In the early 1980’s certain movies were banned, and given the title ‘Video Nasties’ in the UK. The banned films included, The Evil Dead, The Exorcist, Last House On The Left, Driller Killer, I Spit On Your Grave and many more. So, why is it now we can watch these horror movies on terrestrial television? What has changed in society? Where there used to be outrage, now there is only apathy.
Why a film like ‘The Exorcist’ is now deemed suitable for a ten o’clock watershed is shocking; when, at it’s time of original release, it had people supposedly fainting and asking to be ‘forgiven for watching it’ in the United Kingdom. When it was re-released, the main comment on the film was that it was “funny”, although, I myself can’t see what is funny about a young girl being possessed by the anti-Christ.
Have we become desensitised by horror films, after watching them for so many years? Certainly movies such as Hostel would have been banned, if it had been released in the early eighties or late seventies. Or, have we simply become more blasé about ‘what is deemed too horrifying to watch’.
Last House On The Left, for example is simply a, misogynistic, exploitation film. It’s uncomfortable to watch, even now, some thirty years later. Something is to be said for ‘the right to freedom’ and to watch whatever we wish. However, where will it end? Will our senses me dulled and dulled, until the most horrific crimes acted out are simply passed off as entertainment?