Controversial films have been a part of the medium since the dawn of filmmaking. Sometimes the controversy comes from the subject matter, and other times it comes from a film being ahead of its time. Something that was seen as controversial back in the day may be seen as tame in modern times.
However, there are some films where the controversy has stood the test of time. Certain controversies have dogged some classic films ever since their release. Some of those controversies have even affected how people perceive classic films today. It is clear that there will always be controversies for films, no matter the era.
This article discusses sexual assault, racism, and the unethical treatment of others
10 A Clockwork Orange Got An X-Rating At Release
Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange follows gang leader Alex, who is arrested and participates in a conduct-aversion experiment. Based on Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name, A Clockwork Orange was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and has since gained a cult following.
A Clockwork Orange was originally given an X rating in its first release due to the subject matter that included theft, drugs, sexual assault, and gang violence. It was a controversial film with critics and viewers, which left many divided. A Clockwork Orange was famously banned in a number of countries, including Malta, Ireland, and Singapore, for nearly 30 years.
9 Birth Of A Nation Was Groundbreaking And Reprehensible
Birth of a Nation is an example of a film that made groundbreaking technical strides that influenced filmmaking forever, yet the film itself is reprehensible. Released in 1915, the story follows the Stoneman family through the American Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It also covers the formation of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
Birth of a Nation is blatantly racist to African Americans and portrays them in a poor, misleading light. In addition, most of the African Americans in the film are played by white actors in blackface. The KKK is also viewed positively, which is absolutely revolting. Writer and film historian Anthony Slide called Birth of a Nation the "most controversial film ever made in the United States" in his book American Racist: The Life and Films of Thomas Dixon.
8 Ecstasy Featured Sex, Nudity, And Problematic On-Set Behaviors
Ecstasy was extremely controversial upon release in 1933. Eva has just married an older, wealthy man, but she becomes bored with him and leaves. Eva meets a young engineer and they become lovers, but her ex-husband unexpectedly re-enters the picture.
Ecstasy was controversial for a few reasons. For one, it was the first non-pornographic film to depict a woman having an orgasm. This caused an uproar with the censors at the time, also for a scene in which Eva swims nude. On top of all this, director Gustav Machaty; in order to get a specific reaction from his star, Hedy Lamarr, stuck a needle in her buttocks, which is problematic on so many levels.
7 Disney Will Never Let Song Of The South Out Of The Vault
Song of the South has the kindly Uncle Remus telling the tales of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear to the young Johnny. Using a mix of live-action and animated characters, the film takes place on a plantation during America's Reconstruction era. It won two Academy Awards, one of them an Honorary Oscar for James Baskett for his portrayal of Uncle Remus.
Song of the South has garnered much controversy due to its depiction of race. Critics have pointed out how the film reinforces stereotypes of African Americans and glorifies slavery. It has never received a home release, and former Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the film will never be released on Disney+.
6 Life Of Brian Was Seen As Blasphemous
Monty Python's Life of Brian came from the infamous comedy group Monty Python. In the film, Brian Cohen is constantly being mistaken for Jesus Christ after being born on the same day as well as growing up next to Jesus. Brian's life gets more and more complicated as he is continually mistaken for the Messiah.
While Life of Brian was well received by film critics, it faced accusations of blasphemy due to its religious satire. Religious groups also criticized the crucifixion scene for mocking Jesus' death. This only fueled Monty Python, as they used the criticisms of the film as part of the marketing to comedic effect.
5 Fritz the Cat Was Ahead Of Its Time
In 1972, Fritz the Cat became the first animated film to ever receive an X-rating. Based on the comic strip by R. Crumb, the film follows Fritz, a womanizing cat in New York City, as he drops out of college in the 1960s and inadvertently becomes a leftist revolutionary.
Surprisingly, Fritz the Cat ended up being a financial hit, grossing $90 million worldwide. Despite being a satire, the film was criticized for its use of sex, drug use, and profanity, especially from conservative audiences and Crumb himself, who felt that the film was overly critical of the radical left movement. It can be argued that the film paved the way for shows like South Park and Family Guy in the future.
4 The Good Earth Did Not Cast Chinese Actors For The Lead Roles... Of Chinese Farmers
The Good Earth follows Chinese farmers as they struggle to survive in pre-World War I China. It is based on the novel of the same name by Pearl S. Buck, which was adapted for the stage in 1932 by Owen & Donald Davis. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards and won Best Actress and Best Cinematography.
Star Luise Rainer won Best Actress for her portrayal as the lead's wife O-Lan. However, Rainer herself was German, not Chinese. Buck and producer Irving Thalberg intended for the cast to be all Chinese, but the studio determined that American audiences would not be interested in a film with a Chinese cast - something that still happens all too often today. Chinese-American actress Anna May-Wong; a friend of Buck's, famously sought after the role of O-Lan but was passed over, which devastated her.
3 Freaks Left Viewers In Disgust
Freaks was released in 1932 and is about a group of carnival sideshow performers. In the film, a trapeze artist joins the group, marries the dwarf leader, and conspires to kill him to take his inheritance.
The film was a bomb critically and commercially. Test screenings found audiences were horrified by the film, especially the ending where the trapeze artist is tortured by the performers and turned into a “human duck” for revenge. The film had several cuts and endings in order to appeal to the censors and was even banned in a few countries.
2 Last Tango in Paris' Most Infamous Scene Was Not Coordinated With Actress Beforehand
Last Tango in Paris starred Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider as a couple who begin a sexual relationship in Paris, France. It was the seventh-highest grossing film of 1972, the same year Brando starred in The Godfather.
The film received an X rating primarily for its sexual content. A famous scene that caused controversy was a scene where Brando’s character assaults Schneider’s while using butter as a lubricant. Schneider was uncomfortable filming the scene, and the director later stated that the use of butter was improvised on the day and Schneider was not notified beforehand. After this information came out, the film's status as a classic and what kind of message it sends to budding filmmakers has often been debated.
1 Straw Dogs Unnerved Viewers
Straw Dogs stars Dustin Hoffman as David, a man who takes revenge on a small town after his wife Amy is brutally assaulted. Tensions boil over, and David responds violently, fighting to protect his wife.
The film’s controversy came from its two sexual assault scenes, seen as brutal, shocking, and prolonged. It was also criticized for glamorizing the act, as Amy kisses and embraces her attacker in one of the scenes. The extreme violence also caused some to say that the film endorsed violence as redemption.