So, you have decided to find out why the Guinea Pig Films have never been released. Wonderful! I am glad you're here. Much has been written about the Guinea Pig films, some of it mistaken, some of it true, and the rest, well – let's just say, it's "embellished." This page reveals in detail the truth behind the actual story of their release. As you will see below, this controversial film series has stirred up an awful lot of trouble wherever it has been seen. Our information is gleaned from writers, magazine articles, police records, news programs, internet sites and from all those people whom the films have impacted around the world. Some names have been used with permission, others have been withheld upon request while others, whose names have been legally documented in police files, are given their due credit below. Out of respect for the families involved, the names of the victims of the atrocities documented herein have been withheld. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families in Japan whose lives have been so tragically impacted by these films. With that said, here is the history of the Guinea Pig films.  

        Satoru Ogura, infamous producer and writer, decided to make a series of films that could truly claim to be the worst of the worst. Since fans wanted something they could really sink their teeth into, Satoru decided to unleash upon an unsuspecting world a series called "Za Ginipiggu." These were to be fabricated snuff films that would satisfy the hardest gore hound and shock all those who dared to watch them. Little did he realize that the series would create such a worldwide controversy. Satoru then contacted Hideshi Hino, another infamous writer and famous manga" artist of the intense and thought-provoking comic books, "Panorama in Hell" and "Hell Baby." When Hideshi wrote the storyline for Flower of Flesh and Blood, he kept in mind the flavor of the script of the first film. Satoru knew he had something special and began to work on the first film, "The Devil's Experiment." Casting for the films was a lot easier then they ever thought possible. Hundreds of young women showed up for the pleasure of being subjected to extreme torture and then killed in front of the camera. Since they were being filmed back to back, auditions were held for both "The Devils Experiment" and "Flower of Flesh and Blood" at the same time. "The Devils Experiment" was made with "Flower" right on its heels in order to kick the series into overtime. The films were made in 1985 and "The Devil's Experiment" was released in 1986. Its sheer ferocity amazed and shocked the Japanese film community and the film became a huge seller in the video market. Gore hounds in Japan relished the video and begged for more, at which point the filmmakers were obliged with the release of "Flower of Flesh and Blood."  

        Now this is where it becomes confusing for everyone who has written about the infamous "Za Ginipiggu" series. Even the Internet Movie Database website gives the wrong years in the information posted. After numerous requests to the producers in Japan, we finally received the information on the release dates. The actual year of production for each film is:  

 ·    Devil's Experiment 1985  "Akumano Jikken" aka "Unabridged Agony"

     ·    Flower of Flesh and Blood 1985  "Chiniku No Hana" 

     ·    He Never Dies 1986 "Senritsu! Shinanai Otoko"

     ·    Making of Guinea Pig 1986 "Mekingu Obu Za Ginipiggu"

     ·   Mermaid In A Manhole 1988  "Manhoru No Naka No Ningyo"

     ·   Androids Of The Notre Dame 1988  "Notorudamo no Andoroido"

     ·   Devil Woman Doctor 1990  "Peter No Akuma No Joi-San"

     ·   Making of Devil Woman Doctor 1990 "Bangaihen: Akumano Joi-san Meikingu"

     ·   Slaughter Special 1991 "Zansatsu Supeshiyaru" 

     ·   Lucky Sky Diamond 1989 (Technically not a Guinea Pig release but often referred as one.)

        It is strange that this information wasn't given freely and was so hard to get. Shit, even now, as we piece together everything that has happened with these films, I wonder if we have everything right. This is why we have this page up.

