News: Latest Cuts

The Telephone Book is a 1971 USA comedy by Nelson Lyon.
With Margaret Brewster, Roger C. Carmel, David Dozer.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2013 Vinegar Syndrome RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 7th May 2013

Reviews

• See review from strangethingsarehappening.com : "Can now be seen as a fascinating time capsule, hailing from the time just before X-rated movies went hard"

Banned in the UK

UK: Banned by the BBFC for:

• UK 1971 cinema release

Not released since the ban

Summary Review: Underground

The story of a day in the life of a lonely, sensitive, exuberant, attractive, young woman. Her exploits, encounters, and frustrations as she attempts to find a special someone, a caller who has class , as she puts it.

Funny, near brilliant, underground movie about the sexual perversions of everyday people. A terrific example of grass roots filmmaking were the creativity and ingenuity of the director.

Promotional Material

 

A major, though forgotten, work from New York's underground film scene of the late 60s and early 70s, Nelson Lyon's The Telephone Book tells the story of a sex-obsessed hippie who falls in love with the world's greatest obscene phone caller and embarks on a quest to find him. Her journey introduces to her to an avant-garde stag filmmaker, a manipulative psychiatrist, a bored lesbian housewife, and more. Photographed in high-contrast black-and-white, and punctuated with a remarkable, surreal animated sequence, The Telephone Book is one of the greatest cult films you've probably never heard of.

Special Features:

• Commentary track with Producer Merv Bloch
• Original Music Soundtrack
• Photo Still Gallery
• Theatrical Trailers

Black Sabbath is a 1963 Italy/UK/France horror by Mario Bava.
With Michèle Mercier, Lidia Alfonsi, Boris Karloff.

UK: Passed 15 uncut for moderate sexualised threat and violence for:

• UK 2013 Arrow RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon r eleased on 13th May 2013

Reviews

• See review from cine-vue.com : "Mario Bava's playful portmanteau piece'
• See review from strangethingsarehappening.com : " A great film in either version "

Promotional Material

Black Sunday was such a huge hit that a follow-up was swiftly demanded, and horror maestro Mario Bava duly devised this three-part horror anthology blending modern and period stories.

In the giallo-style The Telephone , a woman is terrorised by her former pimp after his escape from prison, and tries to escape him with the help of her lesbian lover, who has a dark secret of her own. In the Victorian-era The Drop of Water , a nurse steals a ring from the corpse of a dead spiritualist, which naturally tries to get it back. But it s the 19th-century Russian story The Wurdalak that comes closest to Bava s earlier classic, with the great Boris Karloff as a much-loved paterfamilias who might not be entirely what he seems.

Bava's direction is as stylish as ever, and Black Sabbath is almost a compendium of his favourite themes.

Features:

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of two versions of the film; I tre volti della paura the European version with score by Roberto Nicolosi & Black Sabbath the re-edited and re-dubbed AIP version with Les Baxter score, on home video for the first time
• English SDH subtitles for English Audio and a new English subtitle translation of the Italian audio
• Audio Commentary with Bava biographer and expert Tim Lucas
• Introduction to the film by author and critic Alan Jones
• A Life In Film An Interview with star Mark Damon
• Three Faces of Black Sabbath A comparison of the different versions of the film
• International Trailer
• US Trailer
• Italian Trailer
• TV and Radio Spots
• Collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic David Cairns and a substantial interview with AIP Producer Samuel Z. Arkoff on his experiences of working with Bava, conducted by Tim Lucas, illustrated with original stills and posters

The Demon Doctor is a 1962 Spain/France horror thriller by Jesús Franco.
With Conrado San Martín, Diana Lorys, Howard Vernon.

Germany: Uncut for:

• 2013 ELEA-Media Limited Edition R2 DVD via UK Amazon [English audio] released on 15th April 2013

Censorship History

The film was widely distributed in a cut European Version.

