10 Surprisingly Bloody Horror Movies From the 1970s

Any decade of horror could be considered a seminal moment for the genre, such is the consistently excellent production it has brought to audiences over time. However, if you had to name an era that introduced horror fans to great auteurs, enduring franchises, and superbly gory scenesit was the 1970s. It was a breeding ground for talented filmmakers and was capable of producing extreme content, just before the UK’s “video nasty” era of the early 1980s almost derailed it.

Horror films from the 1970s deserve more love and benefited from American censors becoming more tolerant of violent images. This has resulted in creative filmmakers trying their best to produce resources that went beyond the limits of cinema censorship. When you look at the must-see horror films of the 1970s, you will discover that many of the wonderful films are surprisingly gory and reached new heights of depravity for the time.

10

Martinho (1978)

Directed by George A. Romero

Although the legendary George A. Romero was best known for the groundbreaking Undead series, some of his previous work has proven to be as gruesome and bloody as his Zombie films. An excellent example is Romero’s 1978 vampire film, Martin.

The title may seem innocent and somewhat innocuous, but the film features some seriously bloody moments. Perhaps the most surprising element Martin it’s just that it’s been a largely forgotten gem from an era with more obvious horror classics. Its focus on the titular teenager is fascinating.

At first, you’re not sure if he’s just an emotionally stunted teenager full of angst and a burning desire to find a way out of it. The deaths, when they come, are a shock, and while they aren’t as bloody as Romero’s most famous work, they still deliver a chilling shock.

9

A Bay of Blood (1971)

Directed by Mário Bava

Some horror films from the 1970s promised a certain level of bloodshed just for its title. The true story that inspired The Texas Chainsaw Massacre suggested the film would be a bloodbath, but it actually ended up being more disturbing than gory.

One film that maintained its gory premise albeit in a number of surprising ways was Mario Bava’s 1971 horror film A Bay of Blood. The film is considered one of the first horror films, with its setting near a large body of water, surrounded by woods, evoking later classics in the franchise, such as Friday the 13thhinting at the carnage to come.

It’s refreshing to look back on a film that delivers on the gory promise of its title, and while some of the kills may seem tame compared to later horror entries, this Italian film proves that gory excess can still come as a shock.

8

Driller Killer (1979)

Directed by Abel Ferrara

In the early 1980s, the United Kingdom took a tough stance on a number of horror films that were considered too shocking for public consumption. leading to the famous “video nasty” era that followed. However, many of the nasty videos are now considered classics, especially one that promises so much just from its provocative title; The puncher killer by the great Abel Ferrara.

Despite being released in the US with an R rating, The puncher killer made the UK’s infamous list, and although the film isn’t as bloody as you’d expect from the title, still offers some surprisingly brutal moments. The film received numerous complaints upon its release on VHS in 1982, which showed a drill being driven into a man’s skull. While the bloodshed in the film doesn’t seem as horrific now, its moments of violence shocked audiences in the late ’70s.

7

Bloodsucking Freaks (1976)

Directed by Joel M. Reed

The plot of Bloodsucking freaks he follows a sadistic theater director named Sardu who tortures women and forces them into humiliating acts of sexual slavery as part of their shows. It was met with derision by critics at the time of its release in 1976, who lamented the film for being too gross.

Looking back on the film, the most surprising element is how happily it embraces its exploitation roots. Interestingly, the film has been retitled several times; of Sardu: Master of the Screaming Virginsto The incredible torture showfor Troma Entertainment to eventually rebrand it as Bloodsucking freaks.

It’s a must see if you like over-the-top gorein addition to there being real-life tragedies linked to the film, due to the accidental deaths that Bloodsucking freaks became associated. The grotesque film offers disgusting moments that are as surprising as they are sadistic.

6

Suspiria (1977)

Directed by Dario Argento

One of the most influential horror directors of all time is Dario Argento. The Italian auteur is best known for creating films with melancholic imagery and also for pioneering the historical mystery genre Giallo. Argento created some of the best horror films of the 70s, with the influential Suspiria an excellent example of graphic horror cinema.