         The initial release of "The Devil's Experiment" had no film credits. They were pushing the limits of good taste with an advertising campaign that claimed that the film was a real snuff flick. Little did they know that a young man by the name of Tsutomo Miyazaki would emulate the vicious FX from one of these movies in real life. I will go into this further as we bring you up to speed on the films themselves. The release of "Flower of Flesh and Blood" shocked and mortified some of the smaller video store chains but sales of the video became so intense that they still carried the video even though they abhorred it. "Flower" hit the top ten video releases in Japan for that month and the next. With Cannibal Holocaust making more money then E.T. it seems appropriate that the Guinea Pig films outsold most mainstream Hollywood releases two months in a row in Japan. Orange Video House was the company that started the series but, after the first two films, Japan Home Video (JHV) picked up the rights for the continuation of the series. "He Never Dies" was made next in 1986. With JHV at the helm they went for a softer approach, if you can call it that. The snuff style gave way to movies that were more plot driven and character oriented. They were still truly disgusting gore fests but not the atrocities the Guinea Pig films had been. In the same year, utilizing the behind-the-scenes footage of the FX, actors and production staff, they decided to put out "The Making of Guinea Pig." It's a wonderful addition to the series and it shows how much fun they had making the films and coming up with special effects that would truly disgust the fans of the genre. The series was doing wonderfully in Japan at that time and the future looked bright for more of the same. The Japanese really take their horror seriously, perhaps because it gives the public an avenue of release from the pent up frustrations of modern life.  

        In 1988, Hideshi Hino came back into the series with the highly revolting but awesome masterpiece called "Mermaid in a Manhole." Written and directed by Hideshi, "Mermaid in a Manhole" did wonders for the series. Once again the video release became one of the top ten sellers of the month in Japan. "Android of Notre Dame" came out in the same year and received equal admiration and success in the video stores, but it was "Mermaid" that was heralded as a triumph for the small screen. 

        Now this is where we take a quick turn into nightmare territory. In late 1988, a 27-year-old man by the name of Tsutomo Miyazaki started a horrible killing spree. As the number of killings mounted, the perpetrator was dubbed "The Vampire Killer" by the press. He was finally caught in July, 1989. Tsutomo murdered 4 girls, ranging from 4 to 7 years of age, and was attempting to abduct another when he was caught. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Tsutomo's video library was immense, with over 6,000 videotapes in his entire collection, mostly hentai" (the pornographic type of anime, some of which can be very violent) and gore films. He'd even re-enacted some of the scenes from his favorite movies in his gruesome murders. Most of these scenes were from violent hentai anime, but one re-enactment was from "Flower of Flesh and Blood." In Japanese, there is a word that basically means "nerd" or "geek," and signifies a socially isolated person; it also signifies an obsessed fan or enthusiast of a particular subject, most often of an art form or hobby. Usually, this term is not considered a compliment. In America, on the other hand, that word has come to have a non-offensive meaning, and usually signifies a deep anime fan. That word is "otaku." After evidence of Tsutomo's strange lifestyle and his vast video collection came to light, the incident was renamed "The Otaku Murders" -essentially, "The Nerd Murders." (Incidentally the Japanese term "otaku" is not limited to entertainment fans or hobbyists: the Japanese home computer industry is often said, by the Japanese, to have been started by "computer otaku," just like it was started by "computer nerds" in The U.S..)

        After he was caught, Tsutomo was given a psychological assessment. He was found to be unstable and emotionally immature. His attitude toward life and death was morally ambiguous, and he had no concept of right and wrong. The media went into a frenzy over the murders, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government began to consider putting restrictions on the entertainment industry. The Guinea Pig series was thrown into the spotlight as one of the many supposed causes of the murders. As a result of this media blitz, the entertainment industry in Japan was obliged to exercise voluntary restraint. The Guinea Pig series was not blamed for the incident: it was Japanese culture that ended up bearing the brunt of the criticism from the Japanese themselves, for creating a society that bred such a mentality. Tsutomo Miyazaki's sociopathic fetish was seen as an aberration, and Japan was quick to realize that his film addiction was not the reason behind the murders. With the renewed interest in the Guinea Pig films, the producers decided to make "Devil Woman Doctor" and "The Making of Devil Woman Doctor" in 1990. As you know, "Devil Woman Doctor" is by far the most comedic film in the series. Its release actually calmed the public mood, almost to the point where fictional gore and death became funny, easing the pain of the past and ushering in a new generation of horror enthusiasts.

