Guinea Pig 2: Flowers of Flesh and Blood

Guinea Pig II: The Flower of Flesh and Blood (Hideshi Hino, 1985)

Hideshi Hino is, simply, one of Japan's finest exports. Writer, graphic artist, rabid media critic, all-around fun guy, but for as long as civilization exists he will be best remember as the guy who drove Charlie Sheen to the FBI.

Sheen saw _Guinea Pig II: The Flower of Flesh and Blood_ in 1990 at a party he was attending, and he was convinced that it was a true snuff film, so he took the copy and gave it to the local branch of the FBI. Large-scale investigations in both American and Japan followed, culminating ultimately in (a) the finding that GP2, like all other supposed snuff films, isn't real, and (b) Hino exploding in popularity in the United States (it's not a coincidence that an American graphic arts publisher started releasing Hino books in America in 1992, all of which I recommend very highly as a fantastic glimpse into the collective subconscious of post-WW2 Japan). The darker underbelly of the investigation resulted in the banning of Guinea Pig in Japan. To date, no distributor has picked up and reprinted the films officially (though the ban has not stopped new ones from leaking out, and the series now stands at nine), and so when one finds copies of Guinea Pig films, they are often fourth- and fifth-generation dubs of questionable quality at best. I have my doubts as to whether even owning them in the United States is legal, but one assumes that if it weren't, the sellers on ebay would be arrested pretty quick... but I'm relying on supposition here. (If I disappear quickly, you know why.)

Yesterday I received a third-generation copy of II and III (see below). GP2 is the most infamous of the series. It is also the shortest, clocking in at a scant forty-two minutes. It has no plot to speak of. A woman is abducted by a man dressed as a fourteenth-century Samurai warrior and systematically dismembered. And while, if you know the basics of film composition and realize that the cut shots could not have been done in the ways they are if this were actually being filmed in real-time, there are a few points where the best thing one can do is to sit and repeat to oneself "this is not real." The effects are, quite simply, spectacular (within the framework of what's going on), and I was pleasantly-- if anything about this can possibly be said to be pleasant-- surprised by the fact that other than the differing genders of the two players in this twisted, brutal sturm und drang (and much more drang than sturm, if you translate it literally), any sexuality involved is read into it by the viewer.

Guinea Pig 2 is not something to be enjoyed; it is something to test the boundaries of one's endurance. How is it possible to rate such an experience? And do you really want something like this in your home? In my case the answer is an unqualified "yes," but then, I'm depraved. Going strictly on the quality of my copy and the shattering effectiveness of the film at what it sets out to do, I'm forced to give it *** 1/2.

Gave it a three because it was actually really well made but jfc never watching that again. As someone whose sadly seen some real things due to staying in hospitals, they did pretty well. Once again from being in a er hospital I've seen a severed finger and leg, the part where her leg was cut in half looked pretty realistic, though def didn't feel nice to see something like that again. If you've got any trauma relating to torture or blood or if you're just a normal person I wouldn't advise watching it.

I began hearing about the infamous "Guinea Pig" series several years ago, but admittedly only got my hands on them recently. I really didn't want to spend $20 for a 2nd generation VHS copy, so... I waited and picked up the Unearthed box-set release. Luckily, I found it for pretty cheap, anyway... Quick synopsis: Freaky samurai dude abducts and dismembers a chick, the end. "Flower of Flesh and Blood" is definitely gory and the lack of any real storyline may be what makes this film so "shocking". It's pretty much the torture/murder of a girl with no apparent reason behind it. The problem is that even though the effects are pretty good for something shot in 1985 with a probably non-existent budget, it still looks fake. Anyone who would actually mistake this for real "snuff" is a retard (sorry, Charlie ;) The other problem that I have with this film as well as "The Devil's Experiment" (another "Guinea Pig" fake snuff film) is that the victims don't respond appropriately to what is happening to them. They whimper and whine a little bit, but I think someone who was having their extremities removed violently would react a little more spiritedly. Another thing that makes these films look fake is the quality of the transfer to DVD. Unearthed did such a good job with the transfer that you can clearly see how fake everything is. I think if this film had a little more grainy look to it, it may have actually enhanced the realism factor - Not that Unearthed should have made a crappy transfer, I just think that some films actually come off better looking kind of old and grainy, this film being one of them. Overall, definitely worth a look for "extreme" horror fans, if nothing else than to quench your curiosity about what all the fuss is about. Definitely not for the mainstream horror movie goer. A generous 7/10

I have to admire the makers of this sleaze for their sheer balls.

It's virtually plotless and shot on tape, but it rises above its cheesy brethren by being so awfully mean-spirited.

Apparently directed by Hideshi Hino, a hero of mine for his "Hell Baby" and "Panorama Of Hell" comic books, this little ball of evil has no equivalent and is a good flick to surprise your friends with.

A samurai warrior slowly separates a woman's extremities from her body over a half hour period. The special effects, though obviously fake, are pretty amazing and the score has a surreal essence to it.

I like this more than the other Guinea Pig flicks, although Hino's MERMAID IN A MANHOLE is a different kettle of rotten fish altogether.

My friend showed me this film, which he had on video. He is a huge fan of gore movies in general so I have seen my fair share of them. NONE of them compare to this film. This is by far the most repulsive film I have ever seen. I consists of a Japanese girl being slowly dismembered, which seems to take over an hour to do.

Mind you, I am not someone who winces at bloody movies. I am a big Peter Jackson fan, and enjoy Fulci's films. This film is nothing like those. It's horribly realistic and sadistic. Supposedly, this film was investigated by the FBI because it was suspected to be a real snuff film.

I do not recommend this movie. Anyone who sees it, I hope it is by accident. The effects are done brilliantly, and are quite convincing. Unless you are studying how to do impressive gore-effects, or are a sadist, try to avoid this film.