324:
crushes her skull, and another woman is dismembered before
Ralphus removes and eats her eyeball. Theater critic Creasy Silo is also in attendance, and has an unfavorable response to the show, which he deems pretentious and exploitative. After the show, Ralphus feeds scraps of human flesh to a group of caged women kept in the theater basement as slaves.
420:
due to its ability to slip between being a serious horror film with sexual overtones and a campy send-up of gore films. The violent deaths of lead actors Seamus O'Brien (stabbed to death in his apartment by a burglar) and Viju Krem (shot by her husband on a hunting trip) after the film's release also
602:
panned the film stating in his review, "When people use the term 'bottom of the barrel', they often forget about the UNDERSIDE of the barrel, which is where poorly-made dreck like this belongs. It offers absolutely NOTHING in the way of entertainment, and I think you're a cruel little nutcase if you
362:
In the basement, Tucci frees Sardu's caged women who proceed to cannibalize him. As Tom attempts to flee with
Natasha, Sardu relishes the sounds of his slaves killing Tucci. In a tunnel under the theater, Natasha, still brainwashed, bludgeons Tom to death with a sledgehammer before joining the other
323:
women whom Sardu and his performers brutalize onstage to audiences who are unaware that the spectacle they are witnessing is in fact real. Professional ballerina
Natasha Di Natalie attends one of the performances with her boyfriend, Tom, during which a woman is tortured with an iron tourniquet that
594:
stated in his review on the film, "If anything makes it tolerable, it is that it is presented as comedy rather than tragedy. Unfortunately, it falls flat far more than it amuses. One could complain about the misogyny of it all. Or its willingness to offend everyone possible. Or even the vibrant,
549:
submitted the film to the MPAA for
American release in 1981, but the organization refused to grant the film an R-rating in its full-length cut. According to Kaufman, the association approved only 54 minutes of the film. Troma proceeded to release the film in its full cut with the R-rating label,
358:
Tucci reveals to Tom that he has uncovered a trove of valuable silver and precious metals in the theater basement, and intends to steal them. After the show ends and the crowd disperses, Tucci and Tom witness a woman crawling from behind the stage with her legs dismembered. Tucci arrests Sardu's
29:
351:, and dismemberment, rendering Natasha into a fearful psychological state of submission. Tucci and Tom infiltrate the theater and attend one of Sardu's performances, where Natasha is set to perform. Natasha performs an elegant ballet routine for the audience that devolves into a
331:
via physical torture of their victims, turning the women into submissive sex slaves, while Sardu espouses his philosophy behind his shows. The troupe kidnap
Natasha next, hoping to utilize her to lend artistic legitimacy to their shows and catapult them to
359:
female assistant while Tom attempts to free
Natasha. Tucci finds Sardu erotically kissing Silo's corpse in the basement, and holds him at gunpoint before tying him to a post and pistol-whipping him. Sardu responds by asking Tucci to "hit him harder".
554:
Troma for copyright infringement on the grounds of utilizing the unapproved ratings label. The suit was ultimately settled after Troma was mandated to issue a public apology which was published by
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Sardu retaliates against Silo by ordering his disciples to kidnap him. The group chain Silo in the theater basement, and force him to view their methods of
223:
and starring Seamus O'Brien, Luis De Jesus, Viju Krem, Niles McMaster, Dan Fauci, Alan Dellay, and Ernie Pysher. Set in New York City, the film follows a
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sardonic performances of the principals. But that is giving the film more credit than it deserves". Wrigley also criticized the film's acting.
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talk someone else into seeing it," also calling it "The nastiest, filthiest and just about WORST thing you will EVER SEE".
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Meanwhile, the troupe force
Natasha to spectate an array of torturous acts against their slaves, including tooth removals,
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panned the film, awarding it 0/4 stars calling the plot "flimsy" and " exercise in total gross-out". Rob
Wrigley from
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in applying the R-rating without permission; Troma withdrew the rating label, and to date the MPAA has refused to give
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says "the film is deliberately tacky and tongue-in-cheek (but distasteful enough nonetheless), in the spirit of
235:-style performances for audiences, who are unaware that actual murders and torture are being enacted onstage.
262:, but eventually released the version that had all of the most graphic scenes included and was labeled as an
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received largely negative reviews from critics, and as of 2023, holds a 29% approval rating on the
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578:, based on 7 reviews. It is considered to be one of the most controversial films of all time by
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despite having no such designation from the MPAA. The ratings group subsequently sued Troma for
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borrowed the assistant's name for his own use, naming his bodyguard
Ralphus during his time in
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425:, who was inspired by the film, commented in a 2014 interview that it functions as a dark
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upon their acquisition of it in 1981. Troma initially made cuts in hopes of getting an
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841:"Blood Sucking Freaks: Every Accident & Death Associated With The Horror Movie"
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Some of the torture methods depicted fictionally in the film include the use of
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1168:"Watch Chris Jericho Pay Tribute To Bloodsucking Freaks On The Last Drive-In"
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slaves, who have proceeded to brutally kill and dismember Sardu and
Ralphus.
