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The Faces of Death series is one of cinema’s most controversial and talked-about film franchises. Known for its shocking and often disturbing portrayal of death and violence, it has sparked endless debates about its artistic merit, ethics, and impact on popular culture. In this article, we’ll deeply dive into the world of Faces of Death, exploring its origins, cultural influence, controversies, and legacy.
What is the Faces of Death Movie?
The Faces of Death movie is a 1978 documentary-style film directed by John Alan Schwartz. It’s often classified under the genre of “shockumentary,” a term used to describe films that showcase real-life footage of extreme or unsettling events. Although Faces of Death is largely remembered for portraying death and the macabre, it’s important to clarify that much of the film contains staged scenes alongside real-life footage. The film’s blend of the real and the fake raised questions about ethics, authenticity, and the portrayal of violence in cinema.
The Plot and Structure of Faces of Death
The movie is structured like a documentary, with an unnamed narrator guiding viewers through various segments that depict gruesome and unsettling scenes. Some of these scenes are real (or at least presented as real), such as animal deaths, accidents, and crime scene footage, while others are fictionalized recreations designed to shock the audience.
While the film’s content is undeniably disturbing, it also aims to provoke thought about the nature of death and human mortality. The segments in the movie are organized into different categories, including:
- Death by Animal: Scenes that depict real or staged animal cruelty and killings.
- Death by Accident: Footage of accidents or tragedies where people lose their lives.
- Medical and Autopsy Footage: Real-life footage from autopsies or medical procedures.
- Execution Footage: Depictions of capital punishment or violent crimes.
- Cult and Ritual Deaths: Fictional or dramatized scenes of ritualistic killings or cult practices.
The Faces of Death movie uses a documentary format to present these disturbing visuals, accompanied by commentary from the narrator, who provides context and explanations. While the film tries to make a statement on the inevitability of death, it does so in a way that many critics and viewers find hard to digest.
The Making of Faces of Death
Despite being presented as a “documentary,” Faces of Death was largely a work of fiction. Director John Alan Schwartz and his team crafted many shocking moments using special effects, staged scenes, and creative filmmaking techniques. Much of the gore in the movie was created using props, makeup, and other cinematic tricks designed to mimic real death.
However, some of the footage shown was indeed real. For example, the film includes footage of animal deaths and accidents. These real moments added a layer of authenticity to the film, blurring the line between fiction and reality and adding to the sense of horror and shock.
Behind the Scenes: Staging the Shocking Moments
One of the most famous scenes in Faces of Death is the footage of an execution. While many people believed this was real, it was staged using actors. The movie’s producers went to great lengths to make the scenes as believable as possible, employing practical effects, camera tricks, and editing to create the illusion of real-life violence.
The film’s creators decided to incorporate staged footage alongside real footage, which would later spark significant controversy. This blending of reality and fiction caused viewers to question the authenticity of the entire film. In fact, for many years, Faces of Death was marketed as being entirely real, leading many to believe that they were watching genuine, unfiltered death on screen.
Faces of Death’s Cultural Impact
Despite—or perhaps because of—the film’s graphic content, Faces of Death became a cult classic in the late 1970s and 1980s. The shock value of the film, combined with its unique documentary-style format, made it stand out in an era when mainstream cinema was still relatively tame by today’s standards. The film’s influence can still be seen in the shockumentary genre and in many of the “gore” films that followed.
Impact on the Shockumentary Genre
Faces of Death is often credited with popularizing the shockumentary genre. It paved the way for later films that sought to shock and disturb their audiences, such as Traces of Death (1993) and The Killers (1996). These films pushed the Faces of Death formula further, focusing more on gore and less on the narrative or artistic intentions.
The legacy of Faces of Death can also be seen in the rise of “found footage” horror films, which similarly rely on the illusion of reality. Movies like The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Paranormal Activity (2007) adopted a similar approach, where the film’s events are presented as real, even though they are fictional.
The Role of Controversy in Its Popularity
One of the most significant factors contributing to the film’s success was the controversy it generated. People were drawn to Faces of Death out of curiosity, eager to see if the film’s shocking content was real. The debates surrounding the movie—whether it was ethical to show such graphic footage, whether it was exploitative, and whether it should be banned—only fueled interest.
The film’s reputation as one of the most banned and controversial movies ever added to its allure. In the 1980s and 1990s, video stores and rental outlets often kept Faces of Death hidden behind counters or locked in special sections, making it more desirable to audiences looking for something “forbidden” or “taboo.”
Ethical Questions Raised by Faces of Death
While Faces of Death undoubtedly left a significant cultural mark, it also raised a host of ethical concerns about the portrayal of violence in media. The film’s mix of real and fictional content forced audiences to question the boundaries of taste, the morality of showing death for entertainment, and the responsibility filmmakers have when handling sensitive subject matter.
Is it Ethical to Watch Real Death?
One of the key ethical questions surrounding Faces of Death is whether it’s moral to watch real death and suffering for entertainment. Some viewers argue that the film’s portrayal of real-life deaths—especially animal deaths—crosses an ethical line. For many, the idea that such footage could be presented as entertainment is deeply troubling, leading to widespread criticism of the film’s creators.
Others argue that Faces of Death is a work of art that forces us to confront the uncomfortable reality of death and mortality. They suggest that the film’s shocking content is not intended to glorify violence but to provoke thought and discussion. The debate over whether such films are exploitative or educational continues today.
Should Films Depict Death at All?
Whether filmmakers should depict death at all is another point of contention. In the case of Faces of Death, the filmmakers used death as a central theme and tool for storytelling. But when does this portrayal become problematic? Some argue that by sensationalizing death, filmmakers risk trivializing the real-life consequences of violence and loss.
On the other hand, others argue that films like Faces of Death allow audiences to grapple with the concept of death in a controlled environment. By presenting death as an inescapable part of life, such films might help viewers better understand and accept their mortality.
The Legacy of Faces of Death
Faces of Death may have faded from the mainstream spotlight, but its influence continues in horror and shock cinema. The shockumentary genre it helped create has persisted through the years, with new films pushing the boundaries of taste and decency.
Influence on Modern Horror
Even in the age of streaming and digital media, Faces of Death remains a reference point for films that seek to disturb or shock. The 1990s and early 2000s saw a resurgence of horror films that relied on “found footage” and raw, unfiltered violence, continuing the legacy of Faces of Death.
In recent years, filmmakers like Eli Roth (Hostel) and the creators of The Human Centipede have drawn inspiration from Faces of Death. While more modern in their techniques, these films still aim to provoke strong emotional reactions from audiences.
Controversy and Cult Status
Despite its controversial nature, Faces of Death has achieved cult status. For many, it remains a classic of exploitation cinema, a film that was ahead of its time in terms of its raw, unflinching portrayal of death and violence. While it’s not for everyone, Faces of Death occupies a unique place in film history, celebrated by fans of extreme cinema while still being criticized by those who find its content distasteful.
Conclusion: The Enduring Fascination of Faces of Death
The Faces of Death movie may never shake its reputation as one of the most disturbing and controversial films ever made. Still, it is undeniable that it has left a lasting legacy in cinema. Whether you view it as a grim exploration of mortality or a misguided attempt at shock value, there’s no denying its impact on film and popular culture. The movie’s mix of real and fake, its blending of documentary and horror, and its unsettling portrayal of death make it a unique, albeit disturbing, cinematic history.
For better or worse, Faces of Death is a film that made its mark, sparking conversations about life, death, and the ethics of cinema. And though the film itself may be a relic of the past, its cultural significance will likely endure for many years.