Heads Up, Ears Down

This blog accurately identifies depictions of violence and cruelty toward animals in films. The purpose is to provide viewers with a reliable guide so that such depictions do not come as unwelcome surprises. Films will be accurately notated, providing a time cue for each incident along with a concise description of the scene and perhaps relevant context surrounding the incident. In order to serve as a useful reference tool, films having no depictions of violence to animals will be included, with an indication that there are no such scenes. This is confirmation that the films have been watched with the stated purpose in mind.


Note that the word depictions figures prominently in the objective. It is a travesty that discussions about cruelty in film usually are derailed by the largely unrelated assertion that no animals really were hurt (true only in some films, dependent upon many factors), and that all this concern is just over a simulation. Not the point, whether true or false. We do not smugly dismiss depictions of five-year-olds being raped because those scenes are only simulations. No, we are appalled that such images are even staged, and we are appropriately horrified that the notion now has been planted into the minds of the weak and cruel.


Depictions of violence or harm to animals are assessed in keeping with our dominant culture, with physical abuse, harmful neglect, and similar mistreatment serving as a base line. This blog does not address extended issues of animal welfare, and as such does not identify scenes of people eating meat or mules pulling plows. The goal is to itemize images that might cause a disturbance in a compassionate household.


These notes provide a heads-up but do not necessarily discourage watching a film because of depicted cruelty. Consuming a piece of art does not make you a supporter of the ideas presented. Your ethical self is created by your public rhetoric and your private actions, not by your willingness to sit through a filmed act of violence.

Mystics in Bali

Mystics in Bali (Leák). H. Tjut Djalil, 1981.
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Edition screened: Mondo Macabro DVD, released 2007. Indonesian with English dub. Runtime approximately 89 minutes.

Summary: Mistreatment of white mice.

Details: Cathy looks ill at 47:56 and runs to the bathroom to vomit. We see something begin to come out of her mouth, interrupted by a cut to the shower floor where a live white mouse plops down drenched in colorful chunky spew. A second mouse lands soon thereafter, and Cathy is done puking live rodents by 48:15. 

It is typical of Mystics in Bali that Cathy’s boyfriend, his pleasant morning just interrupted by unearthly mouse vomiting, stands by Cathy’s side at the stinky shower, provides a comforting embrace, and agrees “Yes, it must have been something you ate at the dinner party last night.” Cathy never mentioned any dinner party, and we viewers saw no such thing. However Cathy did turn into a python that evening and presumably swallowed a few live mice. But see, her boyfriend doesn’t know about that and it hadn’t come up in conversation yet. The mouse barf merits no further discussion and the couple go on about their day jam-packed with unnecessary costume changes.

I hear folks who watch a pretty limited range of movies say, “It’s like something from David Lynch” when trying to describe how ‘weird’ (their term) a film is. David Lynch’s movies deal with the subconscious and the unspoken and are not particularly weird unless the general concepts of metaphor and symbolic expression threaten the viewer to such a degree that those qualities must be denounced as “weird” – just in case some important Amish client might be hiding around a corner, listening in silent judgement. The truly cloistered come to describe anything lacking a linear plot as “really weird.”

Mystics in Bali comes close to demonstrating genuine weirdness in film. Several times in Mystics, Cathy’s head levitates off her neck and flies around the village with a kite tail of spine and internal organs dangling below, then returns home and neatly reconnects until next time. The weirdness of these rather boring scenes lies in the fact that they are not gory or horrifying. If the flying head were in a Wes Craven film, that presentation would provide a limited range of comfortable options for viewer reaction: close your eyes and pretend to be scared; or roll your eyes and demonstrate nonchalance; or feign moral outrage on behalf of the fantasy Amish auditor. But the calm depiction in Mystics, lacking emotion or consequences, leaves the viewer not knowing how to react. A sputtering flail of self-conscious laughter is the usual release valve.

