Garden Of Torment is a 1976 France drama by Christian Gion Starring Roger Van Hool, Jacqueline Kerry and Tony Taffin
Banned by the BBFC for 1976 cinema
release under the title Garden of Torture but passed X uncut the next year with the title Garden of Torment.
Summary Notes
In the 1930's a young doctor is forced to flee from Paris
because he is involved in a drug scandal. On his passage to China he meets a beautiful, eccentric woman. After their arrival in China, she introduces him into a circle of decadent Europeans which created a torture garden for their amusement. While the
bored imperial upper class is torturing the locals the revolution is rising.
Gate Of Flesh is a 1964 Japan drama by Seijun Suzuki Starring Jô Shishido, Kôji Wada and Yumiko Nogawa
Banned by the BBFC for 1968 cinema
release. Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for 2000 DVD.
Promotional material
In the shady black markets and bombed-out hovels of post?World War II Tokyo, a tough band of prostitutes eke out a
dog-eat-dog existence, maintaining tenuous friendships and a semblance of order in a world of chaos. But when a renegade ex-soldier stumbles into their midst, lusts and loyalties clash, with tragic results. With Gate of Flesh, visionary director Seijun
Suzuki delivers a whirlwind of social critique and pulp drama shot through with brilliant colors and raw emotions.
This very curious completely silent comedy includes some dramatic sequences and some fairly pornographic ones. The movie is made with titles, very much in the manner of early silent films.
Ginger is a 1971 USA crime drama by Don Schain.
With Cheri Caffaro, Duane Tucker and Herbert Kerr.
Banned by the BBFC for 1971 cinema release Passed 18 after 14:20s of BBFC cuts for 1983 cinema release Not released on UK home video
Summary Review
A rich society girl is recruited to go undercover and expose a drug/blackmail/prostitution ring in her small town.
This is pure 70s sexploitation. Yes it is
sexist, unPCand everything modern Hollywood tries not to be. But that's its charm. It is about cute women toting unfeasible weapons and getting naked in an unbelievable B-movie plot.
A Girl Called Jules is a 1970 France/Italy drama by Tonino Valerii. With Silvia Dionisio, Gianni Macchia and Esmeralda Ruspoli.
Banned by the BBFC for 1971 cinema
release. Unbanned for 1975 cinema release and uncut on home video.
Summary Review: Worth the effort.
Teen girl Jules must deal with her budding sexuality, and the fact that some men and women want
her adds to her confusion.
A distinctly Bergmanesque sexual melodrama. Silvia Dionisio is perfect in the title role and this remains her best film. A bit difficult to trace but well worth the effort.
Hells Angels on Wheels is a 1967 USA crime thriller by Richard Rush. Starring Adam Roarke, Jack Nicholson and Sabrina Scharf.
Banned by the BBFC for 1967 cinema
release. Unbanned after cuts for 1977 X rated cinema release. Massively cut for 18 rated 1988 VHS, and slightly less cut for 2005 15 rated DVD. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Notes: Classic
At first gas station attendant Poet is happy when the rockers gang "Hell's Angels" finally accepts him. But he's shocked when he learns how brutal they are - not even murder is a taboo to them. He gets himself in trouble
when the leader's girlfriend falls in love with him - and he welcomes her approaches.
Anyone with a more than curious interest in the Hells Angels will enjoy this piece of nostalgia. This is one of the few films to be
openly supported by the Hells Angels themselves.
While the story line may seem somewhat dated by modern standards, it does encompass what I feel to be some of the most classic aspects of the Angels lifestyle
of the time. A real treat for the biker movie buff.
The Horror of Party Beach is a 1964 USA musical horror by Del Tenney. Starring John Scott, Alice Lyon and Allan Laurel.
Initially banned by the BBFC for 1964
cinema release but later passed 'X' after cuts. Passed 12 uncut for 2004 DVD. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Notes
While the hot-rodders and motorcyclists are having a rock-and-roll beach
party, a barrel of radioactive material is unloaded from a passing ship, plunges to the bottom, and splits against a jagged rock. A black liquid oozes out and covers a shapeless mass on the ocean floor, which suddenly moves and becomes an encrusted
vicious monster. Soon there are several monsters who must have human blood to survive. Tina is the first victim, and football hero Hank Green and airhead Elaine Gavin enlist the aid of her science-professor father, Dr. Gavin, to find and capture the
killer. Not working fast enough to prevent the attack on 20 teenagers at a slumber party or the killing of three girl motorists, Dr. Gavin finds an arm lost by one of the monsters and discovers that only sodium will destroy the monsters, whose
composition is mostly water. Can they gather enough salt in southern California to put an end to this horror?
Horrors of Spider Island is a 1960 West Germany horror by Fritz Böttger (as Jaime Nolan). Starring Harald Maresch, Helga Franck and Alexander D'Arcy.
Started life in 1960 as an adults only
nudie, although it seems there was also a clothed version available. The UK cinema release was banned banned by the BBFC. 3 years later the film was cut down into a horror film for US release. This US Version was passed 12 by the BBFC for DVD release in
2012. The original uncut version was released on MPAA Unrated Blu-ray in 2020.
Summary Notes
En route to a show in Singapore, a troupe of beautiful dancers are stranded on a deserted
island by a plane crash. Their routine of skinny-dipping and devising new skimpy outfits is interrupted when a radioactive spider bites their manager and turns him into a wild-eyed, furry-faced monster with three fangs and a passion for strangling.
Continental Version/It's Hot in Paradise
Continental Version
run:
84m
pal:
81m
US: The Continental Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2020 Severin [Continental Version + US Version] RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
2020
Severin Amazon Prime VoD [US only] at US Amazon
Produced in 1960 as a notorious Adults Only feature throughout Europe (though banned in the UK), titled It's Hot in Paradise. Three years later and sheared of its nudity, it was repackaged for American audiences as Horrors of Spider Island, a
brain- melting monster movie filled with stripper-cat-fights, skimpy lingerie and radioactive arachnids.
Clothed Version
cut Clothed Version
cut:
run:
82:02s
pal:
78:45s
Germany
Germany: The German Version seems to be a clothed variant of the Continental Version
banned
UK:
Presumably it was the Clothed Version that was banned by the BBFC:
1960 cinema release
US Version
cut US Version
cut:
run:
77:52s
pal:
74:45s
UK: The US Version was passed 12 for moderate
sex references and infrequent nudity without further BBFC cuts:
2010 Archive Media Publishing R2 DVD
US: The Continental Version is MPAA Unrated for:
2020 Severin [Continental Version + US Version] RA Blu-ray at US Amazon
House on the Edge of the Park is a 1980 Italian horror thriller by Ruggero Deodato With David Hess and Annie Belle.
Banned by the BBFC for 1981 cinema release. Banned as a video nasty in 1983. Unbanned after 12 minutes of cuts in 2002. Cuts reduced to
43s in 2011, and then uncut for 2022 Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: Interesting yet Chilling
A couple of rapists Alex and Ricky who are invited to a rich person's party.
They decide to make their own cruel and twisted kind of fun such as murder and rape.
A harsh and unsettling Italian horror thriller from director Ruggero Deodato who definitely knows how to shock his audience.
The
acting isn't all that great but the music is good with a funky disco song, some gory violence with torture, nudity, and sleaze abound.
Versions
uncut
run:
91m
pal:
87m
UK: Passed 18 uncut for sexual violence, sadistic violence, strong threat:
2022 88 Films video
Set for Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray release in late 2022 in a release advertised as the Uncut Nasty Edition.
UK: Passed 18 for strong sexual violence and threat after 43s of BBFC cuts for:
2014 Shameless [Deadato's Cinema of Death set] R2 DVD
2011 Argent/Shameless R0 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Company was required to make cuts to one sequence of sexualised violence in which a razor is traced over a woman's naked body, after which her body is cut with the razor.
According to Shameless, the BBFC originally asked for 16 cuts totalling 1:20s. The BBFC was asked to think again, and it reduced the cuts by 37s, leaving 43s still cut.
The waived cut was 37s to the sex scene between Alex and Lisa which had
previously been cut due to the questionability of whether or not Lisa is enjoying her ordeal.
sight of razor being traced between woman's breasts.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breast and nipple.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breasts and nipples.
sight of razor being traced over woman's breast
and nipple and over her body.
sight of razor being traced over woman's stomach, with her breast visible.
sight of razor being eased inside woman's jeans.
As man approaches woman with razor blade, remove all sight of breast and
arm being slashed with razor.
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm.
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again).
all sight of razor cutting woman's breast and arm (again, for a third time).
close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals.
close sight of razor cutting woman's leg, next to her genitals (again).
sight of razor cutting down woman's body, between her breasts.
cut
cut:
11:43s
run:
79:15s
pal:
76:05s
UK: Passed 18 after 11:43s of BBFC cuts for:
2009 Cornerstone R2 DVD
2002 Protected/Vipco R2 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Cuts required to several sequences of sexual violence, humiliating depictions of female nudity and gross violence
From IMDb:
BBFC removed most of the rape and assault scenes
heavily edited the razor-slashing of Cindy
heavily edited the opening murder scene
removed shots of Tony's head being slammed against a table.
uncut
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
1982 Skyline VHS
Released in October 1982, it was listed as a video nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout the panic so became one of the collectable DPP39s
How Sweet It Is! is a 1978 USA adult fantasy by David Worth (as Sven Conrad). Starring Jon Roy Jones, Maggie Williams and Brigitte Maier.