The BBFC further cut the European Version by 37s. The BBFC commented: Cuts required to protracted scenes of sexualised violence against women

The uncut version turned up on German DVD in 2013 and it runs about 10 minutes longer the the European Version.

Summary Notes: Classic

Dr. Orlof, a former prison doctor, abducts beautiful women from nightclubs and tries to use their skin to repair his daughter's fire-scarred face. He is assisted by Morpho, a deformed monstrosity who delights in biting his victims. However a young police inspector and his ballerina girlfriend are onto his sadistic practices.

In the European version, there's a few [breast] shots here and there. Hysterically awful at times but so lovable as a relic of a bygone genre. The music is a cacophonus clanging that just adds to the lurid aura of Morpho stalking the women as his master waits nearby. Delicious b&w photography is preserved wonderfully on DVD.

This movie is a CLASSIC of its genre and a must have for collectors.

Update: Spanish Version

15th May 2013. Thanks to Ramsey

It seems that this longer version of The Awful Dr Orlof recently turned up in a Spanish release.

This has been reworked for the German DVD by using the English audio and German subtitles from the existing version for about 82 minutes of the film. However for the additional 11 minutes of new material, the original Spanish audio has been retained. It is not clear about subtitles for this extra material. Maybe none or maybe German.

The examiner report for the 1982 cinema release of Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan notes that the film, with various explosions, deaths , was a likely A category.

However a scene in which Khan tortures two of the captured Enterprise crew, by placing lobster-like slugs in their ears, contained two shots which were almost X material. Hence an AA certificate was proposed for the uncut version of the film.

An A certificate would require the two shots to be cut - sight of the slugs crawling in to the ears and the shot of a slug crawling bloodily out of Chekhov's ear. The distributor U.I.P. opted to make the cuts and the film was passed A.

...Read the full article

Full Frontal is a 2002 USA comedy romance by Steven Soderbergh.
With David Duchovny, Nicky Katt, David Hyde Pierce.

US: The Extended Version is MPAA R rated (unconfirmed) for:

• US 2013 Miramax Echo Bridge [Extended + standard definition Theatrical] RA Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 7th May

The Blu-ray was pre-released in an exclusive deal with a US store and the Extended Version has failed to impress so far. This has left reviewers questioning why the Extended Version was preferred over the Theatrical Version for the high definition treatment.

Hands of the Ripper is a 1971 UK horror by Peter Sasdy.
Eric Porter, Angharad Rees and Jane Merrow.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2013 Synapse (RA) Blu-ray/(R1) DVD Combo at US Amazon released on 9th July

Censorship history
 

UK: Passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for 1971 cinema release. The BBFC cuts were to remove horror shots of Liz's eye gouged with pins - as she lies on the ground'

The cuts were later restored for VHS and DVD releases

US: So as to obtain an R rating, the murders of Long Liz and the housemaid were trimmed, notably the second stab wound on the latter.

Promotional Material

An infant girl watches in horror as her father, the infamous "Jack the Ripper", brutally murders her mother. Years later, young Anna (Angharad Rees) is now under the care of a fake psychic and has been forced into prostitution. At the end of a séance one evening, a woman is mysteriously killed. Dr. John Pritchard (Eric Porter) suspects Anna is the murderer but cannot understand how she could do this unspeakable act. Using new Freudian psychoanalysis techniques, Pritchard experiments on Anna and discovers a shocking secret. The spirit of the "Ripper" is alive and well, and may be possessing his own daughter! Can this evil be stopped before it's too late?

Completely restored in high-definition and released uncut for the first time on Blu-ray in the U.S., HANDS OF THE RIPPER is a film widely recognized as one of the most gruesome Hammer horror films ever made.

Features:

• THE DEVIL'S BLOODY PLAYTHING: POSSESSED BY HANDS OF THE RIPPER Featurette
• SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENCE: THE EVOLUTION OF HAMMER GORE -- Motion Still Gallery
• U.S. Television Introduction
• Original Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots
• HANDS OF THE RIPPER - Motion Still Gallery
• Isolated Music & Effects Audio Track

Deranged [Previous Cuts Waived] is a 1974 Canada/USA crime horror by Jeff Gillen and Alan Ormsby.
With Roberts Blossom, Cosette Lee, Leslie Carlson.

UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong violence with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2013 Arrow (RB) Blu-ray/(R2) DVD Combo at UK Amazon released on 12th August 2013

Censorship History

UK 1975: Passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for UK 1975 cinema release

UK 1998: Passed 18 after 18s of BBFC cuts for UK 1998 Exploited VHS. Cut to remove shots of bloodstained breasts from the gutting of a woman's body during the climax of the film.

US: The cut US R Rated version omits a scene of Ezzra Cobb scooping out a corpse's brains with an ice cream scoop.

Promotional Material

Real-life Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein inspired many distinguished films, including Psycho , The Silence of the Lambs and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , but none is quite as disturbing as Deranged .

Roberts Blossom gives an alarmingly convincing performance as rural eccentric Ezra Cobb, whose mother's death unhinges him to the point where he not only lovingly preserves her corpse in the living room but also goes out to find 'friends' to keep her company not all of whom are dead when he finds them! Perversely, Ezra's more worried about what mother would say about his various activities than he is about the prospect of being found out. Indeed, like Gein, he's cheerfully open about his activities when visiting friends, but no-one believes him.

Like Carnival of Souls and The Honeymoon Killers , this is one of American horror cinema's great one-offs, an eerie, genuinely unsettling but also darkly comic experience.

Special Features:

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the unrated version, featuring the infamous brain-scooping scene , available uncut in the UK for the first time!
• Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with special effects artist Tom Savini
• Introduction to the film by Savini
• A Blossoming Brilliance: Scott Spiegel ( Intruder, Evil Dead II ) speaks about Deranged star Roberts Blossom and the lasting legacy of this gore-soaked gem
• Ed Gein: From Murder to Movies - Laurence R. Harvey ( The Human Centipide II ) discusses the lurid legacy of the Wisconsin serial killer and the secrets of portraying a cinematic psychopath
• Original Trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
• Collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Stephen Thrower, author of Nightmare USA , and an archive interview with producer Bob Clark by Calum Waddell, illustrated with original archive stills and posters
• And more to be announced!

Night of the Scarecrow is a 1995 USA horror sci-fi by Jeff Burr.
With Elizabeth Barondes, John Mese, Stephen Root.

US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for:

• US 2013 Olive Films RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 30th April 2013
• US 2013 Olive Films R1 DVD at US Amazon released on 30th April 2013

UK Censorship History

UK: Passed 18 after 35s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1996 Polygram VHS

Not released since.

Summary Review: Underrated

A group of drunk teenagers accidently set free the spirit of a warlock, which possesses a scarecrow. The scarecrow goes on a bloody rampage killing the descendents of the men who had killed the warlock a century before.

This movie has grisly murders, a mediocre cast, an okay plot, and plenty of fun.

Vampire Lovers is a 1970 UK horror film by Roy Ward Baker.
With Ingrid Pitt, George Cole and Kate O'Mara.

US: MPAA Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• US 2013 Shout! Factory RA Blu-ray/ R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon released on 30th April 2013

Reviews

• See review from dvdtalk.com : "Tudor Gates' screenplay jams in a lot of skin and too many characters"
• See review from mcbastardsmausoleum.blogspot.com : "An entertaining erotic-vamp entry"

Censorship History

UK: Passed X (18) after 4s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1970 cinema release

From IMDb:

• Cuts during the opening decapitation scene.
• Cut to remove a brief 1 sec full-frontal nude shot of Ingrid Pitt getting out of a bath tub.
• Cuts to the sword beheading at the finale.

US: The US Theatrical Version suffered cuts beyond the UK cuts and was MPAA R Rated for:

• US Embassy VHS
• US cinema release

The US censors hacked out the nudity, but the film still qualified for an R rating for violence. The end result pleased nobody as it didn't end up widening the distribution and annoyed adults who were expecting the much talked about sexy version.

