Latest UK Cuts

Visions of Ecstasy is a 1989 UK erotic short by Nigel Wingrove. With Louise Downie, Elisha Scott and Dan Fox. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut for nudity and sex involving religious images for:

• UK 2012 4Digital/Redemption R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release 26th March 2012

Previously Banned

Previously banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 1989 Axel VHS

The BBFC decision was subsequently appealed to the Video Appeals Committee who upheld the ban.

DVD Features

Included with this historic film is a 40 page, booklet written by the films director, Nigel Wingrove, in which he explains how the film came to be made, the effect its banning had on his life and future work, and how his continuing battles against film censorship led eventually to the resignation of the BBFC's then director, JamesFerman, the legalisation of pornography and a general relaxations of film classification overall.

Also included on this DVD are the director s first erotic short film, Axel (1986) and his nunsploitation feature, Sacred Flesh (2000), in which a Mother Superior struggles with her sexual desires in a series of imagined dialogues with Mary Magdalene will her mind torments her with images of sexual perversion, lesbianism and sadomasochism. Sacred Flesh was cut by 25s by the BBFC when it was submitted in 2000.

Additional extras include extensive stills, press gallery and interviews.

Night Train Murders (aka Late Night Trains) is a 1975 Italian horror film by Aldo Lado. With Flavio Bucci, Macha Méril and Gianfranco De Grassi. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Blue Underground R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 31st January 2012
• US 2004 Blue Underground R1 DVD at US Amazon

Blu-ray Features

Night Train Murders is presented in a brand-new High Definition transfer from the original uncensored negative!

Extras:

• Riding the Night Train - Interview with Co-Writer/Director Aldo Lado
• U.S. Trailer
• International Trailer
• Radio Spots

Uncut in the UK

The BBFC passed the film 18 uncut for strong scenes of sexual violence for:

• UK 2011 Shameless Slasher Nasties Triple Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2008 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD at UK Amazon

The BBFC commented about their uncut decsion:

• The development of media awareness and public knowledge of film styles were felt to have reduced the impact and potential for harm of the scenes of sexual assault in the film, which seem particularly dated now.

Video Nasty

Cinehollywood released an uncut video in November 1981 under the title Night Train Murders. This version was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. This was dropped from the list in March 1984

Previously Video Warehouse International released a cut video as Late Night Trains in 1981. This release was missing about 1 minute of violence and nearly 2 minutes of non contentious material

Banned by the BBFC

Banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 1976 cinema release titled Late Night Trains

Summary Review: Decent Acting

This film borrowed heavily from Last House on the Left, but Night Train Murders is the better of the two. Good production values, excellent cinematography, an Ennio Morricone score, decent acting and a tight script.

The first third of the film introduces the main characters, most of whom seem to be prone to indulging in one perversion or another.

The "defilement" section of the film is a gripping, harrowing affair that escalates in viciousness before climaxing in a very brutal fashion.

The final act does not live up to the scenes that precede it. The director's desire to keep from glamorizing violence is probably why the ending feels somewhat restrained.

The Tin Drum is a 1979 West German film by Volker Schlondorff. With David Bennent, Mario Adorf and Angela Winkler. See IMDb

Director's Cut

The Director's Cut was passed 15 uncut for strong sex and sexualised nudity for:

• UK 2011 Arrow Academy (also with Theatrical Version) RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon just released on 30th January 2012

The Director's Cut adds plot details that add depth to the film. It basically restores scenes that were removed when the distributors wanted the film to be shortened for running time reasons. See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com

Uncut Theatrical Version

Previously the Theatrical Version was passed 15 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2011 Arrow Academy (also with Director's Cut RB Blu-ray) R2 DVD
• UK 2003 Nouveaux Pictures R2 DVD

The cut's were waived when the BBFC decided that the disputed scene did not constitute an indecent image. You do not see Maria's pubes and it seems likely (from other evidence - eg the book about the making of the film) that Scholndorff made her wear masking tape at this point. The offending shot simply shows a young boy pressing his face against a woman's pubic region (not actually her vagina). 

It is  a serious film with little else to comfort paedophiles and expert views agreed that the scene was no more indecent (or vulnerable to misuse) than some of the other scenes in the film, such as the sherbert licking.

Cut Theatrical Version

Before that the Theatrical Version was passed 15 after 19s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1997 Disc VHS
• UK 1994 Connoisseur VHS
• UK 1980 cinema release (X Rated)

The BBFC cuts were:

• A shot has been deleted from the scene where the young Oskar is seen burying his head in Maria's pubic area.

Release Details

Arrow Academy presents Volker Schlöndorff s masterpiece in its original theatrical version and the Director's Cut, seen for the first time in the UK after its Cannes Film Festival premiere.

Extras:

• High Definition and Standard Definition presentation of the original theatrical version
• High Definition presentation of the Director s Cut [Blu-ray only]
• New restoration of both the theatrical version and the brand new Director s Cut approved by director Volker Schlöndorff
• Brand new interview with Volker Schlöndorff
• Comprehensive booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by George Lellis and Hans-Bernhard Moeller, authors of Volker Schlondorff's Cinema: Adaptation, Politics and the Movie-appropriate, as well as extracts from Volker Schlöndorff s diary, writing by Jean Claude Carrière and Günter Grass, illustrated with archival stills.
• More extras to be announced!

Four Flies on Grey Velvet is a 1971 Italy/France giallo by Dario Argento. With Michael Brandon and Mimsy Farmer. See IMDb

A Restored Version/Rebuild Edit  was passed 15 uncut for strong violence for:

• UK 2012 Argent/Shameless 40th Anniversary Blu-ray at UK Amazon just released on 30th January 2012
• UK 2012 Argent/Shameless 40th Anniversary R2 DVD at UK Amazon just released on 30th January 2012

From promotional material:

This special 40th Anniversary Edition has been fully re-mastered in HD from the original negative and includes four inserts of previously missing footage, through print damage, known amongst Argento fans as the legendary missing forty seconds.

However the inserts are in Standard-Definition quality only. The Blu-ray will allow for seamless branching of the four inserts giving viewers two versions of the film: one all HD without the re-inserted scenes and one longer version including the inserts.

