Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom · reception & legacy
1976 · Pier Paolo Pasolini
How Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom has been received, argued over, and remembered.
The arc
Banned, seized, and prosecuted around the world for decades — the UK didn't pass it uncut until 2000 — it's since been canonised as the definitive final statement of a major artist, complete with a prestige Criterion edition and a permanent seat in the arthouse canon.
What's debated
The eternal fight: is it a profound political allegory about fascism and consumerism, or an endurance test whose ideas don't require actually sitting through it — 'important, but I can never watch it again' is practically its official review.
Its footprint
It's the cultural shorthand for 'the most disturbing film ever made' — the final boss of extreme-cinema dares, the film people name-drop to end any 'what's the hardest watch?' thread.
Where it stands
A canonical rite of passage: the film Letterboxd users log once, rate five stars or half a star, and treat as a badge either way.