UK/US: The US 1998 Restoration is MPAA R rated and was passed 15 with BBFC cuts waived for:

• UK 2002 ILC Prime R2 DVD
• US 2000 MGM VHS

The existing material cut from the opening and closing beheadings was restored in 1998.  The alternate angle extending the opening beheading was either not found, or doesn't exist. The Ingrid Pitt nude scene remained cut.

UK/US: Passed 15 uncut and still R rated with the brief nude shots of Ingrid Pitt restored for:

• US 2013 Shout! Factory RA Blu-ray/ R1 DVD at US Amazon
• UK 2008 Optimum R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• US 2003 MGM Double Feature [with Countess Dracula] R1 DVD

Promotional Material

A female vampire with lesbian tendencies ravages the young girls and townsfolk of a peaceful hamlet in eighteenth century Europe who, years earlier, killed off her fellow vampires. A rousing hunt for the vampiress ensues as a group of men follow her bloody trail of terror through the countryside. Adapted from J. Sheridan Le Fanu's novella Carmilla, The Vampire Lovers stars Ingrid Pitt, George Cole and Peter Cushing.

Blood Simple. is a 1984 USA crime thriller by Joel Coen.
With John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya.

UK: The Restored Version or Director's Cut was passed 18 uncut for strong violence and language for:

• UK 2013 Studiocanal R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 15th April 2013

Reviews

• See review from sexgoremutants.co.uk : "Deliciously dark odyssey of double-crosses, betrayal and corpses that won't stay dead"
• See review from starburstmagazine.com : "Tight and rather old fashioned film noir did the art house circuit and managed to get the Coen brothers instant cult status"

From IMDb. For the 1998 restoration, the Coen brothers not only remixed and re-recorded new sound effects for the stereo soundtrack, but made some minor trims to various scenes and dialog:

• Maurice asking a bar patron at the jukebox what night it is and realizing it's "Yankee Night", he explains he's from Detroit, thus justifying his intervention of the patron's musical selection.
• Ray sticking his cigarette in the stuffed warthog's nose at Marty's house, and the following lines: RAY: You gonna leave all this stuff? ABBY: It's all Marty's.
• After Marty suggests to the P.I. the "incinerator" as a means of destroying the evidence of his proposed murder, the P.I.'s line: "Sweet Jesus, you're disgusting!" is deleted.
• A couple lines from the landlady showing Abby the studio apartment (mainly assuring her Abby won't be bothered at that location) before she starts yelling at her ex-brother-in-law, are deleted.
• As Marty opens his safe to retrieve the bounty money (and swap the photo) his line: "This is an illicit affair" has been removed, although he can still be seen mouthing it.
• When the P.I. shoots Marty, a couple shots are removed of Marty and the P.I. staring at each other after the gunshot.
• When Ray and Abby are discussing "what happened", in her studio apartment, and Ray feels cold enough to rise from his seat, the shot of him steadying the walrus piggy-bank is removed and his dialog is heard off-screen to cover this change.
• When Abby goes to see Maurice about her concerns, the scene cuts as soon as she enters. In the original version, the scene continues and she is seen inside his place and he pours a drink while assuring her that Marty is not dead, even though she is very worried that he is. Some of the dialog from inside the house is placed over the shot outside Maurice's door before Abby goes in, in the 1998 version.
• A new page of credits is added at the end, covering the restoration.

Promotional Material

The directorial debut from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, 1984 neo noir thriller, Blood Simple is a masterclass in film making.

Abby (Frances Mcdormand) is cheating on her bar owner husband, Marty (Dan Hedaya) with Ray (John Getz) one of the bartenders. Marty uncovers their sordid affair and is so enraged by their deceit that he hires Visser (M.Emmet Walsh), an unscrupulous detective, to kill both of them. Unbeknown to Marty, Visser has other, more lucrative plans of his own. So begins a calculating round of lies and deceit that build to a chilling, suspense filled climax.