Rocky Horror, for example, is the exact opposite of this, a testament to its enduring popularity. Rocky Horror provides non-stop comfort and assurance to the viewer in a variety of ways: 1) It’s just a musical comedy with a linear plot, telegraphed gags, traditionally staged dance routines, and all the other attributes that make South Pacific equally beloved by previous generations; 2) Rather than being set in the 1940s, Rocky Horror presents a 1970s concept of the edgy and outrageous, thus making today’s vital hip audience only forty years behind the times rather than seventy; 3) As a straight-forward musical comedy, there never is any question of how you are supposed to react to a line, a gag, or plot development; 4) These well-trod reactions themselves have become a scripted and memorized part of the movie-watching experience; 5) Most significantly, you don’t really watch the movie at all -- a fantasy-come-true for people who really aren’t interested in films. The experience is entirely about you, and the film supports The Wonder of You. You and your bag of props. Your fascinating account of the first time you saw Rocky Horror. Your belief that memorization of dialogue is an indicator of something. Your repulsive turning sideways to share a giggle with someone else about his or her bag of crap. Your recounting of what an awesome experience it is. But be prepared: It’s kinda weird.

The Mutant Chronicles

The Mutant Chronicles. Simon Hunter, 2009.
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Edition screened: Magnolia DVD, released 2009. English language. Runtime approximately 111 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Mildred Pierce (Haynes)

Mildred Pierce. Todd Haynes, 2011.
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Edition screened: HBO Blu-ray, released 2012. English language. Runtime approximately 300 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton. Tony Gilroy, 2007.
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Edition screened: Warner Blu-ray, released 2008. English language. Runtime approximately 120 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Maxwell’s Demon

Maxwell’s Demon. Hollis Frampton, 1968.
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Edition screened: Included on Criterion Blu-ray #607 A Hollis Frampton Odyssey, released 2012. No dialogue track. Runtime approximately 3 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Martyrs

Martyrs. Pascal Laugier, 2008.
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Edition screened: Genius “Unrated” DVD, released 2009. French language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 99 minutes.

Summary: A woman displays a dead white mouse to her family, 10:11-10:24.


Mark of the Devil

Mark of the Devil (Hexen bis aufs Blut gequält). Michael Armstrong, 1970.
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Edition screened: Arrow Blu-ray, released 2015. German language or English dub. Runtime approximately 97 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Manual of Arms

Manual of Arms. Hollis Frampton, 1966.
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Edition screened: Included on Criterion Blu-ray #607 A Hollis Frampton Odyssey, released 2012. Silent. Runtime approximately 17 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Maniac Cop

Maniac Cop. William Lustig, 1988.
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Edition screened: Arrow Blu-ray, released 2013. English language. Runtime approximately 85 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Lulu on the Bridge

Lulu on the Bridge. Paul Auster, 1998.
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Edition screened: Lions Gate DVD, released 1999. English language. Runtime approximately 103 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Loves of a Blonde

Loves of a Blonde (Lásky jedné plavovlásky). Milŏs Forman, 1965.
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Edition screened: Janus Essential Art House DVD (Criterion #144), released 2010. Czech language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 85 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Peter Jackson, 2002.
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Edition screened: Included in New Line The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Extended Edition Blu-ray box set, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 222 minutes.

Summary: Combat killing of fantasy animals.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that accompany or bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly with no emphasis on silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Peter Jackson, 2003.
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Edition screened: Included in New Line The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Extended Edition Blu-ray box set, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 251 minutes.

Summary: Combat killing of fantasy animals.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that accompany or bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly with no emphasis on silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Peter Jackson, 2001.
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Edition screened: Included in New Line The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy - Extended Edition Blu-ray box set, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 210 minutes.

Summary: Combat killing of fantasy animals.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that accompany or bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly with no emphasis on silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.

Locke

Locke. Steven Knight, 2013.
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Edition screened: Lions Gate Blu-ray, released 2014. Scots English with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 84 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para chocolate). Alfonso Arau, 1992.
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Edition screened: Arrow Blu-ray, released 2015. Spanish language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 105 minutes.

Summary: Mild cooking violence.

Details:
1) Brief scene of quails being plucked, 27:06-27:10
2) A butchered pig’s head hangs on the wall during dialogue and action, 44:43-46:07.
3) A pig is impaled on a spit over a fire, 1:16:54-1:17:00


Lemon

Lemon. Hollis Frampton, 1969.
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Edition screened: Included on Criterion Blu-ray #607 A Hollis Frampton Odyssey, released 2012. Silent. Runtime approximately 7 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Last Words

Last Words (Letzte Worte). Werner Herzog, 1968.
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Edition screened: Included in BFI The Werner Herzog Collection Blu-ray box set, released 2014. Greek language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 13 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Lady Snowblood

Lady Snowblood (Shurayukihime). Toshiya Fujita, 1973.
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Edition screened: Criterion Blu-ray # 790, included in The Complete Lady Snowblood, released 2016. Japanese language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 89 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.

The Criterion package also contains Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974).


Swords and Hearts

Swords and Hearts. D.W. Griffith, 1911.
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Edition screened: Included on Kino Blu-ray The Birth of a Nation, released 2011. English intertitles, no dialogue track. Runtime approximately 16 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.

A Jester’s Tale

A Jester’s Tale (Bláznova kronika). Karel Zeman, 1964.
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Edition screened: Second Run DVD #89, released 2014. Czech language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 81 minutes.

No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.

A Jester’s Tale is a delightful fantasy romance, generously crafted by the director and populated with likable characters and attractive actors. The charisma of Zeman’s pre-computerized effects is achingly admirable.

Black Mirror: White Christmas

Black Mirror: White Christmas. Carl Tibbets, 2014.
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Edition screened: Included in Channel 4 DVD box set Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror Series 1, 2 and Special, released 2015. English language. Runtime approximately 74 minutes.

No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

As of this posting, “White Christmas” may or may not be considered the first episode of a third series of Black Mirror.

















Black Mirror: Second Series

Black Mirror: Second Series. Various directors, 2013.
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Edition screened: Included in Channel 4 DVD box set Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror Series 1, 2 and Special, released 2015. English language. Runtime approximately 133 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

The second series of Black Mirror includes the three episodes:
“Be Right Back” (Owen Harris, dir.)
“White Bear” (Carl Tibbetts, dir.)
“The Waldo Moment” (Bryn Higgins, dir.)

















Black Mirror: First Series

Black Mirror: First Series. Various directors, 2011.
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Edition screened: Included in Channel 4 DVD box set Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror Series 1, 2 and Special, released 2015. English language. Runtime approximately 153 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

The first series of Black Mirror includes the three episodes:
“The National Anthem” (Otto Bathurst, dir.) - Manipulative use of an animal, yes. Harm to that animal, no.
“Fifteen Million Merits” (Euros Lyn, dir.)
“The Entire HIstory of You” (Brian Welsch, dir.)

















The Big Heat

The Big Heat. Fritz Lang, 1953.
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Edition screened: Columbia TriStar DVD, released 2001. English language. Runtime approximately 89 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

A excellent crime drama with fine acting and unusual female characterizations.



In Which We Serve

In Which We Serve. Noël Coward and David Lean, 1942.
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Edition screened: Criterion #604, included in 4-Blu-ray set # 603 David Lean Directs Noël Coward, released 2012. English language. Runtime approximately 114 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

















In the Border States

In the Border States. D.W. Griffith, 1910.
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Edition screened: Included on Kino Blu-ray The Birth of a Nation, released 2011. English intertitles, no dialogue track. Runtime approximately 16 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.


Island of Lost Souls

Island of Lost Souls. Erle C. Kenton, 1932.
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Edition screened: Criterion Blu-ray #586, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 70 minutes.

This quality adaptation of the H.G. Wells’ story has an underpinning in animal experimentation, but the film contains no depictions of violence or harm to animals.

Island of Lost Souls is a more gripping and provocative viewing experience than I expected; really quite entertaining and thought provoking. The Criterion release includes several interviews that aid one’s appreciation of the film, and an especially intelligent interview with founding members of Devo in which they explain Island of Lost Souls’ influence on the band. Devo’s 1976 short film In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-Evolution also is provided.


In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-Evolution

In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-Evolution. Chuck Statler, 1976.
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Edition screened: Included on Criterion Blu-ray #586 Island of Lost Souls, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 10 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

This music video film and the accompanying interview with Devo leaders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh helps us better understand the political and sociological underpinnings of these intelligent artists.


The Human Centipede 2 [Full Sequence]

The Human Centipede 2 [Full Sequence]. Tom Six, 2011.
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Edition screened: Monster Pictures 4-disc Special Ltd Edition Dual Format SteelBook, released 2012. English language. Runtime approximately 91 minutes.

Summary: Feeding live animals to a centipede.

Details:
1) A tiny fetal-looking animal, perhaps a newborn rodent, is lifted from a jar of grasshoppers by tweezers and given to a centipede, 16:34-16:50.
2) A grasshopper similarly is taken from the jar and dispatched, 51:22-51:40.

The Monster Pictures steelbook package also includes The Human Centipede [First Sequence].

The Human Centipede [First Sequence]

The Human Centipede [First Sequence]. Tom Six, 2009.
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Edition screened: Monster Pictures 4-disc Special Ltd Edition Dual Format SteelBook, released 2012. English language. Runtime approximately 92 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

The Monster Pictures steelbook package also includes The Human Centipede 2 [Full Sequence].



@ BL

The House with Closed Shutters

The House with Closed Shutters. D.W. Griffith, 1910.
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Edition screened: Included on Kino Blu-ray The Birth of a Nation, released 2011. English intertitles, no dialogue track. Runtime approximately 17 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.


House of Games

House of Games. David Mamet, 1987.
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Edition screened: Criterion DVD #399, released 2007. English language. Runtime approximately 102 minutes.

Summary: No depictions of violence or harm to animals.

Bar scene about 41 minutes in has a 1979 Stern Meteor and a 1979 Stern Hot Hand.


The Home-Made Car

The Home-Made Car. James Hill, 1963.
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Edition screened: Included on BFI Flipside Blu-ray #017 Lunch Hour, released 2011. English language. Runtime approximately 28 minutes.

No particular depictions of violence toward animals in this promotion film for British Petroleum.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Peter Jackson, 2014.
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Edition screened: Warner ‘Two-Disc Special Edition’ DVD, released 2015. English language. Runtime approximately 169 minutes.

Summary: Combat killing of fantasy animals.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly and there are no Zack Snyder-style silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Peter Jackson, 2013.
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Edition screened: Warner ‘Two-Disc Special Edition’ DVD, released 2014. English language. Runtime approximately 170 minutes.

Summary: Combat killing of fantasy animals.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly and there are no Zack Snyder-style silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Peter Jackson, 2012.
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Edition screened: Warner ‘Two-Disc Special Edition’ DVD, released 2013. English language. Runtime approximately 169 minutes.

Summary: Woodland animals dying from an evil magical contamination; combat killing of fantasy animals.

1) A sympathetic montage shows rabbits and foxes lying dead or dying in the woods, 51:39-51:44. 
2) This disaster focuses on Sebastian the hedgehog who is taken back to the wizard’s home for treatment, but still appears to be dying 52:01-53:38. Sebastian is revived at 54:18.

Like the other films in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, various animals are depicted as killed in combat situations that are clearly computer animated. Most of these animals are menacing fantasy creatures that bear human riders, usually killed by spear or bow. Their deaths come quickly and there are no Zack Snyder-style silly blood sprays or gratuitous gore.


His Trust Fulfilled

His Trust Fulfilled. D.W. Griffith, 1910.
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Edition screened: Included on Kino Blu-ray The Birth of a Nation, released 2011. English intertitles, no dialogue track. Runtime approximately 11 minutes.

Summary: No particular depictions of violence or harm to animals.