BBFC Cuts by the Year

Cut by the BBFC for a 12A rated cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

• Prior to formal submission, the company made a number of reductions to violent elements throughout, in an attempt to achieve a 12A classification (the uncut version of the film had previously been classified 15). However, additional cuts were required to further reduce several violent scenes, in order to secure the requested 12A classification. A 15 classification without cuts was available.

• 2013 cinema release but this version was not release in favour of a cut 12A version

Cut for a 12A cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to reduce uses of strong language in order to achieve a 12A.

• 2013 cinema release not released as the distributors opted for a cut 12A release

Battle at Bloody Beach

• Battle on the Beach

Cut by the BBFC for 1961 cinema release. Cut again for 2013 DVD for animal cruelty. Uncut in the US

Summary Notes

This is only the second Audie Murphy movie set in WWII after his autobiographical "To Hell and Back." Here Murphy steps out of his usual kid-Western role to play a civilian working for the Navy helping supply guerilla insurgents in the Philippines. His sole motive is not politics nor bravery, but to find his bride from whom he was separated during the Japanese invasion two years before.

• 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation R0 DVD-R via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2013 Pegasus R2 DVD titled Battle at Bloody Beach

• Cut required to remove animal cruelty, in this case sight of two cocks being goaded to fury in the context of a cock fight

• 1961 cinema release titled Battle on the Beach

The Best of Rocko's Modern Life: Volume Two

Cut by the BBFC for DVD

• UK 2013 Content Partners video

The BBFC commented:

Cut required to remove sight of a potentially imitable technique in a work aimed at children (in this case sight of a pet dog being placed inside a tumbler dryer and spinning around, without any indication of potentially harmful consequences).

The Borgias

Summary Notes

Following the Borgia family as they rise to power in the Roman Catholic church. Rodrigo Borgia uses bribery, with the help of his son, to secure his position as Pope Alexander VI. But he has gained enemies in the College of Cardinals, who begin to plot against him. He must find alliances.

UK: Passed 15 for strong violence after 9s of BBFC compulsory cuts for:

• 2013 Paramount Home Entertainment Season 3 R2 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented:

• Company was required to remove sight of cockfighting.

Cut by the BBFC for a 12A rated cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The company chose to make cuts to violence in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

The Bounty Killer

Cut by the BBFC in 2013 for a horse fall

• 2013 Odeon Entertainment R0 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented:

• A compulsory cut was required to a scene of animal cruelty (in this case, sight of a horse being made to fall in a dangerous manner).

Celebrity Juice: Obscene and Unseen

Cut by the BBFC for a 15 rating

• 2013 2 entertain Video. video

The BBFC commented:

Cuts for the requested category required to remove directed male to female uses of very strong language ('cunt'). An 18 uncut was available.

Cocaine Cowboys II

Cut by the BBFC for 2013 DVD on grounds of instructional drug use

• 2013 Universal [Cocaine Cowboys 1 + 2] R2 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC Cuts were:

• A compulsory cut was required to remove a segment presenting a step-by-step guide to the preparation of crack cocaine.

• Vikram

BBFC category cuts for a 12A rated cinema release in 2013

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to make cuts to remove:

• a scene of violence (a man being set alight after being doused with alcohol) and
• a scene of bloody self-harming (a man cutting his arm with a knife)

in order to obtain a 12A rating. An uncut 15 classification was available.

See article from in.omg.yahoo.com :

Director Bejoy Nambiar has decided to remove Lucky Ali's song Ya Hussain from his new film David after some groups objected to it.

A section of the Muslim community had urged Nambiar to remove the song as they felt it does not befit their definition of propriety. The song accompanied a sequence in the film, which showed a Moharram procession. Nambiar explained:

They (Muslim groups) objected to the song. But they were kind enough to accept my invitation to discuss the matter. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that it would be better if I didn't hurt anyone's sentiments. So I've decided to remove the song.

Summary Notes

A safe cracker claims he has lost his memory when two criminals come calling for their cut of the bank heist loot.

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented in the 2013 Annual Report:

Ghanchakkar, a Hindi heist thriller, contained some moments of strong violence, including a gunshot to the head and a stabbing in the throat. The company chose to re-edit the film in order to secure a 12A classification.

A Good Day To Die Hard

The R rated Theatrical Version was cut by the BBFC for a 12A but restored to an uncut 15 for home video. There is also an Extended Version with a longer car chase.

• 2013 20th Century Fox Legacy Collection [Theatrical + Extended] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2013 [Theatrical + Extended] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon

US: The Extended Cut will be released for:

• 2013 20th Century Fox [Theatrical + Extended] (RA) Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon

Talk of a Director's Cut. See article from empireonline.com :

We find John Moore deep in the bowels of the John Ford dubbing theatre on the Fox lot in LA where, surrounded by his trusted editing team, he's going over two separate versions of the movie. One version of the movie is Moore's Director's Cut, which will be substantially longer than the 97 minute-long theatrical version, with the Moscow-levelling car chase around 30% longer.

The second is the 12A version that Fox have requested specifically to play in the UK (the version that will play in the US is filled with swearing and splashes of claret, and is R-rated). On screen, we watch as someone has a gun put to his head, and his brains promptly blown out. That won't be in the UK, says Moore, half-laughing, half-sighing.

See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com . The Extended version is 3:32s longer than the US Theatrical Version. The changes are:

•  Scenes featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as John's daughter Lucy have been deleted.
• The car chase has been extended
• There are multiple uncontroversial short scenes re-edited to be a little more relaxed with regards to the film spacing

MPAA

• 2013 20th Century Fox Legacy Collection R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2013 [Theatrical + Extended] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2013 [Theatrical only] R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: The US Theatrical Version is uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• 2013 20th Century Fox [Theatrical Version] R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon

category cuts requested

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

During post-production, the distributor sought and was given advice on how to secure the desired classification. Following this advice, certain changes were made prior to submission

This work was originally seen for advice in an unfinished form. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive a 15 certificate but that their preferred 12A classification could be achieved by making a number of cuts to both language and visuals. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, edits had been made:

• to reduce the number of uses of strong language (both fuck and motherfucker) and
• to reduce sequences of bloody violence, including blood sprays when characters are shot in the head, and punches to restrained individuals.

The formal submission was consequently rated '12A'.

Heaven's Gate

• Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate

Exists in a shortened Theatrical Version and a Director's Cut. Both versions were cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty

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• 2012 Criterion Restored RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2012 Criterion Restored R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2013 Second Sight RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2013 Second Sight R2 DVD at UK Amazon

UK: The Original Cut/Extended Edition was passed 18 after 1:14s of BBFC cuts for:

• 1986 Warner VHS

The BBFC cuts were for animal cruelty and have been applied to all UK releases albeit implemented differently:

• A cockfighting scene was cut
• Several cruel horse falls were removed

shortened

• 1981 cinema release

The BBFC cuts were for animal cruelty and have been applied to all UK releases albeit implemented differently:

• A cockfighting scene was cut
• Several cruel horse falls were removed

The Theatrical Version was shortened after a disastrous reception at the US premiere.

Summary Notes

The movie revolves around two friends (Sebastian and Angel) who suddenly discover their love for each other. They elope on the eve of the girl's marriage much to the chagrin of her brothers. The film essays their and the lovers' struggle for survival.

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• The distributor chose to remove scenes of soft drug use and strong violence (in this case, a bloody stabbing) in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

The BBFC further explained in the 2013 Annual Report:

In Honey Bee: It's Trippin, the distributor opted to excise scenes of joint smoking and bong use, presented in an appealing fashion, to secure a 12A classification.

Justin Bieber's Believe

BBFC category cuts for a PG rated cinema release

Summary Notes

A backstage and on-stage look at Justin Bieber during his rise to super stardom.

• 2014 Universal Studios RA Blu-ray/RA Blu-ray Combo at US Amazon
• 2014 Universal Studios R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2013 cinema release

• Company chose to completely obscure two uses of strong language to achieve a PG classification. An uncut 12A was available.

The BBFC added in the 2013 Annual Report:

Some efforts had been made to obscure strong language that occurs during a scene in which Bieber is besieged by reporters and angry words are exchanged. Nonetheless, although the stronger language was already partially obscured, it was still possible to make out the nature of the language being used, both because the bleeping of the words was inadequate and because the words could still be identified by the speaker's lip movements.

The distributor chose to increase the masking of the strong language by adding additional bleeping and blurring of mouth movements, in order to secure a PG classification.

Lad: A Yorkshire Story

BBFC category cuts for cinema release. Not yet released on home video.

Summary Notes

The Yorkshire Dales provides the backdrop for the story of a young lad and his elder brother as they spend a weekend roaming the countryside.

• 2013 cinema release

Company chose to remove brief images of sexualised nudity in a softcore pornographic magazine in order to achieve a 12A classification. A 15 classification without cuts was available.

The BBFC added in the 2013 Annual Report:

The film Lad: A Yorkshire Story, included a scene in which some teenage boys look at a pornographic magazine, with brief sight of fully naked women posing in a sexual fashion. Although briefly shown, these images go beyond the Guidelines at 12A and the distributor chose to remove them in order to secure a 12A classification.

Ladies & Gentleman

Passed 15 uncut but the distributors preferred a cut 12A cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• Company chose to remove focus on a woman hanging in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

• 2013 cinema release (unreleased)

The distributors preferred a 12A rating so a day later submitted a cut version which was duly rated 12A.

Little Deaths

Cut by the BBFC. Uncut in the Netherlands and the US

Promotional Material

Well-to-do home owners Richard and Victoria pose as religious do-gooders and lure homeless girls to their luxurious home. Apartment dwellers Claire and Pete invigorate their love life with a role-playing game with increasingly hazy boundaries. Jen and Frank, once prostitute and pimp, are now trying to make a go of things as an exclusive couple. Jen's even in therapy with a psychiatrist, who is secretly working with her husband Frank.

Each couple is in for a surprise. Richard and Victoria will have the tables turned on them by one of their lady victims; Claire will finally push Pete too far in their sexual game; and Jen and Frank can't begin to imagine what their conspiring psychiatrist is up to. Little Deaths are little games that sometimes lead to the big one.

• R2 DVD via UK Amazon

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2011 Image Entertainment R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2013 Monster Pictures R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 12th August 2013

The BBFC commented:

• Cuts required to remove a focus on sadistic humiliation during a scene of sexual violence.

The Long Riders

Cut by the BBFC for horse trips. Uncut in the US.

• 2011 MGM RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2001 MGM R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2013 Second Sight Films (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2001 MGM R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 1986 Warner VHS
• 1980 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• The Board removed sight of horses being deliberately tripped and forced into somersault.

The BBFC entry for the 1986 Warner VHS reads 1:35s of cuts but this seems to erroneous and does not stack up with the running time.

Thanks to Mark. BBC 1 recently showed its usual full uncut version. The 95 seconds of cuts on the BBFC database are nonsense. The only cuts made to the video/DVD are 4 seconds. This footage is of the forward somersault of a horse shot from under Robert Carradine.

Summary Notes

Young boy's dream to become Shahid Afridi.

• 2013 cinema release

• Cuts were required to remove detail of animal cruelty (in this instance shots of two quails fighting).

An uncut 15 rating was dropped in favour of a cut 12A rating for its UK cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The distributors

• 2013 cinema release

The distributors abandoned an uncut 15 rating, preferring a cut 12A rated release.

Cut for category for UK cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce or remove moments of strong violence (including sight of blood during gun battles and sight of characters being attacked with machetes) in order to obtain a 12A classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available to the distributor.

• 2013 cinema release but not released, distributors preferred a cut 12A version

Initially passed 15 uncut for cinema but cut for a 12A a couple of days later

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• Distributor chose to cut three scenes of bloody violence (two blood spurts resulting from machete attacks and the gory aftermath of a throat cutting) in order to achieve a 12A classification. A 15 uncut was available to the distributor.

• 2013 cinema release [not released, distributors preferred a cut 12A]

Project Wild Thing

BBFC category cuts for a PG rated cinema release.

Summary Notes

David Bond is concerned. His kids' waking hours are dominated by a cacophony of marketing, and a screen dependence threatening to turn them into glassy-eyed zombies. Like city kids everywhere, they spend way too much time indoors - not like it was back in his day. He decides it's time to get back to nature - literally. In an attempt to compete with the brands, which take up a third of his daughter's life, Bond appoints himself Marketing Director for Nature. Like any self-respecting salesman, he sets about developing a campaign and a logo. With the help of a number of bemused professionals, he is soon selling Nature to British families. His humorous journey unearths some painful truths about modern family life. His product is free, plentiful and has proven benefits - but is Nature past its sell-by date?

• 2014 Revolver Entertainment R1 DVD at US Amazon  

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The distributor chose to fully obscure one use of strong language in order to achieve a PG classification.. A 12A classification without cuts was available.

The BBFC added in its 2013 Annual Report

Strong language was also an issue with the documentary Project Wild Thing, which deals with the subject of children losing their connection with nature in modern society. In the film, the director attempts to promote the benefits of the natural world to children and their parents.

During one scene he becomes frustrated as he rehearses a speech and uses strong language, which again had been bleeped by the film makers, but insufficiently well. The company chose to obscure the word more completely, resulting in a PG classification for mild bad language and infrequent mild sex references.

Passed 15 uncut for cinema but then rapidly edited for a 12A

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to remove a sequence of bloody violence in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

• 2013 cinema release (unreleased)

The BBFC originally rated the film as 15 uncut but the distributors preferred a cut 12A release.

The Restless Breed

Unknown BBFC cuts for cinema release. Cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty in 2013.

Summary Notes

Educated but hot-headed Mitch Baker travels to the border town of Mission intent on avenging the death of his secret service father at the hand of contraband gang leader Newton.

• 2013 Simply Media R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 29th July 2013

The BBFC cuts were:

• Compulsory cuts required to remove sight of cock-fighting

• 1958 cinema release

Robotrix

• Nu ji xie ren

Cut by the BBFC for 1987 VHS and again for 2013 DVD

Summary Review: Robo Cop Meets Charlie's Angels

A science fiction, action, adult comedy is a definite beer and snacks movie. Although it may not be to everybody's taste, it's a fun movie for the most part (as is the case with many HK films, the humour can border on the tasteless).

The basic premise of the film is that a rather fetching and sexy lady agent has her mind transferred into the body of a robot following a shooting, thus becoming the ultimate sexy super-hero. Imagine Robocop meets Charlie's Angels with an adult touch and you've got the idea!

And Amy Yip is hot!

• HK Fortune Star R0 DVD via US Amazon
• full version on YouTube

• 2013 Medium Rare R2 DVD

• Compulsory cuts were required to remove two scenes of eroticised sexual violence.

Presumably the two scenes being referred to are:

• A villainous robot proves too rough for a prostitute who objects. The robot pins her against a wall and throttles her to death whilst continuing to pound away.
• A villain forces a long fellatio session on a scientist in her laboratory. Jokily filmed as if it were a porn film with frequent changes of position.

• 1987 MIA VHS

The cuts were to sexual violence

Sammy's Great Escape

• Sammy's Adventures 2
• Turtle's Tale 2: Sammy's Escape From Paradise

BBFC category cuts for a U rated cinema release and DVD. Uncut in the US

• 2013 Vivendi Entertainment R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 9th July 2013

• 2013 Warner [2D + 3D] R2 DVD
• 2013 [2D + 3D] cinema release

The BBFC Commented:

Distributor chose to remove a use of mild bad language in order to achieve a U classification. At U, only infrequent use of very mild bad language is allowed. An uncut PG was available Cuts were made by substitution.

The BBFC commented further in the 2013 Annual Report:

The film contains one emphatic use of frigging, which we do not consider to be very mild language and which seemed out of place within the otherwise benign tone of the film. The distributor chose to remove the word in order to ensure that the film was suitable for young children.

Saving General Yang

Cut by the BBFC for horse trips

Promotional Material

As an insecure Emperor seeks to destroy the noble Yang Family, the seven Yang brothers and their father are ushered into battle, a test to their unflinching loyalty and honour. Among 3000 warriors will be seven brothers and their father - but only one will survive.

Inspired by the true legends of the Yang Family and from acclaimed director Ronny Yu ( Fearless , IP Man ) Saving General Yang looks stunning and is packed with jaw-dropping action and incredible fight sequences.

• 2014 Universal Pictures UK R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 20th January 2014
• 2014 Universal Pictures UK R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 20th January 2014

• Cuts were required to remove sight of animal cruelty, in this case horses being tripped to fall forwards in a dangerous manner.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

BBFC advised cuts for a PG rated cinema release in 2013. Presumably uncut in the US

Summary Notes

A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive a 12A rating but that their preferred PG rating could be achieved by making limited changes, including:

• to remove sight of naked female pin-up pictures and

• to reduce violent threat in a fight scene.

When an edited version of the film was submitted for formal classification, these scenes had been addressed and the film was consequently rated PG.

Cut by the BBFC for a 12/12A rating

Summary Notes

A story about the hair-raising minefield between love, attraction and commitment.

• 2013 Yash Raj Films International video
• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• The distributor chose to remove uses of strong language ('bhainchod') in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available to the distributor.

Summary Notes

Duraisingam (Suriya) has gone undercover and is working as an NCC officer in a school in Thuthukoodi. He feels something fishy is happening in the seas around the coastal town. Bad guys join hands with an international drug dealer Danny (Danny Sapani) to flood the market with brown sugar. How our one-man army defeats the evil forces is what the rest of the film is about.

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

A number of cuts were made to scenes of strong bloody violence in order to achieve a 12A classification. These included sight of a man being repeatedly stabbed in the belly, several scenes where there was close-up dwelling of blood spurting out when people were shot, and slow-motion focus on blood gushing from a man's mouth during a fight. An uncut 15 classification was available to the distributor.

Snowflake: The White Gorilla

• Copito de Nieve

Cut by the BBFC for UK DVD

Summary Notes

Snowflake is special, he's the only white gorilla in the world. He is the zoo's main attraction, children love him, but the other gorillas don't see what's so charming about this weirdo being the center of attention.

• R2 DVD at UK Amazon

• 2013 Lions Gate video

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to cut a use of discriminatory language ('spaz') to achieve a U classification. A 12 without cuts was available.

• Time to Lead

Passed 15 uncut but immediately resubmitted and cut for a 12A cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to make cuts to obtain a 12A classification. Cuts made to remove a focus on violence and bloody injuries, including throat slittings and bloody stab wounds, as well as sight of blood on swords and machete blades.

• 2013 cinema release [unreleased, the distributors resubmitted a few days later for a cut 12A release]

Tooned 50

Cut for category by the BBFC for 2013 DVD

• 2013 Abbey Home Media Group plc video

• Company chose to remove an inadequately obscured use of strong language in order to obtain a PG classification. Cut made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 12 classification was available.

BBFC category cuts for a 12A rated 2013 cinema release

Summary Notes

The movie story is set against the backdrop of the National Highways leading to Bangalore.

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• Distributor chose to remove moments of violence and drug use in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

The BBFC further explained in the 2013 Annual Report:

Udhayam NH4 contained a scene in which a woman snorts cocaine in a bathroom and some moments of strong violence. The distributor chose to remove these scenes to achieve its preferred 12A classification

• 2013 cinema version not released

The film was first submitted and was passed 15 uncut for strong violence, threat and drug use. The distributors had a quick rethink and opted for a cut 12A version.

BBFC category cuts for the 2013 cinema release

• 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The distributor chose to reduce the number of uses of strong language in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.