A Good Day To Die Hard is a 2013 USA action thriller by John Moore.
With Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch.
The R rated Theatrical Version was cut for a 12A but restored to an uncut 15 for home video. There is also an Extended Version with a longer car chase.

UK: The Extended Cut was passed 15 uncut for strong language and violence for:

• UK 2013 [Theatrical + Extended] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 10th June 2013.

UK: The US Theatrical Version was passed 15 uncut for strong language and violence for:

• UK 2013 [Theatrical + Extended] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 10th June 2013.
• UK 2013 [Theatrical only] R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 10th June 2013.

There is also a US release

UK Censorship History

 

UK: Passed 12A for strong language and violence after advised category cuts were implemented for:

• UK 2013 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

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

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

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

The formal submission was consequently rated '12A'.

UK:  The US Theatrical Version was passed 15 uncut for strong language and violence for home video.
 

Promotional Material

Iconoclastic, take-no-prisoners cop John McClane, for the first time, finds himself on foreign soil after travelling to Moscow to help his wayward son Jack. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.

Special Features:

• Feature--Theatrical and on Blu-ray the Extended Versions
• Deleted Scenes
• Making It Hard To Die
• Anatomy of a Car Chase
• Two of a Kind
• Back In Action
• The New Face of Evil
• Pre-Vis Segments
• VFX Sequences
• Storyboards
• Concept Art Galleries
• Theatrical Trailers
• Audio Commentary by Director John Moore and First Assistant Director Mark Cotone
• Maximum McClane

Jack Reacher [Uncut Version] is a 2012 USA crime drama by Christopher McQuarrie.
With Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike and Richard Jenkins.

UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence and one use of strong language for:

• UK 2013 Paramount R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 22nd April 2013
• UK 2013 Paramount R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 22nd April 2013

There is also an uncut US release

Censorship History
 

UK: Passed 12A for moderate violence and one use of strong language after 2s of category BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2012 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Company chose to reduce two moments of violence:

• a woman being suffocated by a man and

• a man being hit over the head with a rock

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

UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence and one use of strong language for 2013 Paramount home video releases.

Promotional Material

Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) leaps off the pages of Lee Child's bestselling novel and onto the big screen in the explosive thriller that critics are calling a superior thriller [Total Film]. When five people are gunned down and all the evidence points to someone who swears he's innocent, only one man has the skills to take the true criminals out. The law has limits, but Jack Reacher doesn't in this full-throttle action smash hit.

US: Fifty Shades of de Sade is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• US 2013 Blue-Underground R0 DVD at US Amazon released on 23rd April 2013

UK Censorship History

Marquis de Sade's Justine is a1969 Italian horror by Jesus Franco.
With Klaus Kinski, Romina Power and Maria Rohm.

UK: A short version was passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1971 cinema release titled Justine and Juliet

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• UK 2002 Blue Underground R0 DVD

Justine de Sade is a 1972 France/Italy/Canada drama by Claude Pierson.
With Alice Arno, Yves Arcanel, Michel Bertay.

UK: A short version was passed 18 after 4:34s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1993 Atlantic VHS titled Violation of Justine

Promotional Material

Four controversial explorations of extreme sexuality based on the notorious works of the Marquis de Sade

MARQUIS DE SADE'S JUSTINE:
Romina Power (18-year-old daughter of Tyrone Power) stars as Justine, a nubile young virgin cast out of a French orphanage and thrust into a depraved world of prostitution, predatory lesbians, a fugitive murderess (Mercedes McCambridge), bondage, branding, and one supremely sadistic monk (an outrageous performance by Jack Palance). It's a twisted tale of strange desires, perverse pleasures and the ultimate corruption of innocence as told by the Marquis de Sade.

