BBFC Cuts by the Year

BBFC category cuts for 12A rated 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove images of strong violence (blows to faces with knees and elbows, and a man's arm being broken) to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

Battle Girls: Time Paradox

Cut by the BBFC for a 15 rated 2015 DVD. Uncut in the US.

• 2013 Section 23 R1 DVD

• 2014 MVM [Dubbed] video

• Cut required to remove a scene in which the nudity of a character who is presented as under 16 is presented in a sexualised manner. Cut required in accordance with BBFC Guidelines, policy and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

The Equalizer

BBFC advised category cuts for a 15 rated 2014 cinema release.

Summary Notes

A former black ops commando who faked his death for a quiet life in Boston comes out of his retirement to rescue a young girl and finds himself face to face with Russian gangsters.

• 2014 Sony RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2014 Sony R1 DVD at US Amazon

Hopefully uncut bit there have been recent films where the US studios have adopted BBFC advised category cuts for worldwide release including the US.

• 2015 Sony RB Blu-ray
• 2015 Sony R2 DVD

UK: Passed 15 for strong bloody violence, sex references, strong language after BBFC advised pre-cuts for:

• 2014 cinema release

• This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive an 18 certificate but that their preferred 15 classification could be achieved by making cuts to reduce the violence in two scenes. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, edits had been made to reduce sequences of violence, including detail of a stabbing with a corkscrew and a garroting. The formal submission was consequently rated 15.

Found

Cut by the BBFC for an 18 rated 2014 DVD release. Uncut in the US. Cut by 7 minutes in Australia after being initially banned.

Promotional Material

FOUND is a unique and supremely disturbing coming-of-age story of a boy whose big brother is a serial-killer.

Growing up is tough for Marty. His parents don't understand him and he is bullied at school. He has only his big brother to look up to...that is until he discovers his brother's chilling secret and a severed head in a sports bag at home.

FOUND unravels a gripping and gruesome story that captures what it's like to grow up in the time of VHS tapes and video nasties, as the American dream and everyday suburbia descends into a home-grown hell that will leave even the most hardened horror fan shocked by its disturbing finale.

"One of the most gut-wrenching experiences I've had in a long time" (Dark Media)
"A compelling, unique and, yes, totally sick portrait of a serial killer" (Twitch Film)
"The horror film that true genre fans have been waiting for" (HorrorNews)

• 2014 Xlrator R1 DVD at US Amazon released=

• 2014 Monster Pictures R2 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented:

• A cut was required to remove sight of a murderer's erect penis, during a scene of sadistic sexualised violence and threat.

The full 103m version was banned in May 2014. A version was later passed R18+ but had to be cut by around 7 minutes.

See Banned International: Found

BBFC category cuts were made for the 12A rated 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove a scene of strong violence in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

Gun Woman

• Nyotaiju Gun Woman

Cut by the BBFC for an 18 rated 2014 DVD release. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US

Promotional Material

A brilliant doctor on a quest for revenge buys a young woman, a former junkie, and trains her to be the ultimate assassin. In the sickening and horrific training, she actually becomes the instrument of vengeance, as he implants gun parts in her body that she must later assemble and use to kill her target before she bleeds to death.  

• 2015 Shout! Factory (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2015 Shout! Factory R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 Monster Pictures RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 29th December 2014
• 2014 Monster Pictures R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 29th December 2014

• Cut required to remove focus on a man's pleasure in the context of sexual violence. Cut made in line with BBFC Guidelines and policy, and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

Hercules

The Theatrical Version suffered BBFC advised category cuts for a 2014 12A rated cinema release. The BBFC cuts were adopted for worldwide release. There is also an Unrated Extended Version.

Summary Notes

Fourteen hundred years BCE, a tormented soul walked the earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules was the powerful son of the god king Zeus, for this he received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labours and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods finding his only solace in bloody battle. Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and presence of death. These men and women never question where they go to fight or why or whom, just how much they will be paid. Now the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time. It is time for this bunch of lost souls to finally have their eyes opened to how far they have fallen when they must train an army to become as ruthless and blood thirsty as their reputation has become.