Banned by the BBFC for 1982 cinema
release and not released since. Uncut in the US.
Summary Notes
A couple lies in bed and are turned on reading fantasy letters to a sexually oriented newspaper and the fantasies are acted out in
vignettes as they read. Finally we see them perform themselves. Ordinary 70s pornography but notable for the performance of 1974 Penthouse Cover Girl Brigitte Maier who appeared in several vignettes, which may have been edited in from 8mm loops done
earlier.
Versions
banned
UK: Banned by BBFC
1982 Taboo cinema release (rated 01/12/1982)
Mike Comments:
The running time of the complete version is only 64:16. It's a US hardcore film which contains so much hardcore that if the distributors had cut it for softcore before submission to the BBFC, they
would have been left with a 10 minute film which made no narrative sense and contained no sex. It's completely uncuttable. So I assume that this is one of the rare occasions where the BBFC were presented with a genuine hardcore film, at a time when
hardcore was completely illegal. Possibly the distributors (Taboo) weren't aware of the rules - they had no prior or subsequent history of releasing anything.
This film wouldn't pass intact today even at R18 level. There's a
somewhat troublesome sexual encounter between a man and a woman in which he encourages her to imagine that she's an 11-year old girl scout selling cookies. A few minutes later he tells us that he's thinking of himself as a baby wearing a diaper
How to Seduce a Virgin is a 1974 France erotic drama by Jesús Franco. With Alice Arno, Robert Woods and Howard Vernon.
Banned by the BBFC for cinema in 1974
and not released since. Released uncut in the US 2013
Promotional Material
The beautiful Countess Martine de Bressac is released from the expensive asylum where she was incarcerated after castrating
her former lover. She returns to her luxurious villa on the coast and goes at once down into her private underground dungeon. It's here that she indulges herself in the perverse sexual practices that give her life meaning, surrounded by the bizarre human
statues of her previous victims. Her husband, Charles, feeds his wife's sick fantasies, aware that she is his meal ticket to a life of luxury. He announces that he has a new game for her - they will befriend and seduce the young and virginal daughter of
a rich neighbor. But things do not go exactly as planned... Games of decadence and debauchery lead to mayhem and murder.
From cult director Jess Franco. His most outrageous film.
I, a Woman is a 1965 Denmark/Sweden drama by Mac Ahlberg. Starring Essy Persson, Preben Mahrt and Jørgen Reenberg.
Banned by the BBFC for 1967 cinema
release.
Summary Notes
Liv is a frankly sexual being. She finds herself in a series of sexual relationships with men who, she says, fall too much in love with her and become
oppressive. Finally she meets a man who is very much like her, but that brings its own problems.
I Love You, I Don't is a 1976 France drama by Serge Gainsbourg. With Jane Birkin, Joe Dallesandro and Hugues Quester.
Banned by the BBFC for its 1976 cinema release. Passed uncut for home video in 1993. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: Twisted Love Story
The petite waitress Johnny works and lives in a truck-stop, where she's lonely and longs for love. She develops a crush on the garbage truck driver Krassky, although her
sleazy boss Boris warns her that he's gay. Maybe because of her boyish looks, Krassky likes her too. Both don't notice the growing jealousy of Krassky's boyfriend Padovan - until an escalation.
I went in with high hopes and
wasn't disappointed. People familiar with Gainsbourg's body of work will know to expect to unexpected, what with his love for the surreal, bizarre and perverted.
The sex scenes are genuinely uncomfortable, but the two
stunningly beautiful leads are perfect for this twisted love story.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong sex and violence for:
2007 Optimum R2 DVD titled Je t'aime moi non plus at UK Amazon
Iguana with the Tongue of Fire is a Italy/France/West Germany giallo by Riccardo Freda. With Luigi Pistilli, Dagmar Lassander and Anton Diffring.
Banned by the BBFC for 1972 cinema release. Later passed 15 uncut for 2019 video. Uncut in the US
Summary Review: Brutal Gaillo
In Dublin, a young woman is brutally murdered in her home by a maniac that throws acid in her face and then slits her throat with a razor. The Swiss Ambassador, who was the dead woman's lover, refuses to cooperate with
the police due to his diplomatic immunity. John Norton, an ex-cop famed for his brutal working methods, is brought in to help and gets too deeply involved when he starts an affair with the Ambassador's beautiful step-daughter, Helen. Meanwhile, the
brutal killings continue.
Versions
uncut
run:
95:30s
pal:
91:41s
UK: Passed 15 uncut
with a BBFC trigger warning for strong gory images, violence, threat, suicide scenes, nudity:
2023 Arrow Giallo Essentials White Limited Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad
Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks is a 1976 Canada/US women in prison film by Don Edmonds. With Dyanne Thorne, Max
Thayer and Jerry Delony.
Banned by the BBFC from 1973 cinema release. Unbanned and uncut in 2013. The US R rated version is heavily cut for violence
Summary Review: Resplendent in khaki shorts
Dyanne Thorn returns in the storming sequel to She Wolf , and it seems to have been given a budget boost, as the
setting moves to an Arabian oils sheik's kingdom in the middle of the desert, where Ilsa presides over his palace as right hand security guard and keeper of his harem of kidnapped beauties.
The film doesn't quite match the
excesses of the first film in bad taste, and the camp comedy elements have all been increased, but there are still many gruesome scenes as the harem women are abused and tortured for various reasons, including a pretty revolting sub-plot to assassinate
the sheik by deploying a bomb placed inside a woman's body that will detonate during sex!
Uniform fans will be pleased to see Ilsa resplendent in her khaki shorts and boots, but she does not have the same presence as in
the previous film because she is herself punished at one point by despotic sheik, and its a shame to see that the film recycles her weakness of falling in love with a hunky American, which once again leads to her downfall.
Versions
uncut
run:
93:03s
pal:
89:20s
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong
sex, nudity and scenes of sexualised violence for:
2013 Lions Gate video
The BBFC commented in the Annual Report covering 2013:
Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks was refused a certificate when it was originally submitted to the BBFC in 1977. In 2013 it was submitted on video for DVD release and passed 18 without cuts. While there are scenes in which women
are abused and experimented upon with a love machine , these now appear dated and unrealistic and do not raise credible harm concerns.
When Satin and Velvet deliver a death blow to their victim, the camera lingering over the victims' bloodied face and screams has been removed. A few minutes later a few frames have been removed when a bag of body parts are emptied out the harem
floor.
In the teeth removal scene , shots of blood dripping onto feet as the little white tootsies hit the floor have been purged.
A full sequence of 1:11s is completely cut, ie the sadistic torture sequence in which a hapless
whore's breasts are clamped in a medieval style vice.
Missing shots of ants eating into flesh
Omitted shots of a gouged eye socket
The most infamous scene of the movie (and arguably the whole ILSA series) the exploding dildo
sequence suffered numerous snips. Most notably Ilsa inciting the inevitable carnage with her demands of faster and deeper have been removed along with various shots of the victim's moans of pleasure. Obviously the brief but potent shot of
penetrated detonation itself simply skips to blood hitting for El Sharif's face.
banned
UK: Banned by the BBFC for:
1973 cinema release
Presumably there is a date error in the BBFC database as the ban is 3 years before the worldwide release
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS is a 1974 US/W Germany film by Don Edmonds. With Dyanne Thorne, Gregory Knoph and Tony Mumolo.
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 and 1976 cinema release. Not submitted since. In the US the film has been released with a self applied X
rating , and MPAA R rating and MPAA Unrated.
Summary Review: Brutal
This film takes place in a Nazi concentration camp dedicated to pseudo medical experimentation on its prisoners. Ilsa, the
commandant is portrayed in ruthless fashion by the stunning Dyanne Thorne. Thorne designs and carries out the most excruciatingly painful and torturous experiments on her helpless victims.
Thorne is the essence of cruelty
for cruelty's sake. Thorne is the screen's incarnation of pure evil. I can think of no other film that is as disturbing as this one. The explicit sadism portrayed in this film may or may not have actually occurred as depicted. But unthinkable sadism,
torture, cruelty and debauchery did actually occur in Nazi camps.
This is an unbelievably difficult film to watch because the brutality depicted is extremely graphic. After viewing this film I was shocked and I had a
feeling of just how brutal the Nazis actually were.
The Incident is a 1967 USA crime drama by Larry Peerce. Starring Victor Arnold, Robert Bannard and Beau Bridges.
Banned by the BBFC for 1968 cinema
release. Passed 12 uncut for 2014 DVD.
Summary Notes
Stark melodrama about two thrill seeking tough guys who terrorize late-night passengers on a New York City train. The random victims are more
concerned with their own problems than helping each other and pray that they won't be next. But it's going to take a lot more than prayer to end this nightmare of fear and violence. Film debut of both Martin Sheen and Tony Musante as the hoodlums.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 12 uncut
UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate threat, violence, discriminatory language, sex references for:
2019 Eureka Entertainment (RB) Blu-ray/R2 Combo at UK Amazon
This Pakistani comedy seizes on the controversy where Muslims were wound up by Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses. Salman
Rushdie is depicted in the film played by Afzaal Ahmad. He is portrayed as a criminal mastermind, working for an international organization devoted to destroying Islam.
The film was banned by the BBFC. The board cited the safety of Salman Rushdie as
an argument for refusing the certificate, arguing that it could inflame some to violence.
