In 1975 Pasolini hired him once again, for the role of one of the male victims in his infamous "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom". In this film, Merli was, like the other non-professional actors, addressed by his real first name, Franco. The director chose Merli once again, not only because he embodied the "Pasolini-type" to a fault but also because the young actor had already proven in "Arabian Nights" that he was perfectly comfortable appearing nude in front of a camera. In a way, Salò made Franco's face immortal since one of the most highly publicised images of the film was the close-up of young Merli as his tongue is cut out in the final torture scenes. Another famous still from the scene where the victims are forced to pose as dogs, prominently showed Franco naked, on all fours, only wearing a dog collar - a fact that didn't enhance his career (see below).