Well, that’s a huge subject. I suppose one could argue films like Bonnie and Clyde and The Wild Bunch invented modern screen violence. There were also several films in the 1970s that pushed boundaries - A Clockwork Orange, Straw Dogs, The Exorcist, The Devils, Last Tango in Paris, etc. Some arguably remain more shocking than anything one sees today. Ai No Corrida and Salo, for instance.

If you are going to get into this, my advice is do your research thoroughly, and with an open mind. Don’t slide into censorious prudery but certainly ask the difficult questions. I’m anti-censorship to the marrow of my bones and my views are well documented elsewhere. I’ll send you a couple of links if you’re interested.

I also take issue with some of the desensitisation argument, especially when it comes to horror films. Again, I can send you an article about that specific issue if you want.