Although the film portrayed Salman Rushdie very negatively, he opposed the ruling of the BBFC, arguing that:
As a writer, I am
opposed in principle to the use of the archaic criminal laws of blasphemy, sedition and criminal libel against creative works, even in the case of a film which quite plainly vilifies me.
The ban was then overturned on appeal and the
film was passed 18 uncut.
Rushdie later said:
If that film had been banned, it would have become the hottest video in town: everyone would have seen it.
While the film was a great hit in Pakistan, it
enjoyed only a limited release in the West, where it went virtually unnoticed.
J'ai très envie is a 1977 France adult film by Michel Caputo Starring Richard Allan, Karine Gambier and Liliane Allan
Thanks tio Mike. Banned by the BBFC
for 1977 cinema release.
Summary Notes
Georges and Mona anxious to experiment new forms of sexual relations, have decided to propose their house for sales. Helped by their maid, they
will practice their insatiable quest for craziest pleasure on all their visitors.
Versions
uncut
run:
97:24s
pal:
93:30s
worldwide
Worldwide: Available on porn tubes
banned
run:
76m
pal:
73m
UK: A softcore version was banned by the BBFC for:
1977 Eural cinema release
Je t'ame moi non plus - 1976 France drama by Serge Gainsbourg See
I Love You, I Don't
v Jungle Love
- 2012 Philippines drama by Sherad Anthony Sanchez.
Jungle Love is a 2012 Philippines drama by Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Starring Gloria Morales, Mei Bastes and Martin Riffer.
Banned by Thurrock Council
Local ban
From The Thurrock International Celebration of Film in September 2018. Councillor Deborah Huelin, Portfolio Holder for Communities, explained:
Based on an initial
review by the council, it was identified that two of the films could likely be rated R18 if a full assessment were carried out under the guidelines issued by the BBFC. These types of films can only be shown in specially licensed sex cinemas or supplied
by licensed sex shops. The entertainment license for the Thameside Theatre does not allow them to show R18 films which means that these two films cannot form part of the festival.
Summary Notes
A jungle in an undisclosed Philippine location hosts a middle-aged woman who runs off with a baby, two juveniles lost in sexual games, military cadets leisurely wandering about and a guide with an obscure presence. All consumed with
the game of their own lives until the jungle comes to play.
The film won an Honorable Mention (Feature Film), at the Porn Film Festival Berlin 2013.
Justine and Juliette is a 1975 Sweden adult comedy by Mac Ahlberg (as Bert Torn). Starring Marie Forså, Anne Bie Warburg and Harry Reems.
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 cinema
release.
Summary Notes
Two sisters, Justine and Juliette, are as different as it's possible to be, but they both wind up working as prostitutes. The main difference between the two, however, is that
Juliette enjoys every minute of it, romping with the rich and powerful in the lap of luxury, while Justine detests her position, lives in squalor and poverty and is dragged deeper and deeper into degradation and perversion.
1964 US Sci-Fi comedy by Peter Perry Jr. With Max Gardens, Frank A. Coe and Natasha.
Banned by the BBFC for UK 1971 cinema
release. Passed 18 uncut for strong sex, sexualised nudity for UK 2012 Freemantle/Revelation Harry Novak Collection R2 DVD
Summary Review: Staggeringly bad
This was the first film produced by Harry Novak
Sterilox, asexual ambassador from a distant planet, comes down to earth in search of feminine breeding stock. A mad scientist treats the alien to dancing sex robots.
OK Kiss Me Quick is one quirky film with
very little plot and enough bare chested women to go around for all. The make-up/FX are so lame you have to laugh.
Staggeringly bad. But of course that makes it bad enough to be good.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut.
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong sex, sexualised nudity for:
UK 2012 Freemantle/Revelation Harry Novak Collection R2 DVD at
UK Amazon for release on 23rd April 2012
Kitten With a Whip is a 1964 USA action crime thriller by Douglas Heyes. Starring Ann-Margret, John Forsythe and Peter Brown.
Banned by the BBFC for 1964 cinema
release. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Notes
Jody, a juvenile delinquent, escapes from reform school by stabbing a matron and attempting to burn down the building and then
takes refuge in a house owned by an ambitious politician David Patton. Despite the hellcat's ample charms, the would-be officeholder wants nothing to do with her and tries to drive her away. She responds by shortly returning to his house accompanied by a
gang of delinquent pals and taking him hostage. A sudden act of violence causes more trouble, leading Jody and her gang to hijack David and force him to drive a getaway car to Mexico.
La Bête is a 1975 French erotic fantasy by Walerian Borowczyk. With Sirpa Lane, Lisbeth Hummel and Elisabeth Kaza.
Originally banned by the BBFC for 1978
cinema release. A pre-cut version was then passed X by the GLC. The BBFC allowed a pre-cut video release in 1988 and finally passed the film uncut in 2001. There are now 2 uncut versions A shortened Director's Cut and a less liked Complete Version.
Summary Review : Most controversial film of the decade
An insane adult reworking of The Beauty and the Beast tale. This erotic fable was originally to be part of the Immoral Tales (1974) anthology, yet was put aside due to it's controversial subject matter then later transformed into this film.
The financially unstable son, Mathurin (Pierre Benedtti), and very rich, and horny Lucy Broadhurst (Lisbeth Hummel) are soon to be arranged in marriage. The home is full of history relating to the families most famous
ancestor, Romilda. Lucy immediately becomes fascinated with Romilda, and stumbles upon her diary.
The tale is told of the day she was brutally attacked in the woods by a comical man / beast creature with a extra large
penis. This scene is both shockingly powerful and hilariously funny all at once. Combining black humour, with graphic sexuality.
Versions
Complete Version
run:
102:05s
pal:
98:00s
US: The Complete Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
Given that the basic theme of the film had been accepted on VHS back in 1987, the main issue this time was whether the more explicit moments of sexual detail could now be reinstated. Although some of the sexual detail was quite
explicit, none of it was unsimulated (the beast's spectacular ejaculation obviously involved the use of prosthetics). Accordingly it was passed 18 uncut.
This shortened version is accepted as the Director's Cut and is generally preferred over the longer Complete Version. All sex scenes are intact but there are a few scenes missing (for pacing reasons). Thanks to Marc:
Missing scene: Ifany sneeking into the bathroom, after Mathurin has been groomed by his father, in order to stuff clumps of Mathutin's hair into an envelope.
Missing scene:
Ifany bringing the envelope of Mathurin's hair into Duc Rammondelo de Balo's office, where he is dismissed and the Duc sniffs at it.
Missing scene: The cook sets the table while singing, prior to the
farcical meal that the Mathurin, his father and the guests attend.
Better news is that the scene near the end of the film, when the Cardinal arrives at the family home and tutors his underling on the perils
of bestiality, is included
pre-cut
cut:
~9m
run:
89:29s
pal:
85:54s
UK: A heavily pre-cut (~9:00s) US version was passed 18 without further BBFC cuts for:
1988 Global Sales VHS titled Death's Ecstacy
The BBFC still felt that the bestiality theme was contentious and that the dream sequence may feed into the rape myth that women secretly desire to be raped.
Ultimately, it was concluded that the very fantastical nature of the sequence and
its clearly symbolic nature mitigated against any likelihood of harm.
pre-cut
X
UK: The extensively pre-cut version banned by the BBFC was passed X by London's council in 1978, the GLC. The film was also shown in cinema
clubs without a BBFC certificate.
The film had previously been pre-cut to address James Ferman's concerns of:
sight of horses copulating in explicit detail;
a line drawing of a woman being mounted by an animal;
close shots of masturbation
close shots of genital detail;
the more explicit moments in the dream sequence , including the beast rubbing his penis against a tree, the beast masturbating and placing his
head between a woman's legs, and sight of the beast's semen flowing over the woman's buttocks, breasts and stomach.
The film opened at the Prince Charles cinema in September 1978. Following public complaints about the film, possibly provoked by some sensationalist press reporting, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was asked to consider
a prosecution of the film under the Obscene Publications Act. In the event, following consultation with legal advisers, the DPP concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction against the cut version of the film and no further action was
taken.
banned
pre-cut
UK: An extensively pre-cut version was banned by the BBFC for:
1978 cinema release
Distributor pre-cuts reduced the length of a masturbation scene and removed some of the more explicit shots from the dream sequence, in which the heroine imagines having intercourse with the beast .
In spite of the reductions already made,
the Board was sceptical about whether the film would be acceptable to the majority of local authorities, on whose behalf the BBFC classified films. Part of the problem was the film's sexual explicitness, even in the reduced version, which exceeded the
standards currently accepted for the X category. However, a more serious problem was whether the central dream sequence might raise legal issues because of its suggestion of bestiality.
James Ferman wrote to the distributor:
We see considerable problems in passing this film as it stands, although I realise you have made a few cuts of [sic] the most extreme sexual material. Certainly, there are still a great many shots which we feel might be vulnerable
at law, and beyond that, there is also much footage which we feel vastly exceeds the standards accepted by the vast majority of local authorities. The problem is that, with a director of Borowczyk's stature, the cutting required might be such as to
damage the film artistically, and I do not think the Board would want to become involved in a war of attrition on a film of such consequence .
The film was further pre-cut to address James Ferman's concerns of:
sight of horses copulating in explicit detail;
a line drawing of a woman being mounted by an animal;
close shots of masturbation
close shots of genital detail;
the more explicit moments in the dream sequence , including the beast rubbing his penis against a tree, the beast masturbating and placing his
head between a woman's legs, and sight of the beast's semen flowing over the woman's buttocks, breasts and stomach.
