On F List of Movie Reviews

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Faces of Death (1978)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 5/15

5/15: For many years, Faces of Death had an underground reputation for being the mondo picture to see.

Being aware of it since the middle 80's, I had not seen the film until now. The experience is similar with Pink Flamingos when I begin to say, "Okay, I am ready," and then cross the threshold. Well, Faces of Death promises everything and never fails to deliver. I realize now the first half hour serves as a weed-out phase. Once I make past it, the scenes become easier to stomach and are more scientifically educational.

What I like is, due to the wonderful narration by Dr. Francis B. Gröss (Michael Carr), the perspective it brings because death is a fascinating topic for many people. It's cool when he alludes to the phrase "the many faces of death." Nobody knows what happens in the afterlife, and it has generated a lot of discussion for millenniums. Even some civilizations, especially the Egyptians, have made it a focal point of people's lives.

As much as I realize many scenes were faked, there are still some that are real and therefore interesting. I think it's because the people have been shielded so much from such visions they never know what really goes on behind the curtain. That's why they only see the final product. A lot of people have bashed the film for being fake or funny, but the criticism is unwarranted. Faces of Death is, like what The Endless Summer did for surfing, a beautiful poetry about death and decay. For some reason, it's fascinating in a morbid way.

All in all, Faces of Death is an unforgettable shockumentary.

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