The 19 most offensive movies of all time, from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to Forrest Gump.

MAll filmmakers yearn for their work to be the focus of public conversation. But this is not always a good thing.

Sometimes, movies — even great ones — are put under a microscope in search of problematic characters, plot lines, or moments.

Often, this is the result of changing social norms. Movies like Jazz singer Blackface was used at a time when it was fairly socially acceptable. However, watch it now, and you’ll probably get scared.

There are other films, of course, that cause problems once they reach theaters – like Quentin Tarantino’s film Once upon a time in Hollywood.

In some cases, the question of whether a film is offensive can spark strong debate among fans and even those involved in the film’s making. Last year, Michael Caine was in the news after responding to claims that the film was made in 1964 Zulu It was the “master text” of the white supremacists.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear that cinema history is full of examples of films that have become difficult to watch.

Here are 19 of the most problematic movies of all time.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Stanley Kubrick’s controversial – and for many years banned – adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s novel is certainly not without its problematic elements, most famously the disgusting depiction of rape. It wasn’t just audiences who found Kubrick’s film distasteful: the director himself paid for it The orange is the orange To remove it from cinemas amid fears of copycat violence.

American Beauty (1999)

Best Picture winner Sam Mendes’s Suburban would be an issue today even if it weren’t for the allegations against lead actor Kevin Spacey. In fact, Spacey’s involvement adds another layer of discomfort to the story of a middle-aged father lusting after his teenage daughter’s girlfriend (Mena Suvari). A topless scene featuring 16-year-old Thora Birch would also likely raise eyebrows today.

Birth of a Nation (1915)

Many of the most overtly racist films in early cinema are omitted from this list – for example, calling Leni Riefenstahl’s works “problematic” would not quite suffice. But D. W. Griffith Birth of a nation It is still celebrated to this day as a revolutionary cinematic landmark, despite its abhorrent and rampant racism. Some contemporary film historians have argued that Griffith’s cinematic “innovations” actually originated elsewhere—but even if they didn’t, there’s no excuse for this lurid celebration of the Ku Klux Klan.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

This iconic Audrey Hepburn vehicle features one of the most iconic racist caricatures of all time. Mickey Rooney plays the heavily accented Japanese landlord Mr. Yuniyoshi, a hideous stereotype. Decades after the film’s release, both director Blake Edwards and Rooney himself expressed regret over the offensive inclusion.

Dumbo (1941)

Many of Disney’s early animated films (and some later ones) contain a myriad of problematic elements. Dumbo It is notorious for its racism, with the talking crow characters – voiced with a caricatured African-American accent – ​​being particularly virulent.

Flash Gordon (1980)

Most sci-fi films of the 1970s and 1980s tended to age poorly, but this was usually due to poor special effects. Flash GordonHowever, it was dated for a different reason: the malevolent character of “Ming the Merciless”, played by Max von Sydow. The widespread racist villainy caused the BBFC to be lifted Flash GordonAge rating for 2020, with a warning about “discriminatory stereotypes” added to its recent reissue.

forrest gump (1994)

Robert Zemeckis forrest gump It could be one of the most problematic films ever made — and certainly one of the most to win Best Picture. Whether we’re talking about Tom Hanks’ expansive cartoon portrayal of a man with learning difficulties, the film’s hard-hitting exposé of Robin Wright’s Jenny, or all of its handling of race, Gump It’s a box of spoiled chocolate.

Gone with the Wind (1939)

A confirmed favorite of Donald J. Trump, this American epic has been accused of whitewashing the horrors of slavery and viewing the Civil War through rose-colored glasses. Scandal engulfed the film again in 2020 when it was temporarily removed from the HBO Max streaming service due to its problematic elements.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

This is the follow-up to Steven Spielberg’s timeless adventure Raiders of the Lost Ark It featured plenty of memorable set pieces and stunts – as well as a lot of unfortunate racism. templeThe depiction of India is full of disturbing and outdated stereotypes, which led to the film being banned in India when it was released. Meanwhile, Kate Capshaw’s Willie Scott is the problematic damsel in distress.

The Jazz Singer (1927)

Al Jolson movie musical Jazz singer It will forever hold a place in cinema history as the film that ushered in the “Talkie” era. However, it’s not easy to watch these days, thanks in large part to the blackface Jolson used during his performances. At the time, of course, blackface and minstrel shows were not widely considered offensive.

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Sometimes, movies become problematic after behind-the-scenes stories come to light – which is what happened in the terrifying case of… Last Tango in Paris. In the film’s most famous scene, Marlon Brando’s character rapes a young woman from Paris (the late Maria Schneider), using a stick of butter as a lubricant. Schneider later spoke about filming the scene, claiming that it was not in the script. “I was so angry,” she said. “Marlon said to me, ‘Maria, don’t worry, it’s just a movie,’ but during the scene, even though what Marlon was doing wasn’t real, I was crying real tears. I felt humiliated, and to be honest, I felt a little bit raped, both From Marlon or from (director Bernado Bertolucci).”

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

This groundbreaking epic by David Lean is a long, expensive, thematically dense work of true cinematic bombast. While there are complexities in its treatment of race, critics have argued that its depiction of T. E. Lawrence’s (Peter O’Toole) exploits in the Middle East is wrapped up in problematic “white savior” narratives. Furthermore, the casting of Alec Guinness in the role of Prince Faisal would not work today, especially in light of the actor’s use of brownface.

Manhattan (1979)

Can you really separate the art from the artist? Everyone has their own opinion on the issue, but it’s especially difficult with a movie like this Manhattan. Woody Allen, whose late career was affected by long-denied child sexual abuse allegations, directs and stars in this black-and-white romantic comedy that combines his 42-year-old character with the love interest of a 17-year-old high school student. Interest, played by Mariel Hemingway.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to a bit of controversy, and his 1960s-set Hollywood epic is up there with his most provocative works. While some films falter in their problematic reputation over time, once upon a time It was scandalous from the start – with Tarantino creating a damaging redemption story for wife-killer Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) by having him brutally attack a cadre of young female assailants.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Mel Gibson’s biblical epic has been widely criticized for its depiction of the Jewish people in its retelling of the story of Jesus. If you consider the context of Gibson’s off-screen anti-Semitism scandal, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned when watching this bloody religious drama.

The Searchers (1956)

Racism abounded in Old Hollywood films, especially in Westerns, which often saw white heroes fighting against Native American or Mexican enemies. ResearchersJohn Ford’s 1956 western was, on the one hand, a searing indictment of the destructive evil of racial hatred. On the other hand, it has also long been accused of racism itself in its problematic treatment of its Native American characters.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

John Hughes’s feel-good films have come under a great deal of scrutiny in recent years, with projects from Breakfast Club to Weird science to Uncle Buck Face blame for outdated racist and sexist content. Sixteen candles He may be Hughes’ worst offender, thanks to a shockingly ludicrous plot involving date rape. There was also the unfortunate inclusion of Long Duk Dong, an annoying Asian stereotype played by Gide Watanabe.

Trading Places (1983)

This rags-to-riches (and vice versa) comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd features a number of button-pushing scenes, including a supposedly funny gag in which one character is sexually assaulted by a gorilla. However, it’s the sight of Dan Ackroyd in blackface that remains completely unpalatable – and makes this enjoyable film difficult to watch today.

Zulu (1964)

Cy Endfield’s acclaimed war drama depicts the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, which took place during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. Zulu Some critics have accused it of racism, with recent research by William Shawcross suggesting the film could be an inspiration to “white nationalists and bigots”. Michael Caine, who starred in the film, called the claim “the biggest load of bulls***.”