        In 1991, Satoru Ogura took all the Guinea Pig films and spliced, cut, chopped, sautéed and simmered them to create the "Slaughter Special." This is literally the "best hits" of the Guinea Pig series. With that release, horror guru Chas Balun got his hands on the series and started to distribute them here and there, spreading the warmth of the series around, if I may put it so boldly. The videos acquired a life of their own and were soon scattered all over California. It was at this point that a famous actor by the name of Charlie Sheen got his hands on a copy of the Guinea Pigs and all Hell broke loose. The accomplished actor, Mr. Sheen, thought they were real and contacted the "MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) and before they could substantiate any of the claims being made against the films, he "got involved in a subsequent movement to stop any kind of import distribution for the films" (Weisser and Weisser 1997). The MPAA then contacted the FBI. FBI agent Dan Codling explained that the film had already been under investigation by both the FBI and by the Japanese authorities and the Bureau, and that, after a thorough investigation, the films had been found to be fake. However, the damage was done and the Guinea Pig series became infamous around the world as America's News Magazine "20/20" picked up the story and played it across the country in one of their segments. We have contacted several people in different countries around the world hoping they could shed some more light on the treatment of these films in their respective territories but most would not comment or refused to help in any way the release of the Guinea Pig films in the U.S. Chas Balun, on the other hand, was more then helpful in telling us his side of the story since many rumors persisted about himself and the incident in question and about the FBI involvement and the whole Charlie Sheen incident. Below is his take on the subject.  

--Communiqu" from DEEP RED WORLD HEADQUARTERS* 4/5/02 High Noon

*Consider this as coming from the "horse's (big) mouth."

        Since it's been over a DECADE that a little flap concerning Charlie Sheen, the Feds, a notorious episode of the Japanese "GUINEA PIG" series and your humble RED-itor was first hurled onto the splatter scene, I feel it's high time to set the record straight. Believe me, 'pards, everything you've read in the past is shit. Why didn't anybody just fuckin' ask me what the hell went down? Instead, the new Urban Myth grew...and grew. Har-de-har. I did take a perverse glee in observing human nature's insatiable need for celebrity slaughter-thons. Who the fuck knew the whole story except me? Who REALLY gives a shit? (*We Do Chas *Unearthed Films)  My hyper-cynical worldview was fed relentlessly by the unsubstantiated reports that regularly surfaced in genre publications, chat rooms and other online vomitus. Now, LISTEN UP!

--- For a special birthday treat to be shown at his weekend party, a DEEP RED staffer requested "the most disgusting" video I could assemble be sent via UPS to his home address. I complied, editing together the gory goods (NO real-life atrocity stuff--I HATE that shit) and introducing the montage with a banner headline quote that read: "Anything worth doing...is worth OVERdoing."--Chas. Balun The first segment was "Flower of Flesh and Blood," Eeeek! Boy, did that work! The rest of the tape was packed with standard edition cinematic splatter, as over-the-top as I could manage. The RED writer reported back the tape was a revolting success. My job was done. Later, I learned the tape was making the East Coast rounds, viewed by assorted dorks, poseurs, spineless squids and clueless assbags who thought it was real. Jeeez-us. I had written a definitive article in the DEEP RED SPECIAL EDITION (1991) entitled "Guinea Pig: Cutting-Edge Splatter or Porno Gore" that I thought addressed all the trenchant issues in this matter. I also had in my possession another GUINEA PIG episode that effectively rendered moot all arguments regarding the issue, a "Making of...." tape that exposed "Flower of Flesh and Blood" to be nothing more than an elaborate special effects workshop. Did anyone else give a fuck or research any of the claims? Shit, nooooo. The ONLY semi-direct contact I ever had during the aftermath of this dulling debacle was a call (on my birthday yet) from the RED staffer I sent the tape to warning me of an impending call from the FBI who were investigating the video as a real "snuff" film. Puh-leeeeeze! NEVER got a call. EVER. I lost interest immediately  and chuckled often as the shit-storm soon lost its momentum. But did it? Ten years after, now, you know. Walk your dog and eat your vegetables. 

Here's Blood (and a 14" splinter) in Yer Eyeball!