Previous Releases

The film's last appearance in the UK was X rated after BBFC cuts for the 1973 cinema release.

Summary Review: Argento's rarest giallo

A musician is stalked by an unknown killer who's blackmailing him for an accidental killing of another stalker. But is everything what it appears to be?

Argento demonstrates some very creative camera work in this one. Furthermore, he keeps a nice and steady pace, there is very little downtime in this one and Ennio Morricone gives a good, if not great score.

It also boasts some inventive deaths. Now, Four Flies on Grey Velvet certainly has its flaws. There is a bit too much comedy in for my tastes, which I feel distracted from the horror. Also, Morriconne's score is underutilized and there isn't enough nudity.

Undoubtedly Dario Argento's rarest giallo, Four Flies on Grey Velvet is none the less the weakest in his Animal Trilogy (which also includes The Bird with the Crystal Plumage and Cat O'Nine Tails), but it is still a pretty entertaining entry in the giallo genre.

Rolling Thunder is a 1977 action revenge film by John Flynn. With William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones and Linda Haynes. See IMDb

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2011 Optimum Online
• UK 2011 Optimum/Studio Canal R2 DVD/RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon just released on 30th January 2012

Previously Cut

The cinema release was passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for UK 1977 cinema release

The BBFC cuts were:

• A couple of uses of William Devane's sharpened hook hand being used as a weapon were deleted

Summary Review: Outright mayhem

Returning war hero  William Devane receives a generous local gift during ceremonies in his Texas hometown. Later on, a bunch of good old boys come to rob him of the gift. They torture him and off his family in the process.

The remaining 70 or so minutes of the film detail Devane's search for the killers and his revenge. He takes up with a lonely woman during the search while teaching himself to use a shotgun with his new mechanical hand (he lost the real one in the torture-robbery-murder back home.)

Anyone that likes either of the main actors (Wiiliam Devane or Tommy Lee Jones), high class violence, or revenge films will enjoy this movie.

Anyone that likes either of the main actors (Wiiliam Devane or Tommy Lee Jones), high class violence, or revenge films will enjoy this movie.

The Nude Vampire is a 1970 France horror by Jean Rollin. With Maurice Lemaître and Caroline Cartier. See IMDb

US: uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US Online Rent or Buy [US only] at US Amazon
• US 2012 Redemption Re-mastered R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012
• US 2012 Redemption Re-mastered R1 DVD at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012
• US 2007 Redemption R1 DVD

At the BBFC

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2005 Redemption R0 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 1993 Redemption VHS

Previously passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1972 cinema release

Summary Review: Sloooooow

There's not a lot of nudity here at all. Instead of erotic lesbian vampires with no clothes on; we've got a cumbersome plot about a man who wants to unlock the secret to immortality.

The usual Rollin problems...which are: The subject matter would usually lend for a visual feast. However Jean Rollin manages to be an ultimate bore when it comes down to the cinematography in this production.

The editing is sloooooow. Do we really need to see a guy walk across a field until he disappears into the horizon? In an end sequence maybe, however not in the middle of a story that already tends to induce sleep.

Funhouse is a 1981 US horror by Tobe Hooper. With Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson and Jeanne Austin. See IMDb

Passed 15 uncut for moderate horror, sex, violence and threat for:

• UK 2001 ArrowDrome R2 DVD  at UK Amazon released today on 30th January 2012
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2007 Freemantlemedia/Arrow R2 DVD

Video Nasty

Previously it was surprisingly labelled as a video nasty. It was added to the DPP list of video nasties in September 1984 but was dropped in June 1985. It is not a particularly violent film and it has been suggested that the video appears on the list due to a confusion with another film Last House on Dead End Street that is also known as The Fun House.

DVD Extras

From promotional material:

Something is Alive in the Funhouse

The carnival is a place for fun and laughter, but not for Amy and her friends. When their childish dare to stay all night in the spooky funhouse backfires, it leaves a trail of dismembered teenagers a mile long in Tobe Hooper's classic video nasty era slasher.

Will anyone escape the clutches of the stumbling madman that stalks to sideshow? Is there no end to the carnival barkers chilling sadism? The only way to find out is ascend into the funhouse, where the games have no rules and the only prize on offer is a grisly demise.

Join us in The Funhouse. So much fun that you'll never leave...Alive!

Arrowdrome is a fleapit selected library of cult films; violent, horrific, sleazy, exploitative.

DVD Extras:

• a reversible sleeve of original artwork

• a collector's booklet by author Kim Newman!

• an interview with director Tobe Hooper

• trailer

Fascination is a 1979 France horror by Jean Rollin. With Franca Mai & Brigitte Lahaie. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Redemption Re-mastered Edition R0 Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012
• US 2012 Redemption Re-mastered Edition R1 DVD at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012

At the BBFC

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2002 Redemption DVD via UK Amazon
• UK 1994 Redemption VHS

Passed uncut but some versions omit 1:25s of the opening credits featuring 2 girls dancing on a bridge.

Summary Review: Stunning Visuals

This erotic horror film, set in 1916, tells the story of a thief who seeks refuge in a castle owned by two women,

The opening scene is classic and the film delivers many memorable scenes from start to finish. Plot and characterisation don't take up much time in the film, its more of a work of art than a conventional vampire tale. There isn't even all that much bloodletting, just enough to stop things being anaemic. In place of gore there's some fine eroticism and stunning visuals and its a fair trade.

No Blade of Grass is a 1975 US Sci-Fi drama by Cornel Wilde. With Nigel Davenport, Jean Wallace and John Hamill. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Warner R0 DVD-R at US Amazon just released on 25th January 2012

Cut in Britain

The film was last released in Britain when it was passed 15 after 1:20s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1987 MGM VHS

From IMDB:

• 1:20s cut from the rape scene

Previously it was passed AA (14) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1970 cinema release

From IMDB:

• Cut for category by over 15:00s to remove scenes of sex and violence

Summary Review: Bleak

When a deadly virus strikes London, John Custane takes his family to hoped-for safety in Scotland.

The message is ham-fisted the look is very 1970, and some odd soundtrack choices were made, but it's a bleak film about the collapse of civilization. But the story's premise is completely plausible and the violence gives depth to the plot and characters.