• 2014 Paramount [3D + 2D] RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 4th November 2014
• 2014 Paramount [2D only] RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 4th November 2014

See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com : The Extended Version adds lots of blood to the fight/battle scenes and makes for a more violent movie that would never have made a PG-13 rating. In addition the Extended Version adds 3:31s of plot which does not make a lot of difference but helps to explain the conflicts with General Sitacles.

• 2014 Paramount [2D + 3D] Blu-ray
• 2014 Paramount DVD
• 2014 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

• This film was originally seen for advice in an incomplete form. The company was informed that it was likely to be classified 15, but that their preferred 12A could be achieved by reducing some bloody detail in three scenes. When the finished version was submitted for formal classification, those moments had been addressed.

US:  The BBFC advised cuts were adopted for the Theatrical Version which was rated MPAA PG-13 for epic battle sequences, violence, suggestive comments, brief strong language and partial nudity.

Horns

BBFC advised category cuts for a 15 rated 2014 cinema release. An uncut version was passed 18 for video

Summary Notes

In the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to strange horns sprouting from his temples.

• 2014 Lions Gate video

The release pattern for UK DVD and Blu-ray is not yet known

• 2014 Lions Gate video
• 2014 cinema release

• This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive an 18 certificate but that their preferred 15 classification could be achieved by making cuts to reduce a scene of sexual violence and to reduce a very strong gory image. When the film was submitted for formal classification, edits had been made and the film was classified 15.

House on the Hill

Summary Notes

Based on a true story, HOUSE ON THE HILL is a true crime melodrama with strong horror elements, chronicling the outrageous 1980s murder spree of serial killer Leonard Lake, who would target, kidnap, rob and kill people -- and even whole families. Sonia, the only survivor of Lake's killing spree, teams up with a private investigator to help him locate a woman who disappeared into Lake's compound. In the process, Sonia recounts the horrors of the house, where Lake and his accomplice would force her to videotape the killings.

• 2014 Lighthouse Digital Media video

• Cuts required to remove or reduce scenes of sexual and sexualised violence. Cuts required in line with BBFC Guidelines, policy and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

I'm a Porn Star

Summary Notes

I'm a Porn Star follows the lives of guys in the neighborhood who are likely a lot more famous than you - at least on the Internet. There are an estimated 370 million pornographic websites on-line. Porn is now a thirteen BILLION dollar business. So who's doing all this moonlighting? Turns out -- probably some people you know.

• 2014 Tla Releasing R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 29th September 2014

• Company chose to remove a number of shots showing explicit pornography in order to achieve an 18 classification. An uncut R18 classification was available.

The Inbetweeners 2

BBFC advised category cuts were made for a 15 rated cinema and home video release.

Promotional Material

University life is not all it's cracked up to be. Will is finding it difficult to make friends at Bristol and Simon is struggling to cope in his relationship with Lucy. When Neil and Simon visit Will for an uneventful weekend they make the decision to travel to Australia to meet up with Jay who is having the time of his life on a mental gap year of sun, surf and sex. Or so he claims.

Once in Oz, the boys discover Jay's tales of wild times and super-stardom in Sydney aren't quite true. What a surprise! Will convinces them to embark on a real travelling experience and then the holiday really begins. There's unintentional proposals, singing round the camp fire, disgrace at a water park and a trip into the outback... will they survive ?

• 2014 Channel 4 DVD RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2014 Channel 4 DVD R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2014 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

This film was previously seen for advice. The company was advised the film was likely to be classified 18 but that their preferred 15 could be achieved by making reductions to two scenes involving crude humour.

The John Cena Experience

Previously released 15 uncut in a version with many more extras.  Released in 2014 with a PG rating after BBFC extended the bleeping.

Summary Notes

A unique documentary following WWE Superstar John Cena in and out of the ring, including his intense preparation for WrestleMania. Cena shares his views on WWE, movies, his music, giving back to the community, and so much more.

• 2013 Fremantlemedia R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2010 Clear Vision RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon

• 2014 Fremantlemedia/WWW R2 DVD

• Company chose to increase the duration of a bleep over an inadequately disguised use of strong language, in order to obtain a PG classification. Change made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 12 classification was available.

The film suffered BBFC category cuts for a 12A rated 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Distributor chose to reduce scenes of strong violence in order to receive a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available

Kingsman: the Secret Service

BBFC advised category cuts were required for a 2015 15 rated cinema release. The same cut version is 15 rated for home video and has been distributed worldwide (albeit with further cuts in some countries).

Summary Notes

A veteran secret agent takes a young upstart under his wing.

• 2015 Twentieth Century Fox RB Blu-ray
• 2015 Twentieth Century Fox R2 DVD
• 2014 cinema release

This film was originally seen for advice in an unfinished version. The company was informed the film was likely to be classified 18, but that their requested 15 could be achieved by making some reductions in scenes of violence. When the finished version was submitted for formal classification, reductions had been made and the film was passed 15.

• 2015 20th Century Fox (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2015 20th Century Fox (R1) DVD at US Amazon

See  interview from  denofgeek.com . Director Matthew Vaughn has denied that changes were made to obtain a 15 rating.

Den of Geek: I should ask you just to clarify the certification of the film in the UK ...

Vaughn: I haven't changed a fucking frame!

Den of Geek: Absolutely nothing? The BBFC posted that certain changes were made prior to submission to get a 15 certificate in the UK ?

Vaughn: Nothing. You've seen it! They're pretty intelligent people, the BBFC. And I think they get it right most of the time. They watched it, and I sat down with them. The violence is fun. You don't see people grimacing. They're laughing with it. It's like Tom & Jerry. It's over the top and colourful and playful.

However an article from movie-censorship.com gives more hope of an uncut version:

The British cut of the movie clocks in at 128:34 minutes while the German release has a duration of 129:25 minutes. The difference of 51 seconds is quite large and isn't due to rounding up. Also, logos can most likely be ignored since the film's sole distributor is 20th Century Fox. Therefore, it's quite possible that the film's UK pre-cuts won't affect other markets.

The Love Punch

BBFC category cuts were inflicted for the 2014 cinema and home video release

Summary Notes

A divorced couple scheme to recover the retirement money that was stolen from them.

• 2014 Ketchup R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 Entertainment One UK RB Blu-ray
• 2014 Entertainment One UK R2 DVD
• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove strong language (in this case 'motherfucker') in order to secure a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

The BBFC commented further in the Annual Report covering 2014:

Originally contained a particularly strong term ('motherfucker'), which was redubbed by the company in order to secure a 12A classification. The use was a major focus of the scene and spoken in a comically aggressive manner.

Summary Notes

Kaali (Karthi) is the local Chennai guy, the darling of his mom and the most literate person in his gang, he has a happy go lucky life with his best friend Kalairasanand (Kalaiyarasan). Things go wrong when there arises an issue of a WALL that stands tall amidst a chilling superstitious rumor and finally two groups fight around it.

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to make cuts to moments of strong violence and bloody injury detail in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

The BBFC further commented in the Annual Report covering 2014:

Madras, a Tamil political romantic drama, contained some moments of strong violence, including a bloody machete attack and several repeated, personalised fighting blows.

The Maze Runner

BBFC category cuts were implemented for a 12A rated 2014 cinema release

Summary Notes

A group of boys, with no memories of their past lives, must escape a massive maze infested with deadly creatures.

• 2014 Twentieth Century Fox video

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images for:

• 2014 20th Century Fox (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2014 20th Century Fox (R1) DVD at US Amazon

• 2015 Twentieth Century Fox video
• 2014 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove or reduce moments of threat, violence and injury detail in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

BBFC category cuts for 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• The company chose to remove or reduce sequences of strong violence and bloody detail in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available.

My Dog the Champion

Cut by the BBFC in 2014 for a U rated DVD release

• 2014 (R1) DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 4Digital Media video

• A cut was made to remove a use of the term 'spastic', in order to obtain a U classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. A 12 classification without cuts was available.

The BBFC further commented in the 2014 Annual Report:

There is one use of the term spastic, when a young man is talking about his unruly dog. With no condemnation of the use, and in line with what the public tells us about such language, the term was unacceptable at U.

Category cuts for a 12A rating

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove moments of strong bloody violence (two stabbings and an impaling) and a scene of sexual violence (gang rape of a woman) in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available.

• 2014 cinema release unreleased as he distributors wanted a 12A rating

Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?

• Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?!

BBFC advised category cuts were made for a U rated 2014 cinema release.

Summary Notes

The pupils of St Bernadette's and the madcap Mr Poppy (MARC WOOTTON) are back! When their new teacher Mr Shepherd (MARTIN CLUNES) loses his memory as well as Archie the Donkey, it's up to them to save the day and reunite him with his fiancée Sophie (CATHERINE TATE) in New York. Prepare for a race against time, fantastic flashmobs and plenty of Christmas fun on their greatest adventure yet.

• 2014 cinema release titled Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?!

The BBFC commented in the 2014 Annual Report:

The distributor sought classification advice from the BBFC in two stages before submitting it formally.

An early version of the film contained a single use of ass, in the context of a donkey shaking its rear and we advised the distributor that this use would be acceptable as 'very mild bad language' at U.

A later version of the film contained repeated uses of shake that ass in song lyrics, and without the contextual justification of the earlier use, we informed the company it was likely to be passed PG.

When the final version of the film was submitted for formal classification, the company had chosen to replace all uses of the word ass in the song lyrics with 'thing'.

Both versions of the film also contained the phrase elf off, said by an elf, during an elf-style ghetto slang scene. Since this word play takes a euphemistic form, rather than a direct replacement for strong language, it was acceptable within the context of the wider film at the U category.

Passed 12A after category cuts fro cinema release. A few days earlier the film has been passed 15 uncut, but the distributors preferred the cut 12A rating fro release.

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove stronger moments of violence and reduce bloody detail, in a number of fight scenes, in order to obtain a 12A classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available.

• 2014 cinema release unreleased in favour of a cut 12A

Ninja: Shadow of a Tear

• Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear

BBFC animal cruelty cuts for 2014 15 rated DVD and Blu-ray, Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.

Summary Notes

Ninjitsu master Casey is back and out for revenge when his pregnant wife is murdered.

• 2013 Millennium RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2013 Millennium R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2014 Lionsgate UK RB Blu-ray
• 2014 Lionsgate UK R2 DVD

• Cuts were required to remove sight of cockfighting, in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.

Paul Zerdin

BBFC category cuts were required for 2014 DVD release

• 2014 Laughing Stock video

• The distributor chose to remove bad language, sex references, innuendo and drug references in order to obtain a PG classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 12 was available.

Pompeii

BBFC advised category cuts were required for 12A rated cinema release and 12 rated DVD/Blu-ray. The BBFC cuts were applied worldwide including the US where the film is MPAA PG-13 rated

Summary Notes

A slave turned gladiator finds himself in a race against time to save his true love, who has been betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, he must fight to save his beloved as Pompeii crumbles around him.

• 2014 Entertainment One [3D + 2D] RB Blu-ray
• 2014 Entertainment One [2D] RB Blu-ray
• 2014 Entertainment One R2 DVD
• 2014 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

This work was originally seen for advice. 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 some changes.

The company was advised:

• to reduce stronger moments of violence where there was a dwelling on particular acts and
• to reduce the emphasis on blood on bladed weapons.

When the film was formally submitted, changes had been made which addressed these concerns. Consequently, the film was passed 12A.

• 2014 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment [3D + 2D] RA Blu-ray
• 2014 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment [2D only] RA Blu-ray
• 2014 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment R1 DVD

Summary Notes

Vasu (Vishal), is a guy who due to some misunderstandings has come out of his rich joint family headed by his mother (Radhika Sarathkumar), and sets up a money lending business. D alias Divya (Shruthi Haasan) a modern girl falls for his good nature. A businessman and a contract killer, Anna Thandavam (Mukesh Tiwari), rubs Vasu the wrong way and bitter battle erupts.

• 2014 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove moments of strong violence in order to obtain a 12A. An uncut 15 classification was available.

Pop Party 13

This video may have the distinction of being the first victim of a new law removing an exemption from BBFC censorship for music videos. It was cut for category on the day that the new regulation came in, 1st October 2014

• 2014 Universal Music TV video

• Distributor chose to remove stronger sexual content within music videos and to remove a use of strong language for PG. An uncut 12 was available.

Pudsey the Dog: the Movie

BBFC category cuts for a U rated 2014 cinema release

A heartwarming, quintessentially British adventure for all the family, PUDSEY THE DOG: THE MOVIE follows cheeky London stray dog, Pudsey, who is quite happy being a lone ranger, looking out for number one, until he meets siblings Molly (Izzy Meikle-Small), George (Spike White) and Tommy (Malachy Knights). After losing their father, their mother Gail (Jessica Hynes) is moving the family to the sleepy village of Chuffington and Pudsey tags along, to the dismay of their landlord, Mr. Thorne (John Sessions), and his cat Faustus. As Pudsey starts to settle in with the family and realize what he was missing when he was alone, he stumbles across Thorne's evil plan and he determines to save them and the whole village.

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove a single use of mild bad language ('bugger') in order to obtain a U classification. An uncut PG classification was available.

• 2014 cinema release. Unreleased in favour of a cut U rated version

The film was originally passed PG uncut but the distributor preferred a cut version and so resubmitted the film with view to accepting cuts for a U

Punjab 1984

BBFC category cuts for a 12A rated 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce a scene of violence (a man's face being held down in sand, in order to suffocate him) in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

Cut by the BBFC for 2014 cinema release

• 2014 B4U Network video

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove an aggressive use of strong language ('motherf**ker') in order to obtain a 12A classification. Cut made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available.

BBFC category cuts for 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to remove a moment of strong violence (a man being hit in the face with a wrench, in slow motion, resulting in blood spraying from his mouth) in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cut made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 classification was available.

BBFC category cuts for a 12A rated 2014 cinema release

• 2014 cinema release

• Distributor chose to reduce violence in two scenes in order to receive a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

Sexy Battle Girls

• Nerawareta gakuen: seifuku o osou

Heavily cut by the BBFC for a 2015 18 rated DVD release. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.

Summary Notes

Mirai, a high school girl, is transferred to an upscale private girls school. She soon finds out the school not only cultivates young minds, but also supplies young bodies to rich politicians. Moreover, the school's headmaster ripped apart her family. She undergoes special training, and fights her way to sweet revenge!

• 2009 Pink Eiga R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2014 Salvation Films [Subtitled] video

• Cuts required to scenes of sexual violence. Cuts required in accordance with BBFC Guidelines, policy and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

Soulmate

Cut by the BBFC for providing details that may assist suicide. Uncut in the US.

Summery Notes:

Widowed Audrey retreats to an isolated Welsh cabin after a failed suicide attempt, to recuperate. Still haunted by the tragic death of her husband and struggling with her psychosis, she begins to hear strange noises.

• 2014 Revolver Entertainment R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 SODA Pictures R2 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC cuts were:

• Cuts were required to remove a detailed focus on a particular suicide technique.

See  pictorial cuts details from  movie-censorship.com . The distributors deleted the entire pre-credits scene depicting a suicide. The distributors had in fact 3 options:

• No cuts and the film would be banned
• 16s of cuts to remove just the vertical cutting details of the suicide but leaving the suicide otherwise in place. This would then have been 18 rated. (Suicide in films for under 18s is a very sensitive area these days).
• Deleting the suicide film entirely resulted in a 15 rating.

See article from starburstmagazine.com :

The BBFC demanded 16 seconds be removed from the two and a half minute scene in order to be granted a rating, but the required edits ended up masticating the opening to such an extent Carolyn decided it would be better to just remove it entirely rather than risk it coming across as precisely the kind of watered down, almost romanticised portrayal of suicide she was intentionally trying to avoid. As this was by far the most graphic scene of the whole film, without it the rating ended up downgraded to a 15.

Previously the director wrote that the BBFC had requested cuts. See  article from  uk.movies.yahoo.com : Cuts requested

The BBFC have requested cuts be made to the British-made supernatural romance Soulmate .

The feature debut of writer-director Axelle Carolyn, Soulmate stars Anna Walton as a grieving widow who seeks solace in a remote country cottage - but finds it occupied by a ghost (Tom Wisdom), with whom she gradually builds a friendship.

The source of the trouble, it seems, is the film's opening scene, in which Walton's distraught character attempts suicide by slitting her wrists in the bath; a fairly distressing sight, for sure, but hardly without precedent.

However, the BBFC said that this constitutes imitable behaviour with the potential to cause harm, and has asked for sequence to be re-edited before before granting a certificate.

This issue has cropped up before and presumably the suicide depicts an effective method of suicide that is not widely known. The BBFC cuts are intended to try and keep it that way, albeit that the secret is largely let out of the bag already.

Axelle Carolyn is not best pleased about the BBFC's stance. She voiced her anger on Twitter. 

BBFC has required 4 long sets of cuts for SOULMATE. Otherwise it's banned. Take that, splat pack: I made a video nasty without even trying. -

The BBFC says, Imitable behavior, potential harm. Basically my opening scene could cause a wave of suicides in the UK.

The Spanish Chainsaw Massacre

• Carnívoros

Cut by the BBFC for 2014 DVD release

Promotional Material

Las Pollas del Metal (The Metal Dicks), a heavy metal band, are on tour to promote their first album. On the road to Galicia, their van suffers a flat tyre and they have to stay overnight at the "Gutierrez's town", a small village located nowhere. Next day, the town is throwing a festival where its inhabitants celebrate the patron saint's day. The Mayor invites the artists to join the celebration and they accept, without knowing a brutal danger awaits them.

• 2014 88 Films video

• Cut required to a sequence of sadistic and sexualised violence involving a child.

Step Up: All In

BBFC advised category cuts were required for a PG rated 2014 cinema release but uncut on 12 rated home video. Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated in the US.

Summary Notes

All-stars from the previous Step Up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.

• 2014 Universal [3D + 2D] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2014 Universal [2D only] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2014 Universal R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

• 2014 Lionsgate RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2014 Lionsgate R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 cinema release

• This film was originally seen for advice. The BBFC advised the company that it was likely to be classified 12A, but that their preferred PG could be achieved by removing two uses of strong language. When the film was submitted for formal classification, both uses of strong language had been removed.

Taken 3

• Tak3n
• Búsqueda implacable 3

BBFC advised category cuts were made for a cinema 12A rating for 2015 release.

Summary Notes

Bryan Mills, an Ex-government operative is accused of a ruthless murder he never committed or witnessed as he is tracked and pursued, Bryan Mills brings out his particular set of skills to find the true killer and clear his name.

Hopefully uncut but there have been a couple of recent examples where BBFC advised category cuts have been adopted for worldwide release.

• 2015 cinema release

• This film was originally seen for advice in an incomplete form. The BBFC advised the company that the film was likely to receive a 15, but that their requested 12A could be achieved by making reductions in scenes of violence. When the finished version was submitted for formal classification, those changes had been made and the film was classified 12A.

A Tiger's Tail

BBFC category cuts for a U rated 2014 DVD

Summary Notes

A boy winds up in this live-action adventure of a lifetime when Luna, a baby tiger cub, escapes from an animal sanctuary and follows him home. It is up one boy, his friend, and his dog to return Luna to her home before she destroys his parents' home.

• 2014 Epic R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2014 ICON Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 21st July 2014

• Company chose to remove a use of mild bad language ('crap') in order to obtain a U classification. Cut made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut PG classification was available.

BBFC category cuts for the 12A rated cinema release in 2014

UK: Passed 12A for moderate violence and innuendo after 50s of BBFC category cuts for:

• 2014 cinema release

• The distributor chose to cut scenes of strong violence (a blood spurt from a cut throat, blood dripping from a man suspended upside down, a heaving beating and the bloody tip of a spear emerging from a man's chest) in order to achieve a 12A rating. An uncut 15 was available.

Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide 2: Draconian Days

There exists and Original Version and an Extended Cut of the documentary. The Trailer Reel was cut by the BBFC

Promotional Material

Released to tie in with the 30th Anniversary of the Video Recordings Act, July 1984 and limited to 6,666 individually numbered sets, each comes with postcards featuring the DPP Section 3 cover art and Graham Humphrey’s original cover art.

The Video Nasties continue to be a major source of interest to this day, and after the crtical and sales success of Video Nasties 1, comes the return! Video Nasties 2 is released to tie-in with the establishment of the Video Recordings Act.

• 2014 Nucleus Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon

• 2014 Nucleus Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 14th July 2014

• Compulsory cuts were required to remove sight of real animal cruelty (a live animal being cut open with a knife, during a trailer for 'Last Cannibal World'). Cut required in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.

BBFC category cuts for a U  rated version

• 2014 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce scenes of mild violence and threat, and to remove more detailed verbal references to violence, in order to obtain a U classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut PG classification was available.

The BBFC further commented in the 2014 Annual Report:

Viking Adventures from the British Museum is a documentary about that museum's exhibition and is specifically aimed at children at Key Stage 2 level in primary education. It features new artefact discoveries and dramatic reconstructions of Viking life hosted by young presenters.

A number of scenes included images of historical weapons, often within dramatic reconstructions or being used to show how certain strikes or blows could injure a human.

Although clearly in an educational context, the frequency and focus on realistic violence was more in line with PG Guidelines, and the distributor chose to make significant cuts to reduce the intensity and sense of violent threat to achieve a U classification.

• 2014 cinema release Unreleased as the distributors opted for a U rated version

A Walk Among the Tombstones

BBFC advised category cuts were made for a 15 rated cinema release and home video.

Promotional Material

Private investigator Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson) is hired by a drug trafficker to find those responsible for the kidnap and murder of his wife.

Following the trail Scudder uncovers some dark secrets leading him to think that his employer’s wife was not the first victim and her murderers are going to strike again. Can he stop them before they claim another victim?

• 2015 Universal Studios R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2015 Universal Studios R1 DVD at US Amazon

Hopefully the BBFC advised cuts haven't found their way into the US release.

• 2015  Entertainment One RB Blu-ray
• 2015  Entertainment One R2 DVD
• 2014 cinema release

• This work was originally seen for advice. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive an 18 certificate but that their preferred 15 classification could be achieved by making cuts to reduce a scene of sexualised threat and to remove an accompanying aggressive use of very strong language directed at a woman. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, edits had been made to this scene. The formal submission was consequently rated 15.

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet

Summary Notes

A 10-year-old cartographer secretly leaves his family's ranch in Montana where he lives with his cowboy father and scientist mother and travels across the country on board a freight train to receive an award at the Smithsonian Institute.

• 2014 [2D + 3D] cinema release

• This film was seen for advice, prior to formal submission. The company was informed that the likely classification was 15, but that their preferred 12A could be achieved by removing a single use of the word 'motherfucker'. When the film was submitted for formal classification, this word had been replaced and the film was classified 12A.

Thanks to Pooch:

Towards the end of the film, the titular character does a TV interview, whilst being manipulated by the lady who runs the Smithsonian Institute. In the original film, after the interview spectacularly fails, she calls Spivet You motherfucker, albeit at a distance, and from behind her, so you can't see her face/mouth!

In the UK version, motherfucker has been dubbed quite well by the same actress, or at least someone who sounds very similar, with the immortal You melon-farmer!

If it weren't for this, and two uses of the word fuck, which were all completely unnecessary and totally jarring, this would have been a PG-rated film, ideal for youngsters and families.