Chas. Balun

DEEP RED WORLD HQ

        Thank you very much, Chas, for letting us know your side of the story. As you see, the Chas man didn't get hassled by the feds. Other people did but he didn't. The FBI had already concluded that it was fake before they made their rounds to Mr. Balun so they dropped the case. The fun didn't stop there though. It continued across the world in a number of legal shenanigans. In 1992 in Sweden, a lawyer somehow happened upon a videotape of the Flower of Flesh and Blood. Shocked by what he saw he turned it into the Swedish police who quickly started an investigation. Sending the tape to a medical examiner for documentation, the examiner had a hard time figuring out if it was a fake or not. But with some outside help, they too eventually concluded that it was a fake. The case was dropped quickly before it became a public embarrassment. In another case, which made headlines in Great Britain, a man imported a video of the "Flower of Flesh and Blood", "Infant Brain Surgery" and the "Faces of Dissection" from Blackest Heart Media. The video was seized by customs..   

        Christopher Berthoud, 26 at the time, was prosecuted for importing a SNUFF video into the country. The tape Southward Crown Court heard was of an Asian woman being tied down and dismembered by a man dressed in a samurai outfit. "It falls into the category of a snuff video," said the prosecution, later adding "This is not an Asian girl alive being murdered, but something that is so well simulated that that is the impression it creates." Mr Berthould was arrested and the police searched his home and found audio and video films dealing with serial killers and documentaries on serial killers and an assortment of horror films. Mr Berthould duly accepted his punishment, saying that he didn't want the jury to watch the film for fear traumatizing them. Experts were called in to examine the video and after several viewings decided that it was simulated and not real. Despite this, the court still found Mr Berthould guilty of the offense but, instead of imprisonment, they gave him a £600 fine. The headlines of one newspaper read: "DEATH CRAZE MAN'S SNUFF MOVIE SHAME."  

        As you can see, the Guinea Pig films have created more of an uproar then any other series ever known.  Their viciousness, unrelenting gore and uncompromising shock value have made them (in)famous across the world. We have read everything we can on the subject: documents, rumors, newspapers, police reports, and reviews by some of the most intense writers imaginable – reviews that condemn, but also reviews that condone, acknowledge or even appreciate and support the Guinea Pig films for what they are. They are oddities that have made movie history, whether the mainstream wants to embrace them or not. They are films that say something more powerful about us as a culture then almost all the movies ever made could. It is a "one of a kind" film series that will stare us down and burn its images into our soul. They're unflinching in their depiction of who we are, what we fear and what we want to see. It's only once in a while that we can truly experience a catharsis of imaginative proportions that will make the viewer sick and force him to look deep within to ask himself, "Why did I watch that and, why did I enjoy it?" I could go into the psychology of this but that would take away the fun of the films.

         The Guinea Pig Films are the hardest-hitting and roughest horror films that you will ever come across. They are for gore-hounds who have seen everything and are ready for the next level. Unearthed Films is proud to present these films for the first time in the U.S. and Canada uncut and digitally re-mastered with trailers, a split menu and Dolby Digital Surround Sound on a Non-Region disc. The United States of America has not banned any film since the 1970s but with the release of these DVDs I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again.

        LAST MINUTE ADDITION...

        The DVD authoring company that was involved with the Guinea Pig DVDs refused to author and replicate them after receiving the master tapes. Their corporate lawyer mentioned some laws in the U.S. and other nonsense to the effect that the Guinea Pig films were too disgusting for their company to handle. We contacted many other DVD companies in a mad scramble to have these DVDs transferred and replicated. Everyone refused. Each company expressed interest until they received the master tapes. One after another they sent them back with an apology stating that the films were too rough or just plain wrong. Even the DVD company that did the wonderful Traces of Death series and Faces of Death series on DVD refused. We were in a pickle until one company accepted the challenge. We found a home. A DVD authoring company that will transfer everything we get our hands on now and in the future. Thanks Perry!

Stephen Biro 

Unearthed Films

         Information culled from articles, documents, police reports, internet sites, JHV, Deep Red Headquarters, listed below...

The Dark Side magazine issue no.90 "Article written by Jay Slater"

The Snuff Film The Making of an Urban Legend "Article written by Scott Aaron Stine"

Deep Red Special Edition Chas Balun

"Death Craze Man's Snuff Movie Shame"

"Made in Japan, From Video To Genocide"

"I'm alone, but not lonely"

Japan Home Video

Tokyo Metropolitan Govt. Records Dept.  

And special kudo's out to Surgeon General Knox "Who helped clarify Japanese terminology for us when we needed it"

COPYRIGHT 2002

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED