[42ndStreetFreak]

"TCM" was certainly a sort of let down to me the first time I saw it as it was not the gore drenched item I assumed it to be...But once I knew that, a second viewing was adored and it's been that way ever since.
And I still think the 'dinner scene' is hands down one of the most unrelenting and utterly brutal sequwnces in any horror film full stop.

Never liked "Clockwork" and could not see what the fuss was...but it's place in censorship history is very important as is it's opening of the studio/mainstream door (along with "Straw Dogs") to the ultra violent 70's.

I agree that it was 'hype' that meant the first viewing of "TCM" was under false assumptions...but it's a hype trap that is still there today because:

"TCM" has always been fully uncut in the UK and it's banning is not a simple case.
It was given an uncut 'X' for showing in London cinemas, it was withdrawn from VHS when the Video Recordings Act came into being (as were ALL films) and no one submitted it for certification after, and companies were advised not to bother later on.
And then it was released uncut again more recently. But whenever it has ben avaialable it's always been uncut and no 'in circulation' print was ever banned. It was also never on the 'Video Nasties' list, but is perhaps the one title that people always assume was! :)

"Clockwork" was never initially banned in the UK. It went out uncut and was only later withdrawn and refused permission to be screened again in the UK by Kubrik HIMSELF. No censor banned it.
This self-imposed ban was ended years later when Kubril took the stupid thing to the grave with him. The video was then passed uncut.

Zombie did overhype the content of "Corpses" and led many to think it was going to be some kind of gore bonanza, but even then i thought it was one of THE most full-on horror films to get a mainstream release for many years.
I had already read the (totally unjustified) hate campaign against the film on The Net before i saw it and so, unlike "TCM", i was not under a false assumption content wise.
But as it turned out it was a real surprise anyway.