Faces of Death
- Year: 1978
- Country of origin: USA
- Genre: Documentary, Horror
- Director: John Alan Schwartz
- Length: 105 min
Experience the graphic reality of death, close-up…
Film Synopsis
Faces of Death (1978) centers on Dr. Francis B. Gröss, a pathologist who guides viewers through a series of shocking sequences purportedly documenting death in its many forms. As scenes involving accidents, autopsies, warfare, animal attacks, and other graphic incidents are assembled into a documentary-style presentation while the narrator reflects on humanity’s fascination with mortality, the line between reality and fabrication becomes increasingly ambiguous. This American mondo horror film examines death and voyeurism through a provocative pseudo-documentary framework, as sensationalism and curiosity converge in a controversial blend of fact, fiction, and exploitation. Many of the film’s most notorious scenes were staged, while others incorporated genuine archival footage.
Faces of Death 4K UHD & Blu-ray editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Vinegar Syndrome BD-ALL 4K/US 2026 | Gorgon BD-ALL/US/OOP 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Director John Alan Schwartz (Conan Le Cilaire), Moderated by Michael Felsher | ||
| Many Faces of Death | ||
| Choice Cuts - Interview with Editor Glenn Turner | ||
| The Death Makers - Interview with Makeup Effects Artists Allan A. Apone and Douglas J. White | ||
| “Buried Footage” Outtakes | ||
| Outtakes | ||
| Deleted Scene | ||
| Isolated Music Track | ||
| Trailer |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Vinegar Syndrome’s “Limited Edition” 4K UHD includes a 44-page booklet with writing by Samm Deighan (“Faces of Death and Violence as an American Spectacle”), David Kerekes (“A Horrible, Amoral Film Banned in Forty-Eight Countries”) and Stephen Thrower (“The Facts in the Case of Dr. Frances B. Gröss”).
- Gorgon’s Blu-ray reissued as a SteelBook (2026/03/05).
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~
Collector’s guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
-
Many Faces of Death (19:57) -
Choice Cuts (16:14) -
The Death Makers (21:56) -
“Buried Footage” Outtakes (13:54) -
Outtakes (11:23) -
Trailer (2:42)
| Editions |
Vinegar Syndrome 4K 2026
|
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Director John Alan Schwartz (Conan Le Cilaire), Moderated by Michael Felsher Vinegar Syndrome 4K |
| Many Faces of Death Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| Choice Cuts - Interview with Editor Glenn Turner Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| The Death Makers - Interview with Makeup Effects Artists Allan A. Apone and Douglas J. White Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| “Buried Footage” Outtakes Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| Outtakes Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| Deleted Scene Gorgon BD | |
| Isolated Music Track Vinegar Syndrome 4K | |
| Trailer Vinegar Syndrome 4K |