance of violent content.
- Evolution of cinematic standards and audience perception
- Impact of censorship and societal controversy on film production
- Historical progression from implicit horror to explicit violence
- Emergence of subgenres like Slasher, Torture Porn, and New French Extremity
- Political and cultural significance of violence as a means of expression
Excerpt from the book
3.1. Eliminating Frankenstein's Monster
In 1931 Universal Studios released "Frankenstein", a monster-horror movie based on Mary Shelley's famous novel. It tells the story of a scientist who creates a somewhat human being through the use of electrical devices and parts of exhumed corpses. Regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time, most of its brutality is "implicit, pointed to by action on screen that was itself nonviolent". Still, for audiences at that time, the brutality of "Frankenstein" was unprecedented. This resulted in numerous problems with censor boards that accused the film of cruelty and moral debasement. They imposed a list of eliminations required to be cut from the film, which shows quite concretely "the types of violence and horror that were troubling [...] and that many felt ought to have no place on cinema screens."
The list of eliminations included shots of characters digging up caskets, close-ups of dead bodies and monsters. None of this footage contained any overt acts of violence but clearly referenced it. For example, while digging up caskets is not brutal, it stands for the profanity grave robbing represented and additionally hints a subsequent act of violence - cutting corpses into pieces and surgically reconnecting them in order to create a monster. Another aspect was the soundscape and some particular sound effects in the movie, namely animal sounds made by the creature and screams of the creature's victims.
Summary of Chapters
1. Thesis: This chapter introduces the observation that cinematic violence has undergone a process of increasing liberalisation and mainstream acceptance over the past decades.
2. Bases: This section covers the fundamental definitions of film and the historical emergence of controversial issues as a result of the medium's influence on society.
3. Violence in film: This chapter provides a chronological analysis of major films and genres, demonstrating the gradual shift in how violence is presented and received.
4. Summary and prognosis for the future of violence in film: This concluding section synthesizes the historical development of violent film narratives and suggests that a return to more restrictive standards is unlikely.
Keywords
Cinema, Violence, Censorship, Horror, Frankenstein, Freaks, Peeping Tom, Slasher, Natural Born Killers, New French Extremity, Torture Porn, Mainstream, Controversy, Media Influence, Film History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the development of violence in film over the past nine decades, analyzing how content once considered taboo has gradually become acceptable in mainstream cinema.
What are the primary thematic fields discussed?
The study covers the evolution of film censorship, the relationship between societal norms and media content, and the historical progression of specific horror subgenres.
What is the main research question of the work?
The work aims to understand how and why the boundaries of acceptable violence in film have been consistently pushed and how the industry has reacted to these shifts throughout history.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, examining representative film examples and comparing them to contemporary critical, censorship, and audience reactions.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It provides a detailed analysis of films like "Frankenstein," "Freaks," "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," and "Natural Born Killers," documenting their role in the escalation of violence on screen.
Which keywords characterize this work best?
Key terms include film violence, cinematic censorship, horror subgenres, societal controversy, and media liberalization.
How does "Frankenstein" illustrate early attitudes toward film violence?
It demonstrates that in the 1930s, even non-violent, implicit references to death and body mutilation were sufficient to trigger interventions from censor boards.
Why is "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" considered a turning point?
Despite being relatively bloodless, it established a reputation as one of the most brutal films of all time, eventually gaining status as legitimate art while challenging previous censorship norms.
How does the author view the future of violence in film?
The author concludes that a regression to earlier, more restrictive standards is highly improbable, as the trajectory of western cinematic culture has consistently trended toward increased explicitness.
- Citar trabajo
- Felix Neff (Autor), 2012, Violence in Film. Monsters and Human Centipedes, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/214348