The House on Sorority Row is a 1983 US slasher by Mark Rosman. With Kate McNeil, Eileen Davidson and Janis Ward. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Scorpion Katrina's Nightmare Theatre R0 DVD at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012

Promotional Material:

The new release is created from a brand new HD master, with 2 disc worth of extras, featuring Katarina Leigh Waters.

Disc 1

• Watch this in Katarina s Nightmare Theater format with our hostess Katarina Leigh Waters or play feature only
• Brand New 16x9 (1:78) HD master from the original IN
• Brand New audio commentary with Director Mark Rosman moderated by Katarina Leigh Waters
• Bonus commentary with Stars Kate McNeil, Eileen Davidson and director Mark Rosman
• On camera interview with co-star Harley Jane Kozak
• 3 TV spots theatrical Trailers Storyboard Comparisons Photo Gallery alternate ending

Disc 2

• On camera interview with star Kate McNeil conducted by Katarina Leigh Waters
• On camera interview with star Eileen Davidson conducted by Katarina Leigh Water
• On camera interview with Director Mark Rosman conducted by Katarina Leigh Waters
• On camera interview with composer Richard Band
• On camera interview with co-producer Igo Kantor

At the BBFC

UK: Passed 18 uncut after previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2007 Boulevard R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2002 Hollywood R0 DVD

Previously passed 18 after 3s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1986 Apex VHS titled House of Evil

The BBFC cuts were:

• Omits a short scene after the attack on Jeanie, in which Katherine goes to look for Peter and finds him standing by the piano.
• The UK version of the film cuts out two shots to Vicki's murder, the cane in the back and the cane in the eye. The UK version shows shots of childrens' toys at the end of the film, whereas the US version ends immediately after the killer's eyes open.

Summary Review: Classic slasher

After a seemingly innocent prank goes horribly wrong, a group of sorority sisters are stalked and murdered one by one in their sorority house while throwing a party to celebrate their graduation.

The House On Sorority Row is a classic horror film. The acting was not that bad at all, and the directing was solid. This is a fave of mine. If you're a fan of 80's horror you will love this classic.

Other reviewers are not so impressed and rate it as moderate.

The Shiver of the Vampires is a 1971 France horror film by Jean Rollin. With Sandra Julien, Jean-Marie Durand and Jacques Robiolles. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2012 Kino/Redemption RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012
• US 2012 Kino/Redemption R1 DVD at US Amazon just released on 24th January 2012
• US 1999 Image/Redemption R0 DVD

At the BBFC

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2007 Redemption R2 DVD via UK Amazon
• UK 2004 Redemption R0 DVD
• UK 1993 Redemption VHS

A Very short version was passed X (18) without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1971 cinema release titled Sex and the Vampire

Summary Review: Visionary vampire film

A young honeymooning couple stop for the night at an ancient castle. Unbeknownst to them, the castle is home to a horde of vampires, who have their own plans for the couple.

No one makes movies like Jean Rollin, and this is his masterpiece. Like most of his visions it seems to be about innocence and corruption, the attraction Evil has to Good, (and vice versa,) and the discovery of beauty in the unlikeliest of places.

This movie is very sexy, very slow, very weird. The music, lighting, absurd dialogue, and slow pacing help create a more poetic and imagistic type of film than we're used to here in the go-go States.

The Big Boss is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts film by Wei Lo. With Bruce Lee, Maria Yi and James Tien. See IMDb

An extended version was passed 18 with previous cuts waived for:

• UK 2012 Cine-Asia Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD at UK Amazon just released on 23rd January 2012
• UK 2006 Medusa/Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD
• UK 2003 Medusa/Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD
• UK 2000 Medusa/E1 R2 DVD

Previously Cut

Previously passed 18 after 8s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2005 Universal R2 DVD
• UK 1986 Rank VHS
• UK 1974 cinema release.

From IMDb:

• Heavy edits to the chain fight
• removed shots of ice picks and knives being thrown into chests
• kicks and blows during fight scenes.

DVD Features

• Digitally re-mastered and restored from a High Definition Transfer
• 2:35:1 Anamorphic version enhanced for widescreen TV's
• Dolby Stereo & Original Mono Audio Tracks (Cantonese and English)
• Dual Language Format (Cantonese and English)
• Feature Length Audio Commentary with Bruce Lee expert Andrew Staton and Will Johnston
• Promotional Gallery
• UK Platinum Trailer
• UK Promotional Trailer
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Hong Kong Promotional Trailer
• Rare Uncut 8mm Trailer
• Original 35mm Title Sequence
• Textless 35mm Title Sequence
• Original Lobby Cards
• The History of The Big Boss: A Photographic Retrospective
• Deleted Scenes Examined: The Story of the Elusive Uncut Print
• Bruce Lee Biography
• Paul Heller: Breaking The West
• Fred Weintraub: A Rising Star
• Tom Kuhn: What Might Have Been

Summary Review: Broken Oath of Non-Violence

A young man sworn to an oath of non-violence works with his cousins in an ice factory where they mysteriously begin to disappear.

As one might expect, the whole movie is an excuse to show off Bruce Lee's moves, and they do a great job with it. There's not much in the way of an actual plot. They get straight down to the martial arts. Probably Bruce's most violent and bloody film.

Game of Death is a 1978 Hong Kong film by Robert Clouse. With Bruce Lee, Gig Young and Colleen Camp. See IMDb

UK: Passed 18 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived:

• UK 2012 Cine-Asia Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today on 23rd January 2012
• UK 2003 Medusa/E1 Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD via UK Amazon
• UK 2001 Medusa/E1 Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD

Previously Cut

Previously a version pre-cut by 3:59s was further cut by 2s by the BBFC for:

• UK 2005 Universal DVD
• UK 1997 4 Front VHS
• UK 1996 Blue Chip VHS
• UK 1986 Rank VHS

Missing was the sight of nunchuks. Comparison of the UK Rank video and a Video-CD from Malaysia reveals that an entire 4 minute fight scene has been substituted. Late on in the film the Chinese version shows a nunchucks fight between Bruce Lee and a villain dressed all in black. In the Rank Video, this is replaced with a far less savage battle between Bruce Lee and a different guy dressed all in white with no nunchucks to be seen.