But to no avail as the film was still banned by the BBFC
La Grande Bouffe is a 1973 France/Italy comedy drama by Marco Ferreri. Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli and Philippe Noiret.
Banned by the BBFC for 1973 cinema
release but was allowed to be shown in London cinemas with a GLC X rating. Later passed 18 uncut for 1994 VHS.
From IMDb:
The film was originally shown unlicensed in the UK at the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair,
and led pro-censorship campaigner Mary Whitehouse to bring a prosecution against the film under the Vagrancy Act (accusing the cinema owners of keeping a disorderly house ). The case was thrown out and led censor James Ferman to extend the Obscene
Publications Act to cover films, thus preventing movies with artistic merit from suffering prosecution. The film was eventually passed fully uncut for video in 1994.
Summary Notes
Four
successful middle-aged men Marcello, a pilot; Michel, a television executive; Ugo, a chef; and, Philippe, a judge go to Philippe's villa to eat themselves to death. After the first night, Marcello insists that women should join them. Three prostitutes
make it through a day or two; Andrea, a local school teacher, stays to the end. The villa, the food, and a Bugati roadster are essential props.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong sex for:
2015 Arrow Academy RAB Blu-ray/R12 DVD Combo at UK Amazon
2015 cinema release
2006 Nouveaux Pictures R2 DVD
1994 Arthouse VHS
UK: Passed X uncut by the GLC for screening in London:
Lady Hermit is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts film by Meng Hua Ho. With Pei-pei Cheng, Lieh Lo and Szu Shih.
Banned by the BBFC for 1972 cinema
release. Uncut and 15 rated for 2024 Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US
Summary Review: Quite spectacular
The film offers two wonderful swordswomen for the price of one. Shaw Bros.' top
female martial arts star of the late 1960s, Cheng Pei Pei, stars as the title character, a famous veiled crusader who fights bad guys with her sword but has dropped out of sight when the film opens. Shih Szu plays an eager, whip-wielding aspiring
swordswoman who seeks to track down Lady Hermit and become her student.
The villains are a gang of evil Taoist monks, led by Lady Hermit's old adversary, Black Demon. Lady Hermit and her two followers engage the gang in a
series of extremely lively sword battles which are spread throughout the entire film. There are several great set pieces, including a bit where the characters fight on one of those perilous rope bridges across a gorge and the bad guys cut the ropes and
Shih Szu has to hang on to the dangling remains of the bridge and climb and fight her way to the top. The climactic battle in a towering pagoda is quite spectacular.
Versions
uncut
run:
102:26s
pal:
98:20s
UK: Uncut and BBFC 15
rated for strong violence, injury detail:
The Lady Of Heaven is a 2021 UK action drama by Eli King Starring Ray Fearon, Denise Black and Christopher Sciueref
There are no BBFC issues with this release but the film was withdrawn from all Cineworld cinemas and some Vue cinemas after
muslim protests. The film was banned in Morocco.
Summary Notes
The heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the religious character Muhammad. Separated by 1400 years,
an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience. After losing his mother, the child finds himself in a new home, where a loving grandmother narrates the historical story of The Lady and how her suffering as
the first victim of terror spun out of control into the 21st century.
The film was withdrawn from all Cineworld cinemas and some Vue cinemas after muslim protests.
One issue is reported as being a CGI depiction of the religious character Mohammed,
something forbidden in islam. The BBC's Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool, said that the criticism also centres on the the way the Shia Muslim film-maker and cleric, Yasser Al-Habib, has portrayed prominent revered figures in early Sunni Islam,
implying that there are comparisons between their actions with those of the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Moroccan film censors have banned the British film Lady of Heaven, after it was condemned by the country's religious council.
The Supreme Ulema Council said the movie was a
flagrant falsification of the established facts of Islam. The council accused the film of loathsome partiality and accused the filmmakers of seeking fame and sensationalism and hurting the feelings of Muslims and stirring up religious sensitivities.
There have been protests against the film in the UK. Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq have also denounced it.
Transferred from old 1970s video tape. content dated and not what I call erotic. It is about old duffers talking about sex. not recommended for viewing.
Availability
The BBFC banned the 1970 cinema
release
No cuts noted for the 1973 X rated cinema release
A short version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for the 1988 Sheptonhurst video
The film was passed 18 uncut for the 2008 Revelation DVD.
The Last House on the Left is a 1972 USA horror by Wes Craven. Starring Sandra Peabody, Lucy Grantham and David Hess.
In the US the Original Theatrical
Version was uncut and X rated but was soon heavily cut for local censorship requirements and then for a series of attempts made in attaining an R rating. Much of the material cut for an R rating has now been declared lost. In 1986 director Wes Craven
assembled his best remaining material previously cut from the film and declared that this version was his Director's Cut. It was released in the US Unrated by the MPAA. The R rated version was banned from 1974 UK cinema release by the BBFC and the
Greater London Council. The film, presumably still in the R rated version was released in the UK when BBFC certificates were not required but it was soon banned as a 'video nasty'. The BBFC continued its ban with the Unrated version being banned from
cinema release in 2000. In 2001 the DVD was resubmitted and was again banned, but this time cuts were being discussed. A resubmission in 2002 resulted in a BBFC offer of an 18 rating after cuts. The distributors appealed against the cuts but lost their
case, and ended up with even more cuts than requested by the BBFC. The film was released in the following year with the same BBFC cuts but in two versions, including an alternative cut called Krug & Co. By 2008 the BBFC had relented and the film was
released without BBFC cuts in both the Unrated Version and the alternative Krug & Company.
Summary Review: Brutal Realist Tragedy
Two girls are kidnapped by escaped prisoners and are subjected to
sexual humiliation, razor torture, rape, disembowelments and shooting. The parents of one girl avenge their death by chainsaw, throat cutting and castration.
While I think that people tend to get a bit hyperbolic when they talk
about The Last House on the Left , I do think it's a fairly good film, especially given what the filmmakers were trying to do and considering their lack of experience, the era and the budget. Also, despite a filmic precursor, it just may be the
earliest example of the horror subgenre of brutal, realist tragedy . However, it has flaws that would be difficult to overlook in a distanced assessment of the film.
But again, focusing on that amounts to
hype now, and shouldn't be taken too seriously, lest it lead to inflated expectations. Just as surprising on a first viewing is that The Last House on the Left has an intermittent goofy sense of humor and a groovy attitude that is firmly
mired in the early 1970s. The two policemen are really comic relief characters (and very funny at that), but there is also a lot of humor surrounding the criminal quartet--this almost becomes a black comedy at times. These sensibilities even
extend to the music, which has a frequent hillbilly edge and lyrics that supply ex-positional material. Surprisingly, Hess, who plays Krug, wrote the music.
UK: The Krug & Co Version was passed 18
uncut for:
2018 Arrow Limited Edition [Unrated Version + Krugg & Co + R rated Version] RB Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
2010 Metrodome/In2film Ultimate Edition [Unrated Version + Krug & Co Version] R2 DVD
at UK Amazon
US: Krug & Co is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2018 Arrow Limited Edition [Unrated Version + Krugg & Co + R rated Version] (RA) Blu-ray at US
Amazon
The Krug & Co Edit consists of minor edits throughout but includes the more controversial scenes. It is suggested that this edit may also be considered the Director's Cut. See
pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com.
cut
cut:
28s
run:
83:16s
pal:
79:56s
UK: The Krug & Co version was passed 18 after 28s of BBFC cuts for:
2003 Anchor Bay R0 DVD titled Krug & Company
The BBFC commented:
Cuts required to humiliation of woman forced to urinate, violent stabbing assault on woman and removal of her entrails, and woman's chest carved with a knife.
This version has minor differences throughout but all the footage in the BBFC 2002 cuts list is also cut here
Unrated Version
uncut
run:
84:37s
pal:
81:14s
UK: The Unrated Version was passed 18
uncut for sexual violence, strong threat, violence with previous BBFC cuts waived for:
The uncut version was submitted by a new distributor and in 2008 the Board reviewed the work. On the basis of the authoritative interpretation of the harm test as directed in the High Court in the Manhunt 2 case, the Board
considered that the dated nature of the work had reduced much of the impact of the sexual violence previously cut. The Board's sexual violence policy tests had been applied afresh since the previous submission, and the Board did not now believe that the
work posed a realistic possibility of harm, so it was classified '18' uncut.
US: The Unrated Version is uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
UK: The Unrated Version was passed 18 after 44s of BBFC cuts for
2003 Anchor Bay R0 DVD
The 2003 Anchor Bay DVDs implemented the same 2002 cuts list differently and ended up deleting a further 13s
Interestingly the UK Anchor Bay release includes a DVD extra showing the deleted footage as a series of stills. (BBFC censorship only
applies to video material)
cut
cut:
31s
run:
83:41s
pal:
80:20s
UK: The Unrated Version was passed 18 after 31s of BBFC cuts for:
2002 Blue Underground DVD
The BBFC commented:
Cuts required to:
humiliation of woman forced to urinate,
violent stabbing assault on woman and removal of her entrails, and
The BBFC had originally offered a cuts list of 16s but the upshot was that the Video Appeals Committee agreed with the 16s of BBFC and
added a further 15s of their own, so totalling 31s.
banned
UK: The Unrated Version was banned by the BBFC for:
2002 Blue Underground DVD
This ban was a temporary affair resulting from Blue Underground refusing to implement a cuts list offered by the BBFC. This was part of the process in initiating an appeal to the Video Appeal Committee seeking an uncut release.