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917:"Director of 'Blood Sucking Freaks' says he doesn't enjoy violence"
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344:, and teams with corrupt police officer John Tucci to find her.
1241:
The Gorehound's Guide to Splatter Films of the 1960s and 1970s
627:
614:." The book reports the film was the subject of a campaign by
355:, culminating in her torturing and killing of Silo onstage.
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named it one of the most controversial films of all time.
533:
in 1981. The film was screened out of competition at the
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978:
976:
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Milne, Tom; Willemin, Paul; Hardy, Phil, eds. (1986).
925:. May 11, 1981. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
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as his "favorite Troma movie". Professional wrestler
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136:
122:
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104:
96:
64:
56:
48:
38:
21:
1386:Films about human trafficking in the United States
1107:
1084:"Movie Review - Bloodsucking Freaks - eFilmCritic"
1058:"Blood Sucking Freaks (1976) | Classic-Horror.com"
892:"RIP "BLOODSUCKING FREAKS" director Joel M. Reed"
750:"Sunday: No Day of Rest for Mid-Town Sex Shops"
421:contributed to the film's notoriety. Filmmaker
16:1976 exploitation-splatter film by Joel M. Reed
8:
525:in November 1976, and was later acquired by
813:"The Most Controversial Films of All Time"
807:
805:
27:
18:
758:. p. ML7 – via Newspapers.com.
626:Troma Entertainment released the film on
1243:. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.
967:. p. 81 – via Newspapers.com.
403:Lynette Sheldon as Doctor's Compensation
1155:from the original on February 15, 2023.
1133:from the original on February 15, 2023.
984:
946:. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
853:from the original on February 15, 2023.
825:from the original on September 6, 2015.
728:
704:
311:-style theater with his assistant, the
315:Ralphus. The troupe put on grotesque,
240:Sardu: Master of the Screaming Virgins
143:American Film Distributing Corporation
735:
529:, who re-released it under the title
260:Motion Picture Association of America
7:
1441:English-language comedy horror films
834:
832:
711:This title is sometimes stylized as
429:of the New York City theater world.
291:of the New York City theater world.
890:Gingold, Michael (April 14, 2020).
521:The film premiered under the title
394:Helen Thompson as Sardu's Assistant
246:in November 1976. Film distributor
1224:. London, England: Octopus Books.
1205:. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.
630:in 1998, and in a special edition
14:
1108:Milne, Willemin & Hardy 1986
748:Brass, Dick (November 8, 1976).
397:Alphonso DeNoble as White Slaver
340:. Tom discovers that Natasha is
242:, it was originally released as
1421:Obscenity controversies in film
1121:"Bloodsucking Freaks: Releases"
400:Illa Howe as Girl on Guillotine
376:Viju Krem as Natasha Di Natalie
238:Filmed under the working title
1401:Films directed by Joel M. Reed
1166:Lee, Joseph (April 27, 2020).
839:Flowers, Maisy (May 3, 2020).
379:Niles McMaster as Tom Maverick
33:1981 theatrical release poster
1:
959:"Le Grant snub causes uproar"
936:Loader, Fred (June 5, 1981).
416:would go on to achieve minor
1431:American LGBTQ-related films
1351:American comedy horror films
1326:1970s English-language films
1203:Produce Your Own Damn Movie!
1025:"Bloodsucking Freaks Review"
771:"Bloodsucking Freaks (1975)"
675:opened his second season of
662:World Championship Wrestling
1356:American exploitation films
1239:Stine, Scott Aaron (2015).
523:The Incredible Torture Show
382:Dan Fauci as Sergeant Tucci
244:The Incredible Torture Show
209:The Incredible Torture Show
1457:
1411:LGBTQ-related horror films
865:An Interview with Eli Roth
769:Firsching, Robert (2007).
385:Alan Dellay as Creasy Silo
284:, and has been noted as a
1426:Troma Entertainment films
616:Women Against Pornography
535:1981 Cannes Film Festival
26:
1391:Films about mind control
1341:1976 LGBTQ-related films
1331:1970s exploitation films
1321:1976 comedy horror films
773:. Movies & TV Dept.
391:Luis De Jesus as Ralphus
227:ring masquerading as an
206:(originally released as
1436:1976 comedy-drama films
1416:Films about necrophilia
1376:Films about cannibalism
1366:American splatter films
373:Seamus O'Brien as Sardu
1406:Films set in Manhattan
1361:American slasher films
1222:Encyclopedia of Horror
998:"Blood Sucking Freaks"
957:Schnurmacher, Thomas.