DVD Features

• Digitally re-mastered and restored DVD transfer
• 2:35:1 Anamorphic version enhanced for widescreen TV's
• Feature length audio commentary with Bey Logan
• Dolby Digital 5.1 English audio
• Bruce Lee trailer archive
• Deleted scenes from 1978 edition
• Rare photo archive (including production stills, posters and original lobby card artwork)
• Legacy of the Dragon (exclusive documentary on Bruce Lee and the Game of Death phenomenon)
• History of Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's fighting art)
• Biography showcase for principal stars
• Game of Death Re-visited featurette
• 40 minute edit of the original Game of Death footage in accordance with Bruce Lee's script notes
• Dan Inosanto Jeet Kune Do Seminar
• Game of Death Retrospective
• Interview Gallery
• Fully Animated Menus

Summary Review: A Fitting Tribute

A martial arts movie star must fake his death to find the people who are trying to kill him.

Game of Death, a Frankenstein concoction of bits and peices of Bruce Lee's final performance in a movie originally shot in 1972-73 and a later film shot in 1978 after Lee's death is really two movies in one.

The first, a crime/revenge caper helmed by Robert Clouse is not as bad as you may have heard. The scenes are intercut badly and Lee's many doubles do look bad, but as a movie on it's own merit it isn't that bad.

The Woman in Black is a 2012 UK/Canada/Sweden ghost story by James Watkins.
With Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer and Ciarán Hinds. See IMDb.

The film has been passed 12A after 6s of BBFC category cuts for intense supernatural threat and horror for:

• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to reduce moments of strong violence / horror in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in line with BBFC Guidelines and policy. A 15 classification without cuts was available.

Update: More

24th January 2012. See article from huffingtonpost.co.uk

The Huffington Post adds a little more detail without explaining:

Substitutions were also made by darkening some shots and by reducing the sound levels on others.

Australia After Dark is a 1975 Australia sex documentary by John D Lamond with Gina Allen and Count Copernicus. See IMDb

The US release featuring the Softcore Version is MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2012 Intervision R0 DVD at US Amazon released on 10th January 2012

IMDb reports that there is an Australian X version that runs at about 90:00s but there's no sign of any available version of this.

The film was last seen in the UK when the Softcore Version was passed X (18) after about 12:00s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1977 cinema release

Promotional material: Depraved underbelly of a land down-under

Producer/director John Lamond made his indelible debut with this mondo-style look at the depraved underbelly of a land down-under. It's an ultra-sleazy, full-frontal journey through the weird and the pathetic, the ugly, the obscene and the beautiful, featuring strippers, swingers, murderers, devil worshippers, nutty gurus, drunken aborigines, and much more.

From the back alleys of the big cities to the savage cruelty of the outback, discover a continent of pleasure, pain, erotic art, wriggling cuisine, tiny bikinis, alien landings, record-breaking beer consumption and insane amounts of 70s nudity, now fully restored from a print recently discovered in the cellar of the Lower Wonga Drive-In and presented uncut & uncensored for the first time ever in America.

Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary With Director John D. Lamond and "Not Quite Hollywood" Director Mark Hartley,

• John D. Lamond Trailer Reel.

Her Private Hell is a 1968 UK drama by Norman J Warren. With Lucia Modugno, Terence Skelton and Pearl Catlin. See IMDb

Presumably the cut UK Cinema version was passed 15 without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2012 BFI DVD/Blu-ray

The release includes 3 minutes of uncensored US alternative footage as extras. This is presumably the material cut for the UK cinema version.

Previously passed X (16) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1968 cinema release

Promotional Material:

The cautionary tale of an innocent girl abroad who gets caught up in the sleazy world of modelling, Her Private Hell was the debut feature of British exploitation director Norman J Warren (Satan's Slave, Prey and Terror) and the UK's first narrative sex film.

Beautiful but naive Marisa arrives from the continent for a job as a fashion model but soon discovers she's being groomed for a different purpose. Starring Italian actress Lucia Modugno (Il Generale della Rovere, Diabolik), the film ran for over a year in London and put Britain on the map in the realm of home grown adult features.

Extras Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition:

• Original Her Private Hell trailer.
• Alternative, uncensored US sequences (3 minutes).
• Screen Tests (4 minutes).
• Making Her Private Hell (15 minutes): new documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• Incident (Norman J Warren, 1959, 14 minutes): newly-created HD version of Warren's enigmatic first film.
• Fragment (Norman J warren, 1966, 11 minutes): exquisite short about a woman's unhappiness after a failed love affair.
• The Anatomy of a Pin-up (David Cohen, 1971, 30 minutes): modish documentary about attitudes to nude modelling in Britain.
• Fully illustrated booklet with new essays by Norman J Warren, David Cohen, Lynn Barber and Josephine Botting.

Savage Island is a 1985 Italy/US action drama by Nicholas Beardsley.
With Anthony Steffen, Ajita Wilson and Cristina Lay. See IMDb

This is actually a reworking of Hell Prison revamped for the US market with additional material featuring Linda Blair.

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Wizard Entertainment R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon recently released on 6th December 2011

Cut by the BBFC

In its only UK release it was passed 18 after 22s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1986 EIV VHS

Summary Review: Turkey

Women who have been captured and sold as slave labor to a South American emerald mine hatch a plan for revolution and revenge.

Rightfully atrocious. Hell Prison was an Italian-Spanish women-as-slaves-on-a-South-American-island-who-revolt thing, brought stateside in 1985, christened with a new title and spiced with fresh footage of Linda Blair as a vengeful ex-employee. Those looking for some hot nude scenes and/or violent confrontations between sexy women in loincloths are bound to be disappointed. But, alas, Linda is once again stuck in a turkey

Teenage Tramp is a 1973 US crime drama by Anton Holden.
With Alisha Fontaine, Anthony Massena and Robin Lane. See IMDb

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• US 2011 Code Red Maria's B-Movie Mayhem Double Bill R1 DVD at US Amazon

Cut in the UK

Last seen in the UK when it was passed 18 after 49s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1999 Double Vision VHS packaged as if it were a softcore sex film

Summary Review: A harrowing experience

Wayward and uninhibited young runaway Kim has fallen in with a bad crowd. Kim decides to flee said crowd and goes to the west coast to reunite herself with her uptight sister Hilary so she can collect some of the family inheritance. However, evil drug dealer Maury and his flock follow Kim to Hilary's house.

it is a rather unsettling look at clashing life styles in America, here depicted violently for the exploitation fans. It still carries a wallop.

All hell breaks loose when Kim (Alisha Fontaine) arrives on her sister's mansion doorstep.  The Film becomes a harrowing experience with the arrival of Manson-esque cult/gang leader Maury.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage is a 1969 Italian/West German thriller by Dario Argento with Tony Musante and Suzy Kendall. See IMDb

The Unrated Version was passed 15 uncut for:

• UK 2012 Arrow/ArrowDrome R0 at UK Amazon released today on 9th January 2012
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• UK 2011 Arrow R0 DVD at UK Amazon

Previously Cut

Previous UK releases were based on the cut US R Rated print that was further cut by the BBFC.

Goodies

• A reversible sleeve of original artwork
• Includes interview with director Dario Argento
• Booklet by Alan Jones author of Profondo Argento

Summary Review: Engrossing Mystery

This was Dario Argento's debut feature, a well-received thriller in which an American writer living in Rome (Tony Musante) witnesses an assault on a woman in an art gallery and is subsequently targeted by the would-be assassin, a crazed psychopath who's been terrorizing the city with a series of brutal murders.

It is a fairly straightforward thriller with horror asides, anchored by a strong narrative, an increasingly bizarre series of supporting characters, and a strong Everyman hero who slots the puzzle together piece by piece before realizing that the most important clue to the killer's identity was there in front of him all the time.

Producers were unconvinced of his directorial abilities and wanted to pull him off the picture during the first few weeks of shooting, but Argento persevered under an iron-clad contract and ultimately proved his critics wrong with the finished product, a genuinely engrossing mystery punctuated by scenes of explicit horror.

White Slave (aka Amazonia: the Catherine Miles Story) is a 1985 Italian adventure by Mario Gariazzo. With Elvire Audray, Will Gonzales and Dick Campbell. See IMDb

US: uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Wizard R1 DVD titled White Slave via UK Amazon and at US Amazon recently released on 6th December 2011

Cut in the UK

It was originally passed 18 after 52s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1987 Avatar VHS

Then it was passed 18 with some cuts waived for

• UK 2003 Pegasus DVD

Summary Review: Original

A young woman seeks vengeance and finds love when her parents are killed in the Amazon and she is taken prisoner by an indigenous tribe of headhunters.

I have almost all of the cannibal movies ever made and this is one of the most original.

A girl takes a boat voyage with her parents, aunt and uncle. Her parents are killed with blowguns. A tribe of natives takes the girl captive and a warrior takes a particular liking to her, but it is said he killed her parents.

The girl is modestly hot and topless through most of it. This is a must-see for fans of cannibals.

The Master is a 1992 Hong Kong/US action film by Hark Tsui. With Jet Li, Wah Yuen and Crystal Kwok. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut for strong violence after pervious BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2012 Cine-Asia R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 27th February 2012
• UK 2005 Contender/UK Hong Kong Legends Collectors Edition R2 DVD

Previously Cut

Passed 18 after 11s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1998 MIA VHS

The cuts were:

• Knuckledusters, chainsticks & butterfly knives just cannot be seen by those sensitive Brits. It doesn't really matter whether they are being used or not

DVD Features

• Digitally re-mastered & restored 16:9 Anamorphic version enhanced for widescreen TVs
• DVD Transfer created from a High Definition master
• Dual Language Format (English Dubbed and Cantonese with re-mastered English subtitles)
• SDH subtitle option
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Cantonese & English audio tracks
• Original Cantonese mono audio track
• Exclusive feature-length audio-commentary with Hong Kong film expert, Bey Logan
• The Master: an exclusive interview with prolific Kung Fu Legend, Yuen Wah
• Crystal Clear: an exclusive interview with leading lady, Crystal Kwok
• The Insider: an exclusive interview with stuntman and author, John Kreng
• Trailer Gallery

Summary Review: Jet Li comes to America

Uncle Tak, the old martial-arts master has problems with his former student Jonny who wants to kill his old master to show everyone who the real master is. Uncle Tak wants Jet Li, his best student, to come over from China to help. Jet is not familiar with the American way of life, but knows how to fight.

The film is played out mainly as comedy but is a bit slow and only really gets serious in the final 20 minutes. Jet Li is as good as he always is in the fight sequences.

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) is a 2011 Netherlands/UK horror by Tom Six.
With Laurence R Harvey and Ashlynn Yennie. See IMDb

The Uncut Version is available online for:

• 2011 Bounty Rental Streaming [UK+Australia only] at Bounty Films
• 2011 Bounty Download to Own [UK+Australia only] at Bounty Films

BBFC Cuts

Unbanned and passed 18 for very strong bloody violence and gore, and sexual violence after 2:37s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Bounty Blu-ray
• UK 2011 Bounty R2 DVD
• UK 2011 cinema release

See pictorial cuts details [discretion required] from movie-censorship.com

US Online Cuts

A pre-cut version is MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 IFC Online

See pictorial cuts details [discretion required] from movie-censorship.com:

• Missing shots of Martin's penis wrapped in sandpaper whilst masturbating
• Missing scene of Martin wrapping barbed wire around his penis and then raping the last girl in the chain.

Frankenhooker is a 1990 US comedy horror by Frank Henenlotter with James Lorinz and Joanne Ritchie. See IMDb

The Unrated Version/Director's Cut has just been passed 15 uncut for:

• UK 2011 Arrow R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon just released on 2nd January 2012

Previous Versions

Previously the Unrated Version/Director's Cut was passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2004 Optimum R2 DVD via UK Amazon
• UK 1992 Polygram VHS
• UK 1991 Sky TV broadcast
• UK 1990 Lazer VHS
• UK 1990 cinema release

The BBFC had already passed a 15 rated version back in 2000 for Synergy but this was the US R Rated version that is missing 1:45s:

• UK 2000 Synergy R0 DVD
• UK 2000 Synergy VHS

Promotional Material:

Finding a girl when you're a nerdy science geek can be hard. But what happens if that special someone dies in a bizarre gardening accident and it's all your fault?