EUGENIE... THE STORY OF HER JOURNEY INTO PERVERSION:
Marie Liljedahl (the luscious star of INGA) is Eugenie, an innocent young woman taken to an island paradise where she is initiated into a world of pleasure and pain controlled by the sinister Dolmance (Christopher Lee). But when she surrenders to her own forbidden fantasies, Eugenie becomes trapped in a frenzy of drugs, sadomasochism and murder. Can a frightened girl in the grip of carnal perversion find sanctuary in the orgies of the depraved?

EUGENIE DE SADE:
Esteemed author Albert Radeck is the toast of the Berlin literati and the object of his stepdaughter Eugenie's affections. However, when his doe-eyed little darling unmasks her sophisticated father figure as a sex-crazed psychopath obsessed with perpetrating the perfect crime, she transforms from innocent ward to a willing accomplice. The deadly duo seduce and destroy everyone in their path - until Eugenie's charms spark a jealous rage in Albert that threatens to consume them both.

JUSTINE DE SADE:
Innocent orphan Therese seeks her fortune in a wicked world where no virtue goes unpunished. While she strives to preserve her precious "virtue," Therese finds every inch of her flawless form systematically sullied as she runs afoul of depraved young nobles whose hounds have a taste for human female flesh; a surgeon with a scalpel in one hand and a whip in the other; men of the cloth who keep their female flock shorn and branded with a red hot iron; and a Count whose concubines must give him their very blood! Will Therese finally learn "how delicious it is to be a whore?"

The Blood on Satan's Claw is a 1971 UK horror thriller by Piers Haggard.
With Patrick Wymark, Linda Hayden, Barry Andrews.

UK: Passed 18 uncut with cinema cuts waived for:

• UK 2013 Odeon RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 22nd April 2013

UK Censorship History
 

UK : Passed X (18) after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1970 cinema release

From IMDb. The BBFC cuts were:

• Edits to the rape scene
• Cuts to shots of a naked girl dancing in front of a knife-wielding boy

UK: Passed 18 uncut with cinema cuts waived for:

• UK 2004 Anchor Bay R2 DVD

Summary Review: Utterly compelling

Set in a remote village in 17th Century England, farm labourer Ralph Gower (Barry Andrews) accidentally stumbles across a devilish skull whilst ploughing a field. Ralph reports his findings to the Judge (Patrick Wymark) but when they return, the skull has vanished. Very soon the children of the village start acting strangely, led by Angel Blake (Linda Hayden) they form a murderous coven and when mysterious growths of hair (called the Devil's Skin) start appearing on their bodies, all hell breaks loose...... literally!

The film emerged from the legendary Tigon stable shortly after the brilliant Witchfinder General which, in many aspects, it resembles and to which it can be justifiably regarded as a companion piece. The judge/witchfinder superbly played by Patrick Wymark (Cromwell in Witchfinder General) in his final performance, is very much the hero.

The overall effect, though, is utterly compelling and, perhaps strangely given the grim subject matter, utterly beautiful. The camerawork, courtesy of the splendidly named Dick Bush, is the stuff of genius.

The star though, without a doubt, is the beautiful Linda Hayden, who plays the deliciously evil villainess Angel Blake, with an astonishing presence belying her tender age.

US: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

• US 2013 Shout! Factory [Battle Creek Brawl + City Hunter] RA Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 16th July
• US 2013 Shout! Factory [Battle Creek Brawl + City Hunter] R1 DVD at US Amazon released on 16th July

Battle Creek Brawl is a 1980 USA/Hong Kong action comedy by Robert Clouse.
With Jackie Chan, José Ferrer, Kristine DeBell.

UK Censorship History

UK : Passed AA after BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1980 cinema release

From IMDb. Cut to remove:

• groin kicks,
• a neck break and
• a double ear clap

UK: Passed 15 after 1-2s of BBFC cuts for:

• UK 2001 Medusa/Hong Kong Legends DVD
• UK 1987 VCI VHS

The BBFC explained:

• Cut required to sight of dangerous imitable technique (double ear clap) [From a fight between Iron Johnson and Fijo Atashi].

