Coil confesses to the murder of Pasolini

The British Film Institute has just announced the forthcoming release of their DVD/Blu-Ray special edition of Pier Paolo Pasolini's celebrated and controversial film Salò or the 120 Days of Sodom. Among many exclusive special features, the double-disc will include the Coil track "Ostia (The Death of Pasolini)," originally from Horse Rotorvator (1987), "with a newly created video accompaniment, shot especially for this release, by Peter Christopherson." Read on for the complete press release from BFI.

BFI to release Salò on Blu-ray and DVD with stunning special features

The BFI announces that its first Blu-ray title Salò or The 120 Days of Sodom will be released on 29th of September. The film will also be re-issued on DVD. Both formats will contain a wealth of stunning extras.

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s final and most controversial film has been banned, censored and reviled the world over since its first release in 1975. It did not receive UK certification until late 2000, when it was passed uncut.

The film’s content and imagery is extreme and it retains the power to shock, repel and distress. A brutal allegory based on the novel 120 Days of Sodom by the Marquis de Sade, the film is a cinematic milestone – culturally significant, politically vital and visually stunning.

DISC ONE (DVD & Blu-ray)
Fully Complete & Uncut, telecined from original Italian restoration negatives

DVD: 1.85:1 (16x9 Enhanced) / PAL DVD9 / DD mono (320 kbps)

BD: 1.856:1 (1080p, 24fps) / BD25 / PCM mono

Original Italian language version (with optional English subtitles)

Original English language version (with optional HoH subtitles)

Original Italian trailer (with optional English subtitles)

Coil - Ostia (the Death of Pasolini) The original 1987 track from Coil's celebrated second album, Horse Rotorvator, with a newly created video accompaniment, shot especially for this release, by Peter Christopherson.

DISC TWO (Standard Def PAL DVD Disc, to be included in both DVD & BD editions)

On set footage and interviews (1974, 25m) – newly created documentary using full colour footage shot in 1974 by acclaimed film journalist and Pasolini expert Gideon Bachmann.

Featurettes: Open Your Eyes and Walking With Pasolini

Whoever Says the Truth Shall Die (1981, 58m) Philo Bregstein's classic documentary on the life and death of Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Fade to Black (2001, 25m) – documentary with Mark Kermode exploring the ongoing relevance and power of Pasolini's controversial masterpiece, with Bernardo Bertolucci and other leading directors.

Ostia (1991, 25m, with optional director commentary track) – Julian Cole's short film about the last days of Pasolini, starring Derek Jarman.

Fully illustrated booklet

Newly commissioned essay by Sam Rohdie (Italian film scholar and author on Pasolini)

Sight & Sound article by Gideon Bachmann incorporating his on-set diary

1979 review of the film by Gilbert Adair

James Ferman letter to the Director of Public Prosecutions

Cast and credits for the film

Pasolini biography by Italian film specialist Geoffrey Nowell-Smith

Photographs of Pasolini at work on set

Release date: 29 September 2008

RRP BD £24.99, DVD £22.99 / BD cat no: BFIB1001 / DVD cat no: BFIVD791 / cert 18

Italy, France / 1975 / colour