Suspiria is the first film in The three mothers trilogy and follows a German ballet school that acts as a front for a series of increasingly gruesome murders. Argento’s film reveals the supernatural scare it evokeswith the relentless violence often coming at shocking intervals. People are stabbed in the heart, throats are ripped out, and in between the cuts and slashes, there’s a surprisingly brutal story that ends in flames.

5

Zombie (1979)

Directed by Lúcio Fulci

Another film that fell out of favor with the UK censors and was subsequently labeled as one of the “video disgusting films” is Lucio Fulci’s. Zombie flesh eatersor as it is also known Zombieand Zombie 2. The film is not as controversial as UK censors reportedly claimed upon release.

However, this does not mean that there is no offer some surprising carnage. In one scene, a zombie takes a bite out of a surprised shark, while another graphically It depicts a woman’s eyeball being pierced by a shard of glass.

This was the scene that initially had censors up in arms, and while it offers some shocking imagery, it’s pretty tame by today’s standards. Especially considering the brutality and blood in the Terrifying series. Ultimately, though, Fulci’s film offers some wonderfully macabre images in your zombie infestation.

4

Carrie (1976)

Directed by Brian De Palma

One of the most talented directors whose work spans several decades is the great Brian De Palma. His filmmaking resume includes classic thrillers like 1980s Dressed to kill and Double body 1984.

However, his most influential film, Carrienot only did it form a lasting legacy in popular culture, but it also offered quite a shock when it was first released. The film is rightly considered a masterpiece, and the fact that Carrie still holds up today it’s a testament to De Palmas’ skill as a director.

The story of a teenager with telekinetic powers shocked audiences in 1976 by unleashing Carrie and her rage in an incredible split-screen finale. The prom scene is rightfully considered one of the most iconic images in horror cinema, but it was also Carrie’s fractured relationship with her mother that shocked audiences. Furthermore, the film knows how to end with a perfect scare.

3

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Directed by George A. Romero

George A. Romero’s zombie classic, Dawn of the Dead changed the genre. The film is such an influential piece of genre cinema that not only inspired a very good remake by Zack Snyder in 2004but he also surprised audiences in 1978 with his relentless gore.

The less said about some of the makeup, however, the better. George A. Romero ultimately created an undead universe that featured numerous sequels to his 1968 classic, Night of the Living Dead. However, Dawn of the Dead It’s his best zombie film.

The mall action allows the increasingly claustrophobic action to take center stage. Audiences expected more carnage than the 1968 original, but there was a big on-screen shock with human flesh being torn apart mercilessly.

2

Jaws (1975)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

One of the most surprisingly bloody horror films, released as a PG in the US in 1975, is Jaws. THE all-time classic by the great Steven Spielberg is one of the best and most influential films of all time, and not just in the horror genre.

Jaws is a highly rewatchable thriller with family drama and themes of friendship at the center of its narrative. The film is also one of the most surprisingly gory films ever released with such a lenient age rating.

Some of the shark attack scenes arrive with blood gushing from the waterand there are also limbs ripped off, people being eaten alive, and one of the best jump scares in film history in an underwater sequence. Jaws it’s a simply wonderful film and it’s a testament to Spielberg’s influence that the censors allowed it to go unscathed.

1

Foreigner (1979)

Directed by Ridley Scott

English director Ridley Scott has had a brilliant career that has spanned several decades. One of his most successful films, which spawned many sequels, prequels and tie-ins, is the science fiction classic Foreigner 1979. A more cynical approach to Star Wars craze that began in 1977, Foreigner It’s a beautiful combination of horror and science fiction.

There’s no doubting the legacy the film left behind, but when it was released in 1979, it proved to be one of the most shocking and surprising monster movies not only for audiences, but also for the main cast during a pivotal scene.

The moment an alien baby bursts out of John Hurt’s chest after he’s impregnated by a Face Hugger is such a shocking body-splatter moment horrorthe reaction on the cast’s faces in the scene was genuine.