[swiss tony]

Originally Posted by Ash's_evil_hand

I'd go with Irreversible, and August Undergroud - Mordum.

As far as what makes a movie brutal, I've seen a few theories on this while reading through the various threads on the subject. My own thoughts are that a truly brutal film is one where the victims have done nothing to merit the violence visited upon them.

Most horror films, you can pick out the victims by their actions. Having sex, going exploring unexplained noises alone in the dark, we are programmed to see these kinds of things as triggers for upcoming bed happenings. Strangely, as brutal as this violence often is, it's not regarded as such by the viewer.

However, when you have victims that are chosen completely indiscriminately, who have done nothing to indicate to us what is about to happen, this is where I feel the brutality of a film.

Also, for me, I just can't see the brutality of a film like, for example, Braindead (Dead Alive). Yes, lots and lots of gore, but it's a supernatural type story. For a film to feel brutal to me, it has to be completely believable - no monsters or ghosts, or unkillable slashers a la Jason, just mortal people being violent to other people. Gets me every time, because it could happen.

hence, the passion of the christ is the most brutal. it really does tick all the boxes, and it actually happened, depending on your view point (but please don't open up that can of worms, again).