What was the Criterion Collection's #17 DVD release?

The Criterion Collection's #17 DVD release was the controversial film "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom."

Why was the "Salò" Criterion DVD so rare and valuable?

The "Salò" Criterion DVD went out of print shortly after its 1998 release, making it extremely difficult to obtain. Collectors were willing to pay up to $950 on the secondary market to acquire this coveted disc.

How did the "Salò" Criterion DVD impact the film's availability?

The scarcity of the "Salò" Criterion DVD frustrated many viewers who simply wanted to watch the film. Some resorted to purchasing region-coded discs or bootleg copies, unaware of how to spot the fakes, until Criterion announced plans to re-release the film in 2006.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rare Criterion DVD of "Salò" Becomes Holy Grail for Collectors

Rare Criterion DVD of "Salò" Becomes Holy Grail for Collectors

21 Aug

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Summary

"Salò" was a controversial film inducted into the Criterion Collection in 1993
The 1998 Criterion DVD release of "Salò" went out of print, making it extremely rare and valuable
Collectors paid up to $950 on the secondary market to obtain the coveted Criterion #17 disc

Rare Criterion DVD of "Salò" Becomes Holy Grail for Collectors

In 2025, the news of a new "Naked Gun" movie has revived interest in early 2000s pop culture, including the elusive Criterion DVD release of the controversial film "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom." This 1998 Criterion disc, numbered #17 in the collection, became a highly sought-after item for collectors after it went out of print.

The Criterion Collection, known for its high-quality home media releases, had initially included "Salò" in its LaserDisc lineup in 1993, despite the objections of co-founder Aleen Stein. When the DVD version was released in 1998, it quickly disappeared from the market, sparking a frenzy among collectors. Prices on the secondary market soared, with some reports of the disc selling for as much as $950 on eBay in the early 2000s.

The scarcity of the "Salò" Criterion DVD was a source of frustration for many film enthusiasts who simply wanted to watch the movie. Some resorted to purchasing region-coded discs or even bootleg copies, unaware of how to spot the fakes. It wasn't until 2006 that Criterion announced plans to re-release the film, providing relief to collectors and casual viewers alike.

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