City Hunter is a 1993 Hong Kong/Japanese action film by Jing Wong
With Jackie Chan, Richard Norton and Joey Wang.

UK Censorship History

 

UK: A pre-cut version was passed 12 without BBFC cuts for:

• UK 1995 Imperial VHS

From IMDb:

• The song-and-dance sequence which made references to Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer and The New Kids on the Block was not subtitled on the US DVD. The UK dubbed version of the film cut the sequence out completely, confusing the viewer in regards to why the singers show up later in the film.

UK: A slightly pre-cut Theatrical Version was passed 12 without BBFC cuts for:

• 2001 Showbox/Cine Asia/Hong Kong Legends
• 2001 Medusa/Hong Kong Legends R2 DVD

The distributors deliberately mistranslated a joke about AIDS to ensure a 12 rating

All US/UK releases omit an inconsequentially extended (~20s) anime title sequence with a bit of product placement about a Nikon camera. Seems to be more or less an advert for the Japanese market

Promotional Material

Battle Creek Brawl: It's 1930 and Jerry Kwan (Jackie Chan) takes a trip to America seeking fame and fortune. Kwan's father is forced to pay the Mob but Jerry fights back and picks a fight with members of the mob. Seen as a potential, the mob kidnap's Jerry's sister-in-law and forces him to fight in the Battle Creek Brawl: an anything-goes martial arts competition!

City Hunter : While searching for the daughter of a Japanese publisher, private investigator Ryu Saeba (Jackie Chan) and his assistant Kaori find themselves caught in the middle of a cruise liner hijacked by American criminals and take passengers hostage!

Star Wars is a 1977 US space action film by George Lucas.
With Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

Great news for Star Wars fans this week as Disney announced that a new film in the series will be released each year from 2015 to 2019.

Today it is perhaps one of the most recognisable films in the world, but in June 1977 BBFC examiners sat down to watch Star Wars with little idea of the film's destiny.

There was some concern noted about the level of violence and one examiner points out that the film was awarded a PG by the MPAA in America. However the universal appeal and adventurous tone of Star Wars won the team over and the film was passed at U.

...Read the full article

Dead End Drive-In is a 1986 Australia action drama by Brian Trenchard-Smith.
With Ned Manning, Natalie McCurry and Peter Whitford.

UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong language, sex and violence after previous BBFC cuts were waived for:

• UK 2013 Arrow/ArrowDrome R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 15th April 2013

Reviews

• See review from realmofhorror-blog.blogspot.co.uk : "The film is rather ridiculous, but thoroughly enjoyable at the same time"
• See review from strangethingsarehappening.com : "While the film seems to revel in its trashiness, there's more going on in Dead End Drive-In than you might expect."

Censorship History
 

UK: Passed 18 after 16s of BBFC cuts for: ournal

 

• UK 1987 New World VHS

Summary review: Drive-In Lock-up

Society is going down the tubes and the authorities have the idea of keeping the kids locked up in drive-ins complete with junk food and 24 hour movies.

Generally enjoyed by most reviewers though noted for being a bit silly. But punks, violence, drugs and car chases keeps viewers interested

 

Promotional Material: The price of admission is the rest of your life...

From Ozploitation King Brian Trenchard-Smith (Turkey Shoot, Stuntrock) comes an Australian Grindhouse classic which pits the dregs of society against each other in a crazed battle featuring atomic punks, burnt out junkers and a totally corrupt police force.

In an apocalyptic future where crimes rates have spiralled out of control and the economy has permanently collapsed, those in charge have found a perfect solution to the rise of lawlessness... Lock away the undesirables, criminals and low down dirty scumbags in the old Drive-in movie theatres, now converted into violent concentration camps.

Now, two kids who thought they were only coming along to see the show are trapped by circumstance in the chaos of Dead End Drive-In, can they escape before they too become resigned to the crazed life in this hellhole like everybody else? . There's a party every day, a movie every night, and all the junk food you can eat. What more can a kid want... except to get out.

Also includes a collector's booklet