This year “I Spit on Your Grave” was given a deluxe box set on Blu-Ray and 4K allowing fans a new vision for what is easily one of the most upsetting, polarizing, and controversial films ever made. The Meir Zarchi film that popularized the volatile sub-genre rape-revenge films has spawned dozens of cinematic carbon copies (along with infamous bile from Roger Ebert), and features one of the most notorious castration scenes ever depicted. In commemoration of “I Spit in Your Grave” being released to fans yet again, I thought I’d sound off five of some of the more grotesque movie castrations ever filmed.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Dir. Ruggero Deodato
After proceeding to rape a village woman, and systematically violate an entire tribe of cannibals just looking to go about their business and survive, the team of ill-fated documentary filmmakers find themselves in the middle of an ambush. In the chaotic, deeply disturbing blood soaked climax, as the people they exploited mob them, the trio of predatory American filmmakers are attacked, and their bodies are literally torn shreds one by one.
From the removal of heads and guts, and violation of the sole American woman of the film group, right down to the sadistic central villain Alan Yates who has his entire bottom half (with testicles and all) ripped by hand. They’re then held high as trophies with a truly horrendous example of what happens when you poke a sleeping lion.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Dir. Quentin Tarantino
You’ve all seen it, and yes, you can barely imagine what excruciating pain Zed endured in his final moments alive after having his junk blown to bits by a 12 gauge by vengeful mob boss Marcellus Wallace. After being tired down and anally raped by Zed, the homosexual and sadistic deviant and his sidekick Maynard, they make the mistake of not watching Butch. Their second mistake is allowing him an exit with easy access to a plethora of melee weapons including a chainsaw and baseball bat. Zed’s final mistake was in not jumping out of the way and having all evidence of his manhood obliterated thanks to the very vindictive Wallace who would make his life a living hell very soon.
Hard Candy (2006)
Dir. David Slade
Cold, calculating and utterly sadistic, Hayley Stark is able to predict her attacker Jeff’s movements at every turn. She deduces his desires and physical advantages whenever he thinks he has the upper hand. It’s like she’s done this before. After discovering his extensive collection of child pornography, she decides to perform some “protective maintenance” on him. Waking up strapped to a table, Hayley decides to surgically remove all of his reproductive organs. In spite of Jeff pleading and howling for mercy at her utterly empowering position, Hayley persists, and Jeff watches while she surgically cuts his privates off… and grinds them in his trash compactor– just in case. It was her final excruciating practical joke.
Teeth (2007)
Dir. Mitchell Lichtenstein
In “Teeth” there are not one, not two, but three (!) castrations. Sure the movie is a brilliant allegory for fear of sex, but there’s the utterly gory and disgusting nut chomping that will have men grabbing their pieces and squirming in their seats. “Teeth” is the story of young religious girl named Dawn and a deformity on her body called “Vagina Dentata,” a reflex that causes her vagina to clamp down sharp teeth whenever she’s penetrated against her will. This causes many men to desire this basically unattainable girl and inflict sexual violence on her. The poor bastards have no idea what they’re in store for, but the frantic screams and bloody stumps should serve as a hint to the audience and leave the men unleashing nauseating groans every time.
I Spit on Your Grave (Day of the Woman) (1978)
Dir. Meir Zarchi
One of the most upsetting and polarizing films of all time concludes with its central character setting off a campaign of revenge and pure horrendous violence on the man that destroyed her body. After being gang raped over, and over, and over, Jennifer Hill (Camille Keaton) appears years later to strike back at her tormentors one by one, and saves the most horrific punishment for her primary abuser Johnny.
She meets up with the slimy Johnny, lures him back to her house, seduces him, and convinces him to engage in some bath play. She then proceeds to rub him until he achieves an erection and then swiftly disconnects his organ with a rusty butcher knife. It’s still one of the most painful on-screen deaths of all time, and one of the worst torture sequences ever filmed. It’s especially grueling as Jennifer locks the door allowing him to bleed to death, screaming in horror as she joyously soaks in his final agonizing moments.