Meet Jeffrey Franken. He's just killed the love of his life and now he's going to rebuild her... From the body parts of the dead streetwalkers who exploded when he introduced them to a lethal new drug -- Supercrack! Little does he know that a good recipe requires the correct ingredients. Jeffrey isn't putting his life back together; he's building... a FRANKENHOOKER!

From the twisted imagination of Frank Henenlotter (Basketcase) and starring James Lorinz (Street Trash), comes a movie that pays a loving tribute to the worst excesses of the American Grindhouse.

THIS EDITION CONTAINS:

• Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphries

• Double-sided fold-out artwork poster

• Exclusive collector's booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Calum Waddell

BLU-RAY CONTAINS:

• Brand New High Definition Transfer of the film (1080p)

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• UK exclusive audio commentary with director Frank Henenlotter and star James Lorinz

• UK exclusive introduction to the film by actor James Lorinz (1080p)

• Your Date's on a Plate: The Making of Frankenhooker: UK exclusive making of documentary featuring director Frank Henenlotter, star James Lorinz and special effects artist Gabe Bartalos (1080p)

• A personal UK exclusive tour of the Gabe Bartalos effects lab in Los Angeles, California (1080p)

• A Salad That Was Once Named Elizabeth: Patty Mullen Remembers Frankenhooker

• A Stitch In Time: The Make-Up Effects Of Frankenhooker

• Turning Tricks: Jennifer Delora Remembers Frankenhooker

• Original theatrical trailer

The Australian Classification Board has banned the upcoming computer game Syndicate. No doubt it would have qualified for an 18 rating, but as there isn't one then the game was banned.

The Australian censors justified their decision as follows:

In the Board's view this game warrants an 'RC' classification in accordance with rule 1(d):

Computer games that: are unsuitable for a minor to see or play will be Refused Classification.

The game contains violence that is high in impact and is therefore unsuitable for persons aged under 18 years to play.

The game is set in a futuristic dystopia where people have computer chips in their heads that allow them to interact with the "dataverse", It is a first person shooter with realistically rendered graphics. A player controls Kilo, an agent of one of the "Syndicates" (powerful corporations), as he moves through levels completing objectives such as rescuing Eurocorp employees and extracting chips from people's heads.

In order to complete the missions, a player has to engage in intense combat with swarms of enemy combatants who are clad in light armour. A variety of weapons is available and these often cause decapitation, dismemberment and gibbing during frenetic gunfights. For example, an intense sequence of violence commences when a player collects a "G290 minigun", which operates much like a Gatling gun. A player moves through a building rapidly firing at enemy combatants. Combatants take locational damage and can be explicitly dismembered, decapitated or bisected by the force of the gunfire. The depictions are accompanied by copious bloodspray and injuries are shown realistically and with detail, Flesh and bone are often exposed while arterial sprays of blood continue to spurt from wounds at regular intervals.

Similar injuries can be caused by many other weapons, including shotguns, high-calibre revolvers, sniper rifles, assault rifles, rocket launchers, laser guns and grenades.

The game also allows a player to repeatedly damage enemy combatants' corpses. This is shown in realistic depictions. For example, it is possible for a player to decapitate a corpse with a headshot before individually blowing off each of its limbs. Depending on the weapon used, it is also possible to bisect a corpse, with realistic ragdoll effects noted. The depictions are again accompanied by arterial sprays of blood and detailed injuries that include protruding bone.

Throughout the game, a player consistently encounters unarmed civilians and has the choice of whether to target them or riot. Civilians can be shot, accompanied by copious bloodspray, but it is not possible to decapitate or dismember them, whether they are alive or dead. Their corpses can still be targeted, resulting in bloodspray only. In single player mode, the game treats civilian deaths neutrally, but it is noted that in cooperative gameplay, points are awarded for civilian casualties.

In the opinion of the Board, the game contains intense sequences of violence which include detailed depictions of decapitation and dismemberment that are high in playing impact. The game also contains the ability to inflict repeated and realistic post mortem damage which exceeds strong in playing impact.

It is therefore unsuitable for a minor to see or play and is therefore Refused Classification.

Update: Meanwhile at the BBFC

24th December 2011.See article from bbfc.co.uk

The BBFC has passed Syndicate 18 uncut with the consumer advice: Contains strong bloody violence.

The game includes 1 hour of video or cut scenes.

Terror Eyes (aka Night School) is a 1981 US slasher by Ken Hughes.
With Leonard Mann, Rachel Ward and Drew Snyder. See IMDb

A new US release is Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2011 Warner R1 DVD-R via UK Amazon and at US Amazon recently released on 1st November 2011

Back in the UK

The film hasn't been seem in the UK for a long time now. It was last released with an 18 rating after 1:16s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Vipco VHS

• UK 1987 Guild VHS

The BBFC cuts were:

• stabbings and girls being threatened with knives during the changing room and cafe murders

Summary Review: Action over Suspense

A Boston police detective investigates a series of gruesome decapitations of various college coeds committed by a helmeted, black-leather clad serial killer which leads him to suspect a well known anthropology professor as well as his female live-in assistant.

A slasher flick with more action than horror. But the acting is above par as are the overall production values, and there isn't a lot of padding. There's also something of a story complete with characterization.

One could certainly do (much) worse in picking a slasher film from this era.

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) is a 2011 Netherlands/UK horror by Tom Six.
With Laurence R Harvey and Ashlynn Yennie. See IMDb

The Uncut Version is now finally available online for:

• 2011 Bounty Rental Streaming [UK+Australia only] at Bounty Films
• 2011 Bounty Download to Own [UK+Australia only] at Bounty Films

Update: About Human Centipede 2 at BountyFilms.com

From press release from cinemart-online.co.uk

Philadelphia based Breaking Glass Pictures is proud to announce the beta launch of it's new VOD platform Bountyfilms.com. Teaming with the Bounty films content library, Breaking Glass will be promoting some of the best independent content in the world, starting with the highly controversial Human Centipede 2 Uncut. This version is completely uncensored respecting Tom Six's original unadulterated masterpiece.