649:3 Feet High and Rising
612:Herschell Gordon Lewis
608:Encyclopedia of Horror
557:The Hollywood Reporter
550:which led the MPAA to
433:Depictions of violence
388:Ernie Pysher as Doctor
307:, Master Sardu runs a
268:copyright infringement
1145:"Bloodsucking Freaks"
280:went on to develop a
212:) is a 1976 American
1316:1970s American films
1288:Blood Sucking Freaks
1277:Blood Sucking Freaks
1266:Blood Sucking Freaks
869:Blood Sucking Freaks
693:Blood Sucking Freaks
654:Blood Sucking Freaks
634:on August 21, 2014.
598:Scott Weinberg from
569:Blood Sucking Freaks
531:Blood Sucking Freaks
414:Blood Sucking Freaks
278:Blood Sucking Freaks
272:Blood Sucking Freaks
252:Blood Sucking Freaks
231:group, which stages
229:experimental theater
203:Blood Sucking Freaks
22:Blood Sucking Freaks
1396:Films about theatre
1336:1970s slasher films
1294:Troma Entertainment
1037:on October 31, 2014
877:Troma Entertainment
791:on October 16, 2007
755:New York Daily News
713:Bloodsucking Freaks
527:Troma Entertainment
303:In New York City's
248:Troma Entertainment
147:Troma Entertainment
1381:Films about dwarfs
1371:Films about ballet
1346:1970s parody films
1062:Classic Horror.com
875:interview short).
776:The New York Times
638:In popular culture
592:Classic Horror.com
483:St. Andrew's Cross
453:at the wrist by a
250:retitled the film
167:November 1976
1250:978-0-786-49140-7
1231:978-0-706-42771-4
1212:978-1-136-05942-1
1082:Weinberg, Scott.
678:The Last Drive-In
652:, Plug One cites
573:review aggregator
564:Critical response
274:a review at all.
225:human trafficking
199:
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150:(1981 re-release)
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1033:. Archived from
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964:Montreal Gazette
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787:. Archived from
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646:'s debut album,
642:In the intro to
545:Troma executive
461:of fingers by a
321:human-trafficked
319:shows featuring
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60:Alan C. Margolin
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1056:Wringley, Rob.
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600:eFilmCritic.com
576:Rotten Tomatoes
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489:and subsequent
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336:and eventually
317:sadomasochistic
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1259:External links
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1199:Kaufman, Lloyd
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108:Joel R. Herson
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658:Chris Jericho
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547:Lloyd Kaufman
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508:
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497:, as well as
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473:of feet by a
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467:electro-shock
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1177:. Retrieved
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1091:. Retrieved
1087:
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1065:. Retrieved
1061:
1051:
1039:. Retrieved
1035:the original
1028:
1019:
1009:February 19,
1007:. Retrieved
1001:
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985:Kaufman 2012
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899:. Retrieved
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844:
818:Filmsite.org
816:
793:. Retrieved
789:the original
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499:brainwashing
491:decapitation
463:meat cleaver
439:thumb screws
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329:mind control
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264:R-rated film
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221:Joel M. Reed
219:directed by
214:exploitation
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183:Running time
160:Release date
118:Michael Sahl
89:Ernie Pysher
52:Joel M. Reed
43:Joel M. Reed
1149:Blu-ray.com
1093:October 31,
1067:October 31,
1041:October 31,
846:Screen Rant
100:Ron Dorfman
86:Alan Dellay
57:Produced by
39:Directed by
1311:1976 films
1305:Categories
1179:August 28,
896:Rue Morgue
795:2020-05-04
736:Stine 2015
723:References
644:De La Soul
622:Home media
541:Censorship
511:quartering
495:guillotine
479:stretching
471:amputation
459:amputation
451:amputation
353:striptease
349:lobotomies
286:dark-comic
187:91 minutes
124:Production
49:Written by
785:0362-4331
338:Hollywood
258:from the
105:Edited by
83:Dan Fauci
77:Viju Krem
1282:AllMovie
1201:(2012).
1173:411Mania
1153:Archived
1131:Archived
1126:AllMovie
1030:TV Guide
851:Archived
823:Archived
587:TV Guide
503:whipping
475:chainsaw
455:bone saw
423:Eli Roth
334:Broadway
256:R-rating
192:Language
115:Music by
65:Starring
1291:at the
1192:Sources
879:. 2014.
873:Blu-ray
683:Shudder
664:(WCW).
632:Blu-ray
517:Release
342:missing
195:English
171:1976-11
169: (
126:company
1247:
1228:
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901:May 4,
783:
668:Legacy
509:, and
487:caning
457:, the
427:parody
409:Themes
289:parody
699:Notes
685:with
507:darts
443:skull
1271:IMDb
1245:ISBN
1226:ISBN
1207:ISBN
1181:2021
1095:2014
1069:2014
1043:2014
1011:2023
903:2020
781:ISSN
691:and
606:The
447:vise
441:, a
367:Cast
299:Plot
1280:at
1269:at
681:on
628:DVD
552:sue
493:by
481:on
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