For someone watching it for the first time, ‘Possession’ looks like a story about a marriage falling apart, but within minutes, it turns into something much darker. Starring Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill, the film dives deep into obsession and chaos in a way few movies ever have.
But what happened behind the scenes and what followed after its release made it one of the most shocking films of its time.
‘Possession’ Was Too Disturbing For The ’80s
Directed by Andrzej Żuławski, ‘Possession‘ is set in Cold War-era Berlin, where a couple’s relationship begins to collapse in terrifying ways. Mark and Anna start out arguing and end up spiraling into madness, violence, and something almost supernatural. Żuławski’s direction made everything feel raw and unfiltered, as if the actors weren’t performing; they were breaking down for real.
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Isabelle Adjani performed so intensely that it earned her the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. But while critics admired her work, many viewers were horrified. The movie’s mix of emotional chaos and disturbing imagery made people feel uneasy. Sam Neill’s character only added to that tension, as he unraveled in his own frightening way.
While some viewers called the film brilliant, others called it disgusting. But one thing everyone agreed on is that ‘Possession‘ went too far. And soon, that reputation turned into something even more serious.
The Cult Masterpiece Got A “Video Nasty” Label And The Ban
During the early 1980s, the UK used the term “video nasty” for movies considered too violent or obscene. ‘Possession‘ ended up on that list alongside notorious films like ‘Cannibal Holocaust‘, ‘I Spit on Your Grave‘, and ‘The Last House on the Left‘. The movie’s graphic imagery and psychological torment made it an easy target for censors and moral critics. And, as a result, the UK banned it completely.
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In the United States, censors cut over 40 minutes, nearly one-third of the film, before allowing it to be shown. This watered-down version lost much of director Andrzej Żuławski’s vision and left an incomplete story behind. For years, fans could only find the uncut version through underground copies. Horror lovers and film collectors hunted it down just to see what had been hidden.
Sam Neill On The Haunting Experience
Later, Sam Neill described ‘Possession‘ as “the most extreme film” of his career. He said Żuławski was a passionate but demanding director who often pushed the actors too far. And, according to Neil, working with him was both inspiring and deeply uncomfortable. He even revealed that Żuławski sometimes shouted and bullied his cast to get the reactions he wanted.
Neill even mentioned a scene where the director told him to actually hit Isabelle Adjani. Neill refused, saying he could never do that to another person. But Adjani insisted it was necessary for the film. And, Neill said it was one of the most distressing things he’s ever done in front of a camera. But despite that, Neill and Adjani believed in Żuławski’s vision. They knew they were making something risky and strange; something people would either hate or never forget.
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Over time, the same movie that people once banned and feared became a cult favorite. When the uncut version was finally released, critics began to see it in a new light. What once looked chaotic and offensive now seemed bold and emotional; a film about how love can twist into madness. Sure, Żuławski’s vision might have been too much for audiences in 1981. But today, it’s remembered as one of the bravest films ever made.