This is the first time that the ucut and uncencored version is available anywhere in the world for rental and legal download -- Exclusively from Bountyfilms.com.

Available in the UK and Australia, Bountyfilms.com aims to bring the best in cutting edge cinema straight to any device you want to view it on, be that you PC/MAC, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or almost any other device. With a range of purchase options and no contracts or minimum term, and best of all no DRM so you can watch your film anywhere at any time on any platform of your choice.

Cut Releases

UK: Temporarily banned

• Banned by the BBFC in June 2011.
• Unbanned by the BBFC in October 2011 after 2:37s of BBFC cuts

Australia: Temporarily banned

• Originally passed R18+ uncut by the Classification Board
• Banned on appeal by the Review Board in November 2011. The appeal was requested by NSW Attorney General, Greg Smith
• Unbanned by the Classification Board after 30s of cuts in December 2011

US: A pre-cut version is missing the barbed wire rape of the last girl in the chain. This is the version that has been available online for sometime now.

Summary Review: Sick Fantasy

Inspired by the fictional Dr. Heiter, disturbed loner Martin dreams of creating a 12-person centipede and sets out to realize his sick fantasy.

This is the type of movie you will either like or hate, I doubt there will be much in between. The film is quite shocking, but not the most outrageous of the genre.

Actor Laurence R Harvey is masterful as Martin yet doesn't utter a single word of dialogue.

Videodrome is a 1982 Canada Sci-Fi by David Cronenberg.
With James Woods, Deborah Harry and Sonja Smits. See IMDb

The cut R Rated Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2011 Universal R0 Blu-ray for release on 26th December 2011.
• UK 2002 Universal R2 DVD
• UK 1990 CIC VHS
• UK 1983 cinema release

The US cuts for an R Rating were:

1. During the screening of Max's (James Wood) Samurai Dreams video a shot of a dildo is very much shortened
2. The first appearance of the Videodrome programme is slighter shorter as it loses a glimpse of pubic hair and a female victim being strangled
3. The sequence in Harlan's (Peter Dvorsky) lab after the Rea King Show uses a toned down take of a woman being whipped.
4. Nickie's (Debbie Harry) ear piercing loses several shots; Max moving the needle across Nicki's body, Nicki's cry of 'God', the needle being pulled out of the ear, a close up of the other ear being pierced and a pan to reveal Max & Nicki making love afterwards.
5. The scene of Max shooting his second partner is slightly shortened.
6. The death of Convex (Les Carlson) does not show his innards briefly erupting.

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2010 Criterion RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• US 2004 Criterion R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

Summary Review: Surreal

A sleazy cable-TV programmer begins to see his life and the future of media spin out of control in a very unusual fashion when he acquires a new kind of programming for his station.

In Videodrome, James Woods plays a Canadian television entrepreneur, a man who provides material - usually suspect, often porn - for cable TV. In the course of his seedy research he finds a pirate broadcast of a strange, compelling programme. The torture and masochism he glimpses as the programme hisses and breaks up is ... well, it looks real. Or is it just incredibly well made, with the interference and fluctuating picture quality just an example of good engineering and clever directing, simulating clandestine status to give the show a bit of edge?

A disturbing, thought-provoking, hugely entertaining film. If you enjoy the unusual, if you appreciate the surreal, if you like to be challenged and explore irony, this may be a movie you'll love.

Death Wish II is 1982 US vigilante film by Michael Winner. With Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland and Vincent Gardenia. See IMDb

Presumably the cut US R Rated Version has just been passed 18 for strong sexual violence without further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2012 Medis Sales/Final Cut R2 DVD

The BBFC commented:

• This is a pre-cut US version of the film. Both rape scenes have been substantially reduced and re-edited prior to submission to the BBFC.

The R-rated US version has cut both the rape scenes:

• While only the more violent aspects of the maid's rape scene were cut,
• the daughter's rape scene (where she did not resist) was almost entirely cut except for the last few seconds.
• Also the daughter afterwards is shown jumping out the window but the US version cuts out the part where she gets impaled on a fence.

2006 Release

This may be a 27s improvement on the previous UK releases.

The cut US R Rated Version was passed 18 after 27s of further BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2006 MGM R2 DVD

The BBFC commented:

• Cuts were required to remove scenes of sexual and sexualised violence.

The overall cut is still a heavily cut version similar to all UK releases to date where the BBFC cut 3:42s from the uncut version without the interim intervention of the MPAA.

Intruder is a 1988 US crime film by Scott Spiegel with Elizabeth Cox and Renée Estevez. See IMDb

The US release featuring the Director's Cut is MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Synapse R0 Blu-ray+DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon for release today, 13th December 2011

Meanwhile in the UK

In the UK the Director's Cut was passed 18 with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2003 International Trading/Screen Entertainment R2 DVD via UK Amazon

The film was previously cut in the UK. The Director's Cut was passed 18 after 1:53s of BBFC cuts for

• UK 1989 Colorbox VHS

See pictorial cuts details from movie-censorship.com:

• The murder of Danny is missing a shot of a skewer in his eye and his quivering impaled body.
• The murder of Tim is missing shots of a knife in his gut, his pain wracked face and shots of blood splattering onto beer cans.
• Bob's murder is totally cut. His head being squashed in a machine press was way too much for the censor.
• Randy's murder is missing a shot of him hanging by a hook through his neck.
• Dave's murder was totally cut. Again his heady being cut in half by a machine saw was too much for the censor at the time.
• Further shots of Randy's hanging body were cut
• Dave's messed up head in a fridge was reduced to a brief shot
• Several hits are missing when Craig uses a cleaver on Bill, slicing into his hand and head.

Summary Review: Surprisingly good

Surprisingly good stalk 'n' slash movie from Scott Speigel (long time associate of director Sam Raimi) was probably the last true slasher flick of the '80's.

Grocery store workers are set to do the night shift when an uninvited guest drops in and the employees begin to be butchered.

An effective dark sense of humor, stylish camera work, and eye-popping gore FX uplifts this movie above the normal slasher fair. The cast isn't half bad, some even make for some quirky characters.

