Criterion Collection films that SHOCKED me...

These are just a few of the films within the Criterion Collection that shocked me upon initial viewing. Some horrifying, some delightful - all of these films had a huge impact on me.

[@ElliotCoen]

Have YOU had any shocking experiences watching a film in the Criterion Collection?

[@pete49327]

Antichrist. I promise that if you had watched Antichrist you would have had it at top of your shocked list...........imo. I watched it streamed all the way through, and I'll never watch it again. Another word to describe it other than shocking would be "disturbing."

[@Fredo_Viola]

Salo and Sweet Movie are both pretty shocking for different reasons. I hold both in very high regard, but Sweet Movie for me is actually quite a moving film and I return to it every so often.

[@GyntherMeyer]

The Emigrants and The New Land were shown in Scandinavia edited into an 8 part tv series in the 1970s. I watched it with my parents when I was 8 years old and it was the most grim, bleak and boring thing I had ever watched. For a long time this tv series was what I would compare other boring things to. It took me 40 years to finally rewatch the two films via a Scandinavian dvd and as an adult I loved them immensely (the dvd contains the original film versions - unfortunately the tv series version hasn't been screened since the 70s). Now I also own the Criterion Blu-ray.

[@guitaraobscura8802]

The Emigrants and The New Land are so underrated. Most shocking for me in the collection has to be Sweet Movie. Mainly in the horrifying way.

[@ElliotCoen]

Now, when is the Sweet Movie blu-ray upgrade coming!?

[@richardking3206]

I’ve had an eye on Emigrants and The New Land for a long time, but haven’t seen any reviews of it, so I’ve not bitten that bullet. I’d still like to see some proper review before I invest. In fact there are a whole bunch of US Criterion releases of films that don’t seem to get reviewed, let alone released over here. I must pull together a list. You might be the person to ask, Elliot!

[@Kev_Cos]

Come and See, to this day I've never had an experience like it. I've generally never been stirred by 'horror' movies ever, but Come and See truly shocked me. One particular sequence (which I believe most here who've seen it know what I'm referring to) which goes on for quite long...I genuinely came close to forgetting I was watching a movie. The fact it was true events, I've never been so moved by something in my entire life than that scene. Like stepping into a nightmare.

[@Martinmd-zt7vu]

Love that you talked about The Unknown. That’s a really underrated film.

[@frankgetz6743]

Human Condition & Fires on the Plain were 2 that were kind of jolting for me but definitely left an impact.

[@philipmarinello8802]

When you mentioned that “Shock” was in the title I thought you were going to talk about Sam Fuller’s Shock Corridor which is one (along with The Naked Kiss) that I recommend to anyone who will listen. Hope we get more Fuller in the collection soon!

[@bcutler13]

I watched Spoorloos (1988) a.k.a. The Vanishing, earlier this year and without spoiling anything, it was a very unsettling experience. I've found myself thinking about the ending at least once a month since, and I didn't know anything about it going in. Shocking experience for sure.

[@ElliotCoen]

Yes, that is one of the most disturbing films to me. I’m always thinking about it!

[@melanie62954]

I just stumbled on your channel, and wanted to say that your voice is a great antidote to anxiety. So soothing! That said...these are great recommendations. Godfrey is one of my favorites and I've seen a few others (Phoenix is wonderful). I want to see F for Fake and will watch anything with Liv Ullmann, but I don't think I will ever gain the courage to watch Come and See.

[@blu-rayswithnathanjones]

Great choices, pal! Appreciate the array here. Several I have but haven't seen, and many I adore. Cheers, my friend

[@twcc406]

We overlap on four movies, 'Come and See', 'F for Fake', 'Emigrants and The New Land' and 'Anatomy of a Murder' ... I am with you on shock value. OFF TOPIC, went to see 'Anatomy of a Fall' last night and I heartily recommend as it is a cracking movie (if the cinema has a set of the folding postcards pick up a set as they are a rather good promo item based on Saul Bass artworks).

[@villane7427]

Great recs. If we allow the loose definition of being shocked how good some movies are and how nobody is talking about them, last year I bought these together and was shocked at how much I loved all of these relatively little known movies: Girlfriends, To Sleep with Anger, Deep Cover, Love & Basketball. Oh, I'm also shocked that actually I bought 5 movies that time and I still haven't watched the last one during the whole year - The Sword of Doom. Then getting more real, To Sleep With Anger has something really shocking in the movie itself as well and is such an uncomfortable watch at times.

[@OrangeBandMedia]

Great rec's as usual. Added some to my list to check out. Loved Come and See and I think My Man Godfrey I was actually recommended by you and have since bought because I loved it so much.

[@ElliotCoen]

I’m so glad to hear that, thank you!

[@rodrigollanes7619]

Great video! The Emigrants / The New Land are some of my favorite movies!

[@tdp_-tx9eu]

I love your videos, Elliot! I've purchased many films based on your recommendations. please keep them coming and I will keep on watching ✌️

[@ElliotCoen]

Thank you so much! I’ll keep the recommendations coming :)

[@m.dorado6966]

Great content. I have two of your recommendations on my shopping list this month. You have a unique and interesting way of presenting hidden gems in the Criterion world.

[@ElliotCoen]

Thank you for the lovely comment! It means a lot to me

[@SteveHorne]

Japón - Several scenes just were so unusual to me as to be described "shocking"

[@alandombrow584]

Thanks for helping me get my collection in order. I own four of the films you listed from Criterion. I own three others but not Criterion (I'll probably buy the Criterion version). That leaves just one selection that I didn't own, The Immigrants/The New Land. I just bought the Criterion edition on Amazon. I love Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann! Thanks for the tips! Excellent selections!

[@DavidWHorst]

I'm not sure if it's still on Criterion or not, but SALO, OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM is certainly shocking. I first saw it on Criterion LaserDisc about 30 years ago. [Note: For those who want to watch COME AND SEE before blind-buying, it is available on the Mosfilm KZbin channel. They have full versions of some of the films that they've produced over the past hundred years, including several by Andrei Tarkovsky (MIRROR, STALKER, SOLARIS, etc.), Sergei Eisenstein (BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN, IVAN THE TERRIBLE, etc.) and even all four parts of their epic seven-hour version of WAR AND PEACE from 1966-1967 among others.]

[@pete49327]

F for Fake was surprisingly entertaining (watched it streamed on Criterion Channel) and I now have it in my Criterion future buy list. But I didn't find it shocking in any way, just totally immersive, interesting, unique.

[@spaceodds1985]

How is it compared to Welles other works of the period. Does it have the memorability of his Paul Masson adverts?😉

[@henrybiedenkapp675]

Great selections of films, I've seen all except for PHOENIX. My experience with COME AND SEE is a bit different. I had watched this film many years ago, hearing about how great it was. I picked up the Kino version and it was unwatchable. I'm talking about the quality of the Kino video being so dark, I had no idea what was happening, so the Criterion was a revelation, not only cinematically, but quality wise. A SHOCKER both way. A masterpiece.

[@ericgeneric135]

Come and See is my favorite film of all time.

[@elizabethveldonstuff]

an amazing film.

[@maartenlemmens8628]

The Honeymoon Killers!🥶

[@localnut1]

Thanks!

[@ElliotCoen]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@danielthegeek4582]

I hated Come and See the first time I saw it.. really thought it was overrated and dull. Rewatched it recently (and some 25 years later), and my God what a film. It’s a bleak, depressing, haunting masterpiece. Difficult to say I “loved. It, but I definitely appreciate£ it. It’s a terrific film with an extraordinary performance from the lead actor.

[@spaceodds1985]

Come and See is like Saving Private Ryan, shocking for the visceral effect. Problem is the Soviets and Russia to this day glosses over on its own history and it is appalling. No one is a saint, and Russia certainly wasn’t/isn’t

[@ZillMob]

What do you think is the best dvd/bluray ever made is? Special features wise? I think pink floyds the wall is my pick. Clerks 10 year anniversary is also great with many docs and commentaries. Spinal tap has the best commentary track where the actors are in character the whole time. Practically a whole new movie

[@ElliotCoen]

That’s a great question! I’ll have to have a good think on it. I agree that the Spinal Tap commentary is one of the all time greats! Cheers

[@twcc406]

@ZillMob Interesting that you cite the Pink Floyd 'The Wall'. Here in the UK the only Blu-ray version of 'The Wall' is the Spanish import ... it is OK but not one to rave over; which Blu-ray have you watched ?? EDIT: I have just re-watched my copy and the 5.1 sound on the main feature is very good, the 'special features' are a bit SD rather than HD so I would genuinely like to know which version of the DVD/Blu-ray is your pick.

[@ZillMob]

@@twcc406 I just had the basic US dvd release. It had a few docs and a whole extra song that was cut from the original

[@ZillMob]

Docs from back when it was made and newer ones as well

[@Houman7]

Check out Taste of Cherry, very challenging movie!

[@ElliotCoen]

Yes, great film! Love Kiarostami

[@hildamontes6146]

Great films all. For some reason I never watched " F For Fake " So I will do so soon. Another shocking film is " In Cold Blood" if you haven't already seen it look it up. Thank you as always for your film comments.

[@rachyman]

Great picks! I agree with all of them.

[@loua5708]

What’s the best region free blu ray or 4k player? Want to get into the UK market

[@loua5708]

@@mac55527 I am aware thanks

[@themtgdude486]

For some reason, Come and See never worked for me. I have seen it three times while Saving Private Ryan is my third favorite film of all time.

[@spaceodds1985]

Not a fan of both

[@MrKahlerHahn]

I thought private ryan was a rough watch (in parts) until i saw come and see

[@themtgdude486]

@@MrKahlerHahn I don’t think my opinion on Come and See is because of the nature of the film. I feel like it’s more related to pacing issues for me.

[@Troy1g]

I want to see them all

[@joegiammatteo]

A Woman Under the Influence for me. It’s not necessarily shocking, but provides a shockingly real portrayal of mental illness and all the struggles around it.

[@ElliotCoen]

One of my all time favourites!

[@808physicalmedia9]

1947 Nightmare Alley 🤔

[@ElliotCoen]

Love it!

[@PT-668]

Very true. @ElliotCoen , off camera, sounds like Mickey Mouse. And is not British. He’s from Cleveland, Ohio. It’s all an act. 😮😊

[@Kaspar_Houser]

just another comment here that really everyone has to see "come and see".

[@ElliotCoen]

It should be shown in history classes at school!

[@brunomachado7279]

Come and See is schoking, but My Man Godfrey? A mainstream screwball comedy.

[@ElliotCoen]

Indeed, but a comedy that shocked me!

[@brunomachado7279]

@@ElliotCoen I would add Don't Look Now in this list. My Freaks boxset has arrived, probably watching this weekend!

[@ElliotCoen]

@@brunomachado7279 enjoy!

[@elizabethveldonstuff]

if you live f is for fake you should watch Shōhei Imamura's 'a man vanishes'

[@Jesuslovesfilm2121]

I believe politics shouldn’t get in the way of film. In the United States all of our films are pro liberal now. I wish we had more filmmakers like Oliver Stone, Real men talking about real subjects. Who cares if a film is is any language when the only language that matters in the subject is the language of cinema.

[@conorfurlong]

I don’t get the hype for Come And See. Schindler’s List is far, far more shocking and powerful. Come And See is ok but it’s massively overrated.

[@spaceodds1985]

And a propaganda piece to boot.

[@tuomashurme8917]

Schindler's List is just Hollywood Oscar pait.

[@conorfurlong]

@@tuomashurme8917 🤦‍♂️

[@Kev_Cos]

It's okay to like one more than the other, calling it overrated is a bit much. Both are superb movies.

[@conorfurlong]

@@Kev_Cos ‘Overrated’ means someone thinks it is not as good as some other people think; it does not necessarily mean that person thinks it is not good.

[@Emma-R]

Shocking from seeing about 100 Criterion films in the past months was: -For exceeding my expectations & blowing my mind & making me think about it for weeks: Climax Walkabout Fire Walk With Me One Night in Miami -The realization that the 40’s may be my favorite movies decade. -Secrets & Lies, because it introduced me to Mike Leigh which is now my favorite director ever and every single of his film & tv work is a 10!

[@sgist7824]

Watched Secrets and Lies this year, loved it!