Unrated Version
UK: The Unrated Version which was banned for 2000 cinema version did
however get a release on the Art house cinema club circuit. Leicester Council awarded an uncut 18 certificate for screenings in the city.
banned
UK: The Unrated Version was banned by the BBFC for:
2000 cinema release
The BBFC commented:
The Last House on the Left is not suitable for cinema exhibition because of the explicit and sadistic sexual violence contained in the film. This is the
second time that The Last House on the Left has been refused classification by the BBFC. The present version is some four minutes longer than the version offered in 1974, but is still several minutes shorter than the original uncut version.
Although the recent resubmission was of a cut version of the film, it was still found to contain elements which are unacceptable under the Board's published Guidelines. The Board asked for further cuts to remove images of the horrific stripping, rape and
knife murder of two women. The option of making additional cuts was offered to the distributor in May 1999 and in September they confirmed that the film would be resubmitted with further cuts. After much delay it is now clear that the distributor has
declined the option to proceed further. The Board is therefore unable to classify the film in this version.
Unrated Version
run:
84:12s
pal:
80:50s
US: Craven and film historian Roy Frumkes assembled their best version from surviving material for a 1986
MPAA Unrated VHS and Laserdisc release. Some of the other cut material was missing, some was without sound, and some was presumably best left out.
This has become the definitive version.
US R Rated Version
UK: The cut R rated
version was passed 18 for sexual violence, strong threat, violence without BBFC cuts for:
2018 Arrow Limited Edition [Unrated Version + Krugg & Co + R rated Version] RB Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
banned
cut
UK: The R rated version was released on pre-cert video for:
1982 Replay VHS
The video was released by Replay Video in June 1982. It was an early casualty of the video nasty panic and got banned in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout and so
became one of the collectible DPP39s
banned
cut
Banned
UK: The R rated version was banned by the BBFC
for:
1974 cinema release
UK: The R rated version was then banned by the GLC for
1974 cinema release in London
The Greater London Council proved no more sympathetic than the BBFC and refused to overturn the BBFC ban for London only showings.
cut
cut:
run:
81:47s
pal:
78:31s
US: The US R rated Theatrical Version was heavily cut:
2018 Arrow Limited Edition [Unrated Version + Krugg & Co + R rated Version] RB Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
Craven noted that several cuts of the film were made to obtain an R rating which seems to have ended up 9 minutes shorter than the original version. Craven aslo noted that some of the supposedly R rated versions shown in theatres were in fact uncut.
Original X Rated Version
uncut
run:
90m
pal:
86m
US: Originally X rated and uncut for:
1972 theatrical release
The Original Theatrical Version was uncut and X rated but was soon heavily cut for local censorship requirements. Craven recalled in an interview in 1990:
"Our first cut of the film ran 90 minutes and was out in the
theaters for about two weeks. Sean Cunningham and I became convinced that it was simply too much, that we'd both be sent to Devil's Island if we didn't make some cuts".
Last Tango in Paris is a 1972 France/Italy romance by Bernardo Bertolucci. Starring Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider and Maria Michi.
Cut by the BBFC for an X rated 1973
cinema release, although a few local authorities banned the film anyway. Later passed uncut for all releases since 1978. Also cut for an R rating in the US although the NC-17 rated version is uncut.
The
Festival of Light, a pro-censorship pressure group, started a concerted campaign to prevent the film reaching British cinema screens, circulating copies of the script to MPs and writing to local authorities - with considerable success, since several
dozen banned it.
However, it received favourable write ups from the film critics and played unopposed in most areas.
Events took an unprecedented turn, however, when Edward Shackleton, a Salvation Army member, brought a
private prosecution against the film's distributors for publishing obscene material. The case ultimately collapsed when it was found that the Obscene Publications Act (OPA) did not apply to film.
Pre-release press hype
suggested that the film would contain a blasphemous scene in which Christ fantasises on the cross about making love to Mary Magdelene. The Board received nearly two thousand letters and petitions from the public and pressure groups, a majority
anxious about what they regarded as potentially blasphemous content, and the minority supporting the film's uncut release in the UK. .
The BBFC took the unusual step of inviting twenty-eight representatives of the major
Christian churches to view the film at the Board, and also took legal advice from a QC before making a decision. All who saw the film at the BBFC agreed that the film was not blasphemous in the legal sense, although it might have the capacity to offend
some Christian viewers.
The film was duly passed 18 in 1988 without cuts and subsequently viewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions who supported the BBFC's decision that the film was not likely to be found Guilty of
blasphemy by a Jury.
A handful of local authorities took the decision to ban the film, on the grounds of possible offence (in response to petitions against it) rather than blasphemy.
Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III is a 1989 US horror film by Jeff Burr. With Kate Hodge, Ken Foree and R.A. Mihailoff.
Banned by the BBFC for cinema release in 1990. Uncut and BBFC 18 rated by 2004. In the US cut for an R Rating but the Unrated version
is uncut.
Summary Review : Unique and interesting
The film itself is extremely well-acted, especially by the lead, Kate Hodge. It is however, not the most pleasant film you
will ever see and if the filmmakers intended it to be a gruelling and punishing experience, they definitely succeeded.
Despite these strong performances and excellent (and very gruesome) special make-up effects, the
completed film is left damaged and confused in several key places. But, it is still one of the better entries in this particular series and is well-worth a look as a unique and interesting horror film.
New Lines
Unrated Version
New Lines Unrated Version
run:
85:17s
pal:
81:52s
UK: The New Lines Unrated Version was
passed 18 uncut for:
Spain: See
article from movie-censorship.com . A VHS was released in Spain which was a bit
longer than the first Unrated Version and apparently cut differently.
First Unrated Version
First Unrated Version
US: The first unrated version, which was at least considerably longer than the R-rated, came out on VHS and LD soon afterwards in the USA. But it quickly came to light that this unrated version didn't contain all scenes
See
pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com . The Unrated Version is
1:36s shorter then the New Lines Unrated Version. It is missing some banter about hammer design being heard by a couple who are trussed up and waiting to be dispatched
Rough Cut
Rough Cut
run:
94:51s
pal:
91:03s
The rough cut contains the most scenes, however it has never made an official release and the quality is poor
the real trouble began when the film was submitted
to the MPAA for a rating. Its biggest obstacle to overcome (besides its bloody content) was the fact that it mixed dark humor with violence, which was not unlike its predecessors, but was something that the MPAA had a big problem with. Receiving an X
with little to no chance of achieving anything else, the film went through many drastic re-edits, eventually receiving an R-rating. Judging from the deleted scenes that didn't make the final cut, it's fairly tame by comparison and could have potentially
been a much gorier film.
Alfredo using scissors to deface pictures of girls in a porn magazine
Various blood spattered shots are missing from a chainsaw attack on Gina by a tree
The scene or Ryan stuck in a mantrap is missing a shot of his blooded foot and
a subsequent scream
A shot of a pen stabbed into Michelle's leg and its removal by a little girl is missing along with the subsequent maniacal laughing about the incident
A shot of Michelle's bloodied hand nailed to a chair is gone as
is a shot of a hook in Ryan's leg as he is suspended upside down. Further scenes of these victim's predicaments are also cut. As have the lines with Tex teasing Ryan: Hey, if you need anything... just twitch!; and Tex teasing Michelle: Don't
ever think of leaving! Not before diner!
Missing shots of Alfredo with a cut off leg and kissing a severed head before spitting on it and chucking it away
The little girl's big chance for a kill has been deleted. She gets to pull
the chord that releases a large hammer that swings down to hit Ryan on the head. Subsequent drinking of a cup of Ryan's blood is also trimmed
Leatherface marking a line across Michelle's face to aim his chainsaw is missing
Missing shots
of Tinker's finger stumps and his ear on a grill and blood spattering onto Michelle
Missing shots of gandpa being shot
Missing shots of Michelle ripping her hand to free it from the nail in the chair.
Missing shots of mom dying
and uttering son of a bitch with her last breath
Michelle gets less hits on Leatherface's head with her rock
Les Angers Pervers is a 1973 Italy horror mystery thriller by Angelo Pannacciò Starring Susanna Levi, Jessica Dublin and Sergio Ferrero
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 cinema
release
Summary Notes
In a secluded mansion, the Hilton patriarch dies, leaving several nieces and nephews. Soon, one of the heirs is murdered by a strange killer, under the
instructions of a mysterious woman who seeks the demise of the Hilton family line.
Versions
uncut
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
Vinegar Syndrome [Camille Keaton in Italy] (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad
This hilarious and horrifying documentary on transsexuals includes actual surgical footage of the operations and close-up looks at the
results inside and out. Not for the faint of heart.
Availability
The 1980 cinema release was banned by the BBFC.
Passed X after BBFC cuts for a 1982 cinema release
Little Miss Innocence is a 1973 US softcore drama by Chris Warfield Starring John Alderman, Sandy Dempsey and Terri Johnson
Banned by the BBFC for 1976 cinema release. Later uncut and BBFC 18 rated for 1986 VHS. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Notes
Executive Rick Engels picks up beautiful young hitchhikers Carol and Judy and takes them back to his swanky mansion for illicit carnal purposes. However, the two lovely lasses prove
to be a lot more than he can easily handle.