All around Intruder makes for great fun for the slasher fans, exactly how this gem managed to escape me for so long I don't know! Not for the faint of heart.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a 2001 US/UK fantasy film by Chris Columbus with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Richard Harris. See IMDb

The Extended Version/Extended Cut was passed PG uncut for mild scary scenes, violence and language for:

• UK 2011 Warner Online
• UK 2011 Warner Ultimate Edition (Theatrical+Extended on DVD, Theatrical on Blu-ray) R0 DVD/Blu-ray Combo at UK Amazon recently released on 21st November 2011

The Extended Version has an additional 7 minutes of deleted scenes reinserted originally for a US TV showing. See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com

Death Wish 3 is a 1985 US vigilante film by Michael Winner with Charles Bronson, Deborah Raffin and Ed Lauter. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut with BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2012 Media Sales/Final Cut R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release on 13th February 2012
• UK 2006 MGM DVD which was never actually released

Before that it was passed 18 after 13s of BBFC cuts for :

• UK 1986 Guild VHS

See pictorial cuts details from movie-censorship.com

• The rape on the woman who Paul had saved in the parking lot is missing 6s and also the sight of bare breasts
• A topless black woman being dragged out of a window is missing. Then a little later there is a shot of her continuing to resist the same thugs

Summary Review: Entertaining

Paul Kersey, New York architect and part-time vigilante, comes to LA to visit an old friend. Instead, he must avenge his death by fighting youth gangs.

Death Wish 3 is a very different film to it's predecessors, whereas the first two movies were powerful urban drama's about how a man can be driven over the edge as a result of violence this instalment goes all out as an action movie and disregards the social commentary for the most part.

Whereas in the previous film's Bronson was hunting down muggers and rapists and disposing of them with his pistol in Death Wish 3 he gets hold of a gattling gun and buys a magnum and a military issue rocket launcher and lays waste to the scum of society by the bulk load. It might not be as realistic but it's damn entertaining and is by far my favourite of the Death Wish sequels.

Don't Open Till Christmas is a 1985 UK slasher by Edmund Purdom with Edmund Purdom and Alan Lake. See IMDb

The US release is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2011 Mondo Macabro R0 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon for release on 6th December 2011

Slashed in the UK

In the UK the film was suitable slashed by the censors when it was passed 18 after 2:13s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1985 Vestron VHS

The following scenes were cut:

• the killer running a cut throat razor over Pat Astley's naked body twice to establish she is a girl;
• the peep show santa being stabbed, spitting blood and shots of blood splashing on the peep show girl's window;
• in the London dungeon scene a doomed Santa originally came across a blood splattered body (possibly a mannequin). His subsequent death by stabbing has been reduced as well;
• the undercover cop Santa's death is now totally incoherent: in the full version the killer (who has a spike in his shoe) kicks him in the groin, punches him in the face with a spiked glove then punches his throat with the glove. A second Santa (played by screenwriter Derek Ford) comes to his aid and loses an eyeball in the process. All that remains of this sequence in the British version is a shot of the spiked shoe and brief shots of the first punch and the cop Santa on the floor
• due to an editing fault, in the UK video shots of a dead body on a trapdoor are missing replaced by a brief moment from the next scene;
• the infamous scene where Santa is castrated in a public toilet is missing several shots of blood spurting in the urinal;
• the scene where the killer kidnaps the peep show girl (Kelly Baker) is missing shots of her being tied up with chains
• Belinda Mayne's character being stabbed twice has been deleted

The film did get a better release when a re-edited Version passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2003 Film 2000 R2 DVD

However this "re-edited version" was missing a violent scene at 14m 42s showing a "drunken" Santa having his brains blown out. This 23s scene has now been replaced by a completely different scene showing a Santa being castrated. This 85s scene which takes place in a shopping centre should have appeared in the film at 61m 31s.

Summary Review: A certain charm

It's Christmas-time in London, and someone is killing people dressed as Santa Claus. The murderer is a plainclothes sicky who hunts down St. Nick impersonators, bumping them off in grizzly ways including impalement and urinal-side castration! 

The film has a certain charm.... and some beautiful naked women. It's a fantastic 80's slasher film

Two of the films have previously been cut by the BBFC

Roger Corman's Cult Classics Triple Feature, Lethal Ladies Collection is uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• US 2011 Shout! Factor R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon recently released on 25th October 2011.

Firecracker doesn't seem to have had any form of UK release.

TNT Jackson is a 1974 US/Philippines action film by Cirio H Santiago with Jeannie Bell, Chiquito and Stan Shaw. See IMDb

Passed 18 uncut for strong violence and nudity after BBFC cuts were waived for:

• UK 2007 Pickwick/Elstree Hill R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• UK 2004 Waterfall R2 DVD

Previously it was passed 18 after 30s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1996 RTM/Superfly VHS

Presumably the butterfly knife sequence was the casualty of the BBFC.

Summary Review: Topless kung-fu

Jeannie Bell is TNT Jackson! She's on the trail of the scum-suckin' pigs who killed her brother! Watch out! TNT's not just beautiful, she's a martial arts master with vengeance on her mind!

Yes, this movie does contain our heroine's topless kung-fu battle! There is a nice butterfly-knife sequence that was presumably cut by UK censor and enough nudity and charm to make things bearable. Not bad...

Too Hot to Handle is a 1977 US/Philippines action drama by Don Schain with Cheri Caffaro, Aharon Ipalé and Vic Diaz. See IMDb

It was last seen in the UK when it was passed X (18) after substantial BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1977 cinema release titled Too Hot to Handle
• UK 1977 cinema release titled She's Too Hot to Handle

Summary Review: Sexy Adventure

Sexy adventure film has international hit lady Cheri Caffaro involved in James Bondish escapades in Manila. She accepts a mission to kill a group of gangsters in the Philippines, but problems arise when she falls for the detective investigating the murders.

Caffaro is very sexy in an aggressive sort of way, and the director eroticizes the violence (Caffaro is virtually turned on by pain and death). That is quite a daring thing for a movie to do, and the people here deserve some credit for even attempting it. The climax of the film is surprisingly suspenseful.