Versions
uncut
run:
71:23s
pal:
68:32s
UK: Radiance seem to be planning a release with bonus materials submitted to the BBFC in 2024.
UK: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated:
1986 Portland Films VHS (rated 09/06/1986) titled Teenage Innocence
Love Camp is a 1977 Switzerland adventure thriller by Jesús Franco (as Jess Franco). Starring Muriel Montossé and Ada Tauler and Monica Swinn.
Banned by the BBFC for 1978 cinema release. A short version was released on pre-cert VHS. Later cut by the BBFC for 18 rated DVD in
2004. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Notes
A group of women are kidnapped by guerrillas and forced to serve as prostitutes for them in a jungle brothel. The sadistic
female warden decapitates uncooperative girls.
A cut was required to remove a scene of graphic sexual violence . It in fact showed a naked virgin being held down and her hymen being broken using a riding crop.
cut
cut:
run:
72:27s
pal:
69:33s
UK: A short version was released on pre-cert VHS:
1981 IFS VHS titled Love Camp
1979 IFS VHS titled Sex in a Woman's Love Camp
banned
UK: Banned by the BBFC for:
1978 cinema release titled Sex in a Woman's Love Camp
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun is a 1977 West Germany/Switzerland horror adventure drama by Jesús Franco (as Jess Franco). Starring Susan Hemingway, William Berger and Herbert Fux.
Banned by the BBFC from 1979 cinema
release. Heavily cut on 2004 18 rated DVD to remove sexualised torture and nudity of an under 18 year old actress.
Summary Notes
16-year-old Maria is forced into Serra D'Aires convent, secretly run
by Satanists. Her confessor is in collusion with the Mother Superior. Maria is tortured, forced into sex with men, women, and the horned Devil, and told that it's all a bad dream. She writes a letter to God, and a Knight rescues her, only to fall into
the hands of the Inquisition, put on the rack, and condemned to death like Joan of Arc.
Versions
uncut
run:
89m
pal:
85m
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated
cut
cut:
6:15s
run:
82:58s
pal:
79:39s
UK: Passed 18 for strong violence and sex after 6:15s of BBFC cuts:
2004 Anchor Bay R2 DVD
The BBFC commented:
The cuts were Compulsory. Distributor was required to cut indecent images of a child under the terms of the Protection of Children Act 1978, and images of sexualised torture.
Resubmissions of old works highlighted the impact of the change in the definition of a child. Love Letters Of A Portuguese Nun featured sexualised nudity involving an actress who was under 18 at the time of filming. The BBFC judged
some of the images to be indecent and cuts were therefore made.
In summary:
All reference to Susan Hemingway's nakedness have been removed in their entirety, this includes the actual torture scenes.
Presumably the actress was over the age of consent though, so this falls under legal acts that are illegal to film.
Love Variations , one of the first British sex education films to show nudity in the UK, consisted entirely of alternating scenes of a family doctor showing diagrams of sex positions and illustrative tableaux
of posed figures faking coition in increasingly unlikely and back-breaking postures.
The producers, of course, stressed their good intentions to the censors. The press book for Love Variations stated, a little disingenuously:
The film does
not seek to entertain -- only to inform. The producers wish to point out that although the film is frank, comprehensive and explicit it will almost certainly prove unrewarding to those looking for titillation or sensation and will be of interest only to
those motivated by a sincere desire to be informed.
The BBFC, indecisive about how to treat sex education films, accepted this but nevertheless at first rejected Love Variations on the splendidly perverse grounds that since the film was
not entertaining it was unsuitable for cinemas, which were essentially places of entertainment.
When finally released, Love Variations smashed house records at the Jacey Tatler cinema in London,
Availability
Banned
by the BBFC in April 1970 for UK 1970 cinema release
Passed X (18) uncut in November 1970 for UK 1971 cinema release
A short version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
UK 2011 Odeon Slap & Tickle Double Bill R2 DVD at UK Amazon
Ma Barkers Killer Brood is a 1960 US crime thriller by Bill Karn Starring Lurene Tuttle, Tristram Coffin and Paul Dubov
There are no censorship issues with
this release
Summary Notes
Ma Barker and her four sons terrorize the 1930s South and Midwest with a string of kidnappings, robberies and murders, and even get to work with such famous
criminals as John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.
Madras Cafe is a 2013 Indian action drama by Shoojit Sircar. With John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri and Rashi Khanna.
Passed by the BBFC but banned by UK
cinema chains. Similarly banned by cinemas in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence and injury detail for:
2013 cinema release
The BBFC passed the film 15 uncut for strong violence and injury detail. The BBFC InSight alluded to the emotional impact of the film:
This is a sombre drama and the violence is depicted realistically, with a strong
emotional impact. In the opening scene people are forced off a bus and made to kneel in a field as they are massacred. Blood spurts are seen as several of them are shot in the back, and in a more distant image a little girl is shot too as she tries to
run away. Several executions are shown, including a man tied to a post, his body juddering under fire with lots of blood as he is killed.
Now the film has been banned by British cinemas in August 2013. UK cinema chains, Cineworld,
Odeon and Vue, have banned the film saying in a statement:
Our policy is to show a wide range of films for different audiences ...HOWEVER... following customer feedback and working with the film distributors,
we have decided to not show Madras Cafe. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Press reports suggested that some Tamils had complained that the film was anti-Tamil. The Facebook page of the Tamil Youth Organisation UK has been full of
agitation against the film.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 15 uncut by the BBFC but banned by cinemas
Maîtresse is a 1975 France drama by Barbet Schroeder. With Gérard Depardieu, Bulle Ogier and André Rouyer.
Banned by the BBFC and GLC for a 1976
cinema release but was shown on the private cinema club circuit in 1977. Unbanned and passed X after cuts for 1981 cinema release. Passed 18 uncut for DVD since 2003.
Summary Review: Bound to Intrigue
Gérard Depardieu as Olivier enters an apartment in order to rob the place, but unknowingly breaks into a haven for sadomasochistic fantasies. During the burglary he encounters Ariane (Bulle Ogier) who he had met earlier, but
this time she is a dominatrix who controls situations as she dives into other people's madness.
Olivier is spellbound by Ariane as he falls in love with her, and it leads him into a scorching affair where he is bound to be
burnt as he is mystified by Ariane's dark trade.
Maitresse is an avant-garde film as it explores in-depth the theme of sadomasochistic fantasies and its sub-culture as set in a love story.
On this occasion, it was decided that the 1981 cuts to sight of genital detail were no longer required under the terms of BBFC Guidelines or policy, and that the scenes of sadomasochism were
permissible, in this specific context, at 18 . It was recognised that the film was a serious exploration of a difficult subject rather than a prurient or exploitative work. It was also agreed that the scenes in question were unlikely to lead to a
risk of harm to adult audiences in the 21st century, given the relative restraint in their presentation, certainly by contemporary standards.
Heavy edits made to remove the sights of genitals as a woman is being bound and whipped
Edits to shots of abrasions after a man is whipped and subsequently probed with a needle between his
buttocks
Edits to a scene where a male client has his genitals nailed to a plank of wood and his nipples pierced. This was particularly graphic. The scene showed a few pins going through the skin around the penis
rather than through it. No blood either.
Encouraged by a change in the law enabling us to consider the film as a whole instead of throwing our pinnies over our heads over the decency of its component parts, enabled by the same legislation to consider the audience the film is likely to reach, encouraged by the gradual spread of cinemas catering to an intelligent audience [...] we have changed more than we, or certainly I, would have realised without this confrontation with ourselves of four years ago
. In the end, the Board agreed to classify the film 'X' subject to cuts in three scenes
cut
X Berkshire
UK: Passed X by Berkshire council after cuts for:
1977 local cinema release
The cuts were:
remove the scene where a client is nailed by his genitalia to a piece of wood and nails are stuck through his nipples;
remove the scene depicting the humane slaughter of a horse
remove the parts of a scene where a girl is being punished at the country house where Olivier draws a belt across her vagina;
remove the scene where Olivier urinates in the face of a client
.
uncut
UK: Released uncut for:
1977 cinema club release
banned
UK: Banned by the BBFC for:
1976 cinema release.
The BBFC's James Ferman explained the ban:
After a second viewing with Lord Harlech and other Examiners, we now agree that this is really a picture which cannot be granted a national certificate at this time. We all feel it is
a film of some merit which deserves a showing in Britain, but its subject matter and very frank treatment would, we believe, make it unacceptable to the majority of licensing authorities in the country without very heavy cuts, and these might change the
nature of the film.
The Man from Deep River is a 1972 Italy horror romance by Umberto Lenzi. With Ivan Rassimov, Me Me Lai and Prasitsak Singhara.
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 cinema
release. Banned as a video nasty in 1984. Passed 18 after extensive animal cruelty cuts for 2003 DVD. Slightly fewer cuts for 2016 DVD & Blu-ray. Uncut in the US
Summary Notes: Not much gore
Forerunner of Cannibal Ferox set in South East Asian cannibal infested jungles. Tongue amputations are the order of the day after snacking on traditionally served monkey brains.
A photographer on assignment in the rain forest is ambushed and held slave by a primitive tribe, until the chief's daughter chooses him as her groom. After being initiated by various tortures, he becomes a part of the tribe and
helps them against modern dangers and a cannibal tribe they're at war with.
I liked this one strictly for its exoticness. Me Me Lay looks great dressed or naked. She has a great face. I have the Prism edition video.
That one is missing a brief cannibal scene that later showed up in Lenzi's Eaten Alive by the Cannibals . The cinematography was well done and I may catch some heat for this but I actually liked the music.
The love scene in the river came very close to XXX. A well placed bush (no pun intended) kept it soft-core. Not much gore, so jungle flick fans should like it. I know I did.
Availability
UK Censorship History
Rejected for a cinema release in 1975 as The Man from Deep River
Derann released the uncut version on video in November 1982. It was listed as a video
nasty in March 1984 but it was dropped from the list in September 1985
Maniac is a 1980 US serial killer horror by William Lustig. With Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro and Abigail Clayton.
The Uncut Unrated Theatrical Version
is preferred over the shortened Director's Cut. Once Banned by the BBFC, then released later with cuts in 2002 and then uncut in 2022. The film was also cut in the US for an R Rating.
Summary review: Shocking
This is definitely a film that will leave you thinking. The main reason being the main character Frank Zito aka Joe Spinell plays the most realistic psycho/deranged person I've ever seen on film. The whole time I was thinking is
this guy really insane? Either this guy is a genius actor or he's really nuts. That's how real he is in this role. His presence will creep you out. He's the biggest weirdo I've ever seen on film.
The story focuses on frank
the serial killer and his killings and insanity. Some of the scenes are gruesome, but they will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will be able to put yourself in both franks shoes and feel the victims terror as she is stalked and hides from Frank...
Especially the subway bathroom scene. That's an intense scene. Frank keeps on killing till the end when his own demons finally come back to haunt him.
Any horror fan should have this in their collection.
UK: The Theatrical Version was banned by the BBFC for:
1998 Exploited VHS
1981 cinema release
The BBFC explained the 1998 ban:
Two (of the videos rejected so far in 1998) were serial killer films in which sex is linked with the pleasure of
killing. In one of those films, Maniac, a series of defenceless women are stalked, terrorised, attacked and murdered, while being photographed in a deliberately sexualised way. The film is one of a genre known as 'stalk and slash', and here each stalking
and killing is protracted, sometimes ending with the scalping of the victim. When the police eventually catch up with the killer, he survives, leaving us to anticipate that the stalking and mutilation will begin again. The pleasures on offer here seem to
the Board to be unhealthy and dangerous because of the way that the killing of women is linked with the sexual arousal of men.
Gossip has it that Maniac was initially viewed by four censors; three men and one woman. The three men said the
film should be rejected because of its anti-women depictions. The woman thought the film was cut-able.
Director's Cut
Director's Cut
US: There is also a shortened Director's Cut that is missing plot scenes the director wasn't happy with. But this version hasn't made much impact. From IMDB:
a scene depicting Joe Spinell in a hotel room with a prostitute has been shortened.
Another scene showing Joe and the photographer in a restaurant has been completely removed,
US Version
cut
US: There is also a cut US R rated version to avoid.
Mantis in Lace is a 1968 US erotic thriller by William Rotsler. With Susan Stewart, Steve Vincent and James Brand.
Banned by the BBFC for UK 1972 cinema
release. Passed 18 uncut for strong sex, sexualised nudity, hard drug use and bloody violence for the UK 2012 Freemantle/Revelation Harry Novak Collection R2 DVD.
Summary Review: Trippy
A topless dancer
attracts, seduces, then murders the men she sleeps with using household tools.
This little gem is one of the first key films to combine gore with sleaze. Groovy 60s psychedelia, go-go dancers, sexploitation and horror, all
beautifully photographed by Laszlo Kovacs, collide in a kaleidoscope of color and LSD laden sensibilities.
Not to everyone's tastes though, but Susan Stewart will win a few converts.
Availability
Current UK Status: Passed 18 uncut.
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong sex, sexualised nudity, hard drug use and bloody violence for:
UK 2012 Freemantle/Revelation Harry Novak Collection R2 DVD at
UK Amazon for release on 23rd April 2012
Massage Parlour is a 1972 West Germany comedy adventure by Eberhard Schröder.
Banned by the BBFC for UK 1973 cinema
release
From IMDb:
France, a reporter working from an international news agency, manages to be paid to visit all of Munich's massage parlors. He wants to find the whereabouts of Sonia, a personal masseuse with whom he
experienced perfect bliss.
Mates For Pleasure is likely a 1975 France/West Germany sex comedy by Jesús Franco Starring Fred Williams, Lina Romay and Pamela Stanford
Banned by the BBFC for 1975 cinema
release.
Summary Notes
A wealthy ex-playboy, Count Roland tires of married life to the sex guide magnate Barbara and decides to return to his old ways. He poses as a butler and
becomes a servant to rich and beautiful women, but many complications ensue.
Versions
banned
run:
98:42s
pal:
94:45s
UK: Banned by BBFC
1975 Cinecenta Film Dist VHS (rated 11/11/1975)
Thanks to Mike who researched a previously unrealised ban of a Jess Franco film
Cinecenta, the prospective distributors of Le jouisseur, were mainly specialising in French porn films at the time of this ban.
They had the rights to 2 French soft-core films with extremely similar titles in 1975. Both of these films were released in France on the same day, June 11 th 1975:
Les jouisseuses (Lucien Hustaix, 1975) which translates as The Pleasure Seekers
Le jouisseur (Jess Franco, 1975) which translates as The Pleasure Seeker
The company also had the rights to The Gatekeeper's Daughter which was rejected only 6 days later on 17/11/1975. They managed to sneak Les Jouisseuses past the BBFC with cuts. If the BBFC database is correct, this was in
February 1975, 4 months before its French cinema release. This submission was under the original French title.
When they came to submit Le Jouisseur (the Franco film) later in the year they clearly had to change the title to avoid
confusion with their other film. So they gave it an English title and changed it slightly to make clear that it was a sex film. The Pleasure-Seeker wouldn't have conveyed that, but Mates for Pleasure does.
Coincidentally,
they did exactly the same thing when they submitted L'Essayeuse to the BBFC in the following year. They used an English title and since The Trier means very little they gave it the more alluring title of She Tries Every Man . That was
rejected too of course.
Incidentally, the treatment of these two similarly-titled films shows how censorship standards changed between the Stephen Murphy and James Ferman eras. Murphy passed Les Jouisseuses in February 1975 and
Ferman rejected Le Jouisseur in November 1975. Ferman would also have rejected Les Jouisseuses (the Hustaix film) had it been submitted to him. Although it's a fairly silly sex comedy which was probably hard to take seriously even at the time, the basic
premise concerns a scientist who discovers a molecule with causes sexual excitation. This passes around in pill form in the film, and there are numerous examples of characters slipping pills into other people's drinks and causing them to lose control and
have sex with whoever is around when they otherwise wouldn't. So none of the sex is consensual.
So Mates for Pleasure is Le Jouisseur (Jess Franco, 1975). This may have been Ferman's first experience of a Franco film, and he
rejected many of them subsequently.
The plot -- Count Roland loses interest in his new wife who turns out to run a porn company and approaches sex too clinically. (She refuses to sleep with him on their wedding night before
measuring his dimensions and checking that he's free of STDs). While she's on a business trip he leaves and rediscovers his playboy past, accompanied by his manservant. This mainly involves sleeping with as many women as possible.
The whole thing is played for humour but there would have been several problem areas for the BBFC:
We're shown a flashback to his first sexual experience when he seduced the family's maid by showing her his penis. A voiceover tells us that he was 15 at the time.
The count's first conquest is the 15
year-old virginal daughter of a wealthy industrialist. This part of the story lasts for more than 30 minutes and the BBFC would likely have taken exception to all of it. He flies a helicopter close to her house so that he can spy on her sunbathing nude
on the verandah, peers through her window while she pleasures herself, and poses as a butler so that he can have sex with her during a house party. The actress was clearly over 18, but the BBFC have never liked age play in sex films.
There is a conversation between three characters which involves a verbal misunderstanding. The girl's father says that he's been having sex with a female for 10 years already. Everyone thinks (wrongly) that he's referring to his
(then) 15 year-old daughter. It does get resolved eventually, but the audience is given several minutes to think about the less savoury interpretation.
Rape is featured in a flippant way throughout. Two different women
threaten the count that they will accuse him of rape unless he has sex with them, and the industrialist tells his young daughter that she would enjoy being raped.
One of the count's later conquests involves a character played
by Lina Romay. They first meet when she gives a graphic striptease performance in a club, complete with zooms and close-ups of genital areas.
Romay's character tells us that her breasts are covered in glitter, but in fact it
looks much more like they're covered in bruises. This is significant as her breasts appear quite frequently in the rest of the film.
There's a rather seedy atmosphere in the last part of the film due to all of the sex scenes
being watched by voyeurs. At one point the voyeurs are spotted and they are rendered unconscious by being bashed over the head with a cosh. These scenes of violence are intercut with the sex scenes.
The BBFC would not have
liked the excessive focus on sex toys. Vibrators, dildos and novelty condoms are shown and used repeatedly.
The generally misogynistic atmosphere -- the female characters are frequently referred to as whores, sluts and cunts.
Midnight Desires is a 1977 US hardcore film by Amanda Barton
A clue to the reasons for the ban may lie in the synopsis: She describes herself as a naked prisoner in a windowless, doorless
room from which she is finally delivered to hooded men with naked cocks in cock rings. With her head in stocks, she is whipped, fucked and humiliated.
v Mikey
- 1992 USA horror thriller by Dennis Dimster .
Mikey is a 1992 USA horror thriller by Dennis Dimster (as Dennis Dimster-Denk). Starring Brian Bonsall and Josie Bissett and Ashley Laurence.
The film was withdrawn from cinema
release in 1993 when caught up in the Jamie Bulger controversy. It was then banned by the BBFC from 1996 VHS release. The film was rated BBFC 15 uncut when resubmitted for Blu-rayn in 2025. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
Summary Notes
A strong thriller directed by Dennis Dimster-Denk. Brain Bonsall is extraordinary good as the young smart psycho.
The film received some
controversy, because of Mikey's age in the film, when it's came out in the Spring of 1992.
Versions
uncut
run:
91:30s
pal:
87:50s
Amazon
Germany
Spain
Ireland
UK: Uncut and BBFC 15 rated for strong violence, injury detail, threat:
2025 Treasured Films Blu-ray (rated 21/03/2025)
UK: Passed 18 uncut for:
1992 cinema release
However the certificate was withdrawn in the fallout of the James Bulger killing. See article from en.wikipedia.org , (thanks to Jonathan)
The film was withdrawn from release in the United Kingdom following the James Bulger murder in Liverpool in 1993. It had been classified with an 18 certificate for cinema in November 1992, but head censor James Ferman
demanded the certificate be returned.
The BBFC cinema certificate is no longer in the BBFC database.
UK: Available on Amazon Prime
Note that BBFC bans do not apply to online video.
However BBFC bans do apply to TV broadcasts although TV companies can get the nod from the BBFC that if a film were to be submitted it would no longer be banned.
Ireland: Available on Irish video with the boast that it is banned in the UK
banned
run:
91:29s
pal:
87:49s
UK: Banned by BBFC
1996 Video Programme VHS (rated 20/12/1996)
UK: Banned by the BBFC in 1996 (in the fallout from the James Bulger killing) for:
1996 VPD VHS
The BBFC explained their ban:
A 9 year old boy kills his foster family one by one, including the realistic drowning of his 3 year old sister. It was argued that this was a fantasy horror film and not to be taken literally, but three distinguished child
psychiatrists advised us that the video was sufficiently realistic to have a dangerous impact on a significant proportion of vulnerable children.
UK: Passed 18 uncut for:
1992 cinema release
However the certificate was withdrawn in the fallout of the James Bulger killing. See article from en.wikipedia.org , (thanks to Jonathan)
The film was withdrawn from release in the United Kingdom following the James Bulger murder in Liverpool in 1993. It had been classified with an 18 certificate for cinema in November 1992, but head censor James Ferman
demanded the certificate be returned.
The BBFC cinema certificate is no longer in the BBFC database.
v Mondo Cane
- 1962 Italy documentary by Paolo Cavara & Gualtiero Jacopetti.
Tales of the Bizarre: Rites, Rituals and Superstitions
Mondo Cane is a 1962 Italy documentary by Paolo Cavara & Gualtiero Jacopetti. With Rossano Brazzi and Stefano Sibaldi.
Banned by the BBFC for 1962 cinema
release. Resubmitted in 1963 and passed X after about 14 minutes of cuts. Not released since in the UK. Uncut in the US.
The film consists of a series of travelogue-vignettes providing glimpses into cultural practices throughout the world intended to shock or surprise the mostly Western film audience, including an insect banquet and a
memorable look at a practising South Pacific cargo cult. Mondo Cane's shock-exploitation-documentary style was the inspiration for numerous imitations, including Shocking Asia and the Faces of Death series of movies.
It was nominated for the
Palme d'Or, the highest prize given to a competing film at the Cannes Film Festival.
Monty Python's Life of Brian is a 1979 UK comedy by Terry Jones. Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Michael Palin.
Passed AA uncut by the BBFC for 1979
cinema release and 15 uncut for home video. Some local authorities overruled the BBFC rating and banned the cinema release in their areas. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US. Banned from 1979 cinema release in Ireland, Singapore and Norway. All UK releases
passed AA/15 uncut by the BBFC.
The film contains themes of religious satire which were controversial at the time of its release, drawing accusations of blasphemy and protests from some
religious groups. Thirty-nine local authorities in the UK either imposed an outright ban, or imposed an X certificate (effectively preventing the film from being shown as the distributors said the film could not be shown unless it was unedited and
carried the original AA certificate).
The film was also banned in Ireland, Singapore and Norway. The marketeers made use of the latter with the promotional line: The film so funny that it was banned in Norway.
One of the councils to ban
the film, Bournemouth, made the news in 2015 with the first public screening in 35 years.
Glasgow was one of 39 local authorities in the UK that refused to grant the film a general release on blasphemy grounds. The unofficial 30-year ban was only
lifted back in 2009, when the council's licensing and regulatory committee approved a request from the GFT to show the biblical satire under a 15 certificate.
Hugely controversial at the time, the subject matter of The Life of Brian was considered strictly taboo in 1979, and even today it can still rattle a few cages, but ultimately the Python team all shared the same conviction
that they were not poking fun at religion (or Jesus) per se, but at the people who blindly follow and misunderstand. In this way, The Life Of Brian became not just a comedy classic, but a ground-breaking movie that pushed the barriers of what was
previously considered off-limits .
Each member of the Python team contributes immensely to the film, with Eric Idle supplying a classic Python tune as Brian is being crucified ( Always Look On The Bright Side of
Life ), Terry Gilliam with some great visual gags, Terry Jones as the director of the film, Cleese and Palin turning in multiple brilliant performances (like Cleese's Reg, the leader of the PFJ, and the classic What have the Roman's ever done for
us? sketch), not to mention Chapman as the unsuspecting hero.
Availability
All UK releases passed AA/15 uncut by the BBFC.
However the cinema release was banned by 39 councils. (Who can overrule the BBFC
for cinema showings)
More about the Language of Love is a 1970 Sweden/Denmark sex education documentary by Torgny Wickman.
The BBFC banned the 1972 cinema
release under the title More about Language of Love.
The BBFC noted in the 2009 Annual Report:
Collection 2, Swedish Erotica, a compilation of three early 1970s films from Sweden (Wide Open, Love Play
and More About the Language of Love) was passed 18 without cuts. The work, which includes explicit images of sexual activity, is now very dated. By contemporary standards it is clearly not a sex work, but rather a genuine attempt to inform and
educate, and the Board concluded that there was sufficient contextual justification to allow these scenes at 18 .
Availability
The BBFC banned the 1972 cinema release under the title More about Language
of Love
The BBFC cut 2:55s under the title Language of Love 2 for the 1983 cinema release and 1987 video
Passed 18 uncut for the 2009 Revelation R2 DVD titled Swedish Erotica Collection 2
Current UK Status:
passed 18 uncut
Uncut 2009 Revelation R2 DVD is available at UK Amazon
Mother's Day is a 1980 US comedy horror by Charles Kaufman. With Tiana Pierce, Nancy Hendrickson and Deborah Luce.
Banned by the BBFC for 1980 cinema
release. Passed 18 uncut for 2015 Blu-ray. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Review: Camp Horror Classic
When you go into the woods today, you're in for a big surprise.
When you go into the woods today you're not going to believe your eyes. But it ain't no teddy bear picnic . Three girls discover that two men are willing to do anything to impress Mother and what impresses Mother is watching her son commit acts of
rape and murder. Now these women are prisoners and lowered to pawns in the game of checkers between two dim wits and their Maniac Mommy and the question becomes, can any of them escape, alive?
This is a true 80's
horror classic, with a little bit of camp thrown in for fun! I can't say enough about this under seen little gem! For it's time and genre, the gore and killings are just fantastic. I really dig the script as well. I say that in my opinion, the acting is
absolutely fantastic.
Versions
uncut
run:
90:16s
pal:
86:39s
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong violence, sexual violence for:
Mr. Sardonicus is a 1961 USA horror mystery drama by William Castle. With Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton and Guy Rolfe.
Briefly banned by the BBFC for 1961
cinema release before being cut and X rated. Uncut and 12 rated on VHS and DVD. Uncut and MPAA PG rated in the US.
Summary Notes
A search for a winning lottery ticket in his dead father's grave
causes Sardonicus' face to freeze in a horrible grimace, until he forces a doctor to treat his affliction--with even more grotesque results! The audience gets an opportunity to vote--via the "Punishment Poll"--for the penalty Sardonicus must
pay for his deeds...
My X Wife is a 1975 US adult comedy film by Barry J. Spinello Starring Serena, Steve Rogers and Brandy Saunders
Banned by the BBFC for 1976 cinema
release.
Summary Notes
Thanks to Mike:
This is a film which played on the cinema club circuit before being submitted to the BBFC. Cinema club ads from August 1975 tell us that it's the European
Premiere and that it starts Jen Gillian. This was one of the many aliases of the US adult actress Serena. She didn't use that alias often, and the only time she had used it by this time was in the film Massage Parlour Wife (1975)
So it looks extremely likely that My X Wife was a retitling of Massage Parlour Wife. Although Massage Parlour Wife had censorship issues elsewhere (e.g. in Australia), it was always slightly surprising that no-one ever tried a UK release. I think this shows that they did, but under a new title.
I assume a title change was needed to avoid confusion with several other massage-related films which were in circulation at the time, including Massage Parlour 73 which was still playing as Massage Parlour in a cut version in
cinemas at the time.
It continued to play under club conditions for a few years after the ban.
UK: Released uncut on pre-cert video for:
