BBFC Cuts by the Year

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove scenes of strong violence (in this case, a woman cutting her throat and a man being slashed by a sword), and strong horror images (in this case, a decaying corpse), in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

The Angry Birds Movie

• Angry Birds
• Angry Birds: O Filme

BBFC advised category cuts were made for a 2016 cinema release. Uncut and MPAA PG rated in the US.

Promotional Material

In the 3D animated comedy, The Angry Birds Movie, we'll finally find out why the birds are so angry. The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds - or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis, We're the Millers, Horrible Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride, This is the End, Eastbound and Down) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it's up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.

• 2016 Sony 4k R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2016 Sony R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2016 Sony R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2016 Sony 4k R0 Blu-ray
• 2016 Sony R0 Blu-ray
• 2016 Sony R2 DVD
• 2016 cinema release titled Angry Birds

• This film was originally seen for advice in an incomplete form. The company was advised it was likely to be classified PG, but that their preferred U could be achieved by removing a couple of examples of word play on strong language. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, these instances of word play had been removed and the film was therefore classified U.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release.

• 2016 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove strong violence (in this instance focus on bloody injury, limbs being broken, and blood spurts) in order to obtain a 12A classification. A 15 without cuts was available to the company.

A Christmas Story

• Get Santa
• Den magiske juleæske

BBFC category cuts were required for a U rated 2016 DVD.

Summary Notes

Eight-year old Julius lives at an orphanage. Julius is a bit of an outsider, and secretly still believes in Santa Claus. When he is confronted with the fact that Santa Claus may just be the headmaster of the orphanage dressing up, Julius loses not only his belief in Santa - also his belief in himself. But then something strange happens, and suddenly Julius finds himself in a magic world.

• 2016 Signature Entertainment R2 DVD

• Company chose to remove a use of discriminatory language in order to achieve a U rating. An uncut 12 was available.

Daisy

BBFC category cuts were required for 18 rated 2016 DVD

Promotional Material:

Daisy tells the story of real life porn star Daisy Rock and her involvement within the controversial and multi-billion dollar Adult Film Industry . It depicts her story as she contemplates her life whilst shooting her last film in Ibiza. Her story is unadorned and authentic, without glorification or prejudice. It delivers a deep insight into her personal life as a porn star.

• 2016 Bright Spark video

• Distributor chose to remove clear sight of unsimulated sexual activity (in this case, oral sex) in order to achieve an 18 classification. An R18 without cuts was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2016.

UK: Passed 12A for moderate violence, occasional gory images after 1:24s of BBFC category cuts for:

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove sequences of strong violence and bloody detail in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.

Empresses in the Palace

• Zhen Huan Zhuan

Cut by the BBFC for 12 rated 2016 DVD on grounds of animal cruelty.

Promotional Material

Grand story of the inner workings of the harem of classic China.

UK: Passed 12 for moderate violence, suicide scenes, sex references, miscarriage references after 2s of BBFC compulsory cuts for:

• 2016 Simply Media R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 15th August 2016

• Cuts required to remove animal cruelty (two live pigeons impaled on an arrow).

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 cinema release.

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove several moments of strong violence, including blood spurts from bullet impacts, in order to receive a 12A rating. Cuts were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 was available.

Goosebumps

Category cuts were made for a UK PG rated release. Also cut in the US for an MPAA PG rating.

Summary Notes

A young kid teams up with the niece of young adult horror author R.L. Stine after the writer's imaginary demons are set free on the town of Greendale, Maryland.

Producer Neal Moritz told the Collider :

We had some issues with the poodle which I thought wouldn't be an issue, but the poodle kind of scared people a little too far so we had to pull that back a little but not that much.

• 2016 Sony RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2016 Sony R2 DVD at UK Amazon
• 2015 cinema release

• This film was originally seen for advice. The company was told it was likely to be classified 12A, but that their preferred PG could be achieved by making reductions to one scary scene. When the film was submitted for formal classification, this sequence had been acceptably reduced and the film was passed PG.

It is not clear if the UK censors came to the same conclusions as the US censors or else the British censors further cuts to the version cut for the US censors.

Grimsby

• The Brothers Grimsby

BBFC category cuts advised for a 15 rated 2016 cinema release. Also cut in the US for an R rating.

Summary Notes

MI6's top assassin (Mark Strong) has a brother. Unfortunately for him, he's an English football supporter (Sacha Baron Cohen) from the town of Grimsby. Nobby has everything a man from the poor English fishing town of Grimsby could want - 9 children and the most attractive girlfriend in northern England (Rebel Wilson). There's only one thing missing in his life: his little brother, Sebastian. After they were adopted by different families as children, Nobby spent 28 years searching for him. Upon hearing of his location, Nobby sets off to reunite with his brother, unaware that not only is his brother an MI6 agent, but he's just uncovered a plot that puts the world in danger. On the run and wrongfully accused, Sebastian realizes that if he is going to save the world, he will need the help of its biggest idiot.

• 2016 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment RB Blu-ray titled Grimsby at UK Amazon
• 2016 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment R2 DVD titled Grimsby at UK Amazon
• 2016 cinema release titled Grimsby

It seems that the scenes removed for a BBFC 15 rating have been included as Blu-ray extras. These extras are 18 rated and so the entire Blu-ray is noted as 18 rated. The DVD does not include these deleted scenes and so is 15 rated as per the main feature.

• This film was originally shown to the BBFC, for advice, in an incomplete form. The BBFC advised the company it was likely to be classified 18 but that their preferred 15 could be achieved by making reductions to a couple of scenes of crude humour. When the film was submitted for formal classification, these sequences had been acceptably reduced.

• 2016 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
• 2016 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment R1 DVD at US Amazon

It seems that according to a video interview with Sacha Baron Cohen that the film also suffered category cuts in the US to achieve an R rating. It seems that censors from the MPAA were convinced that an 'elephant scene' fell into the category of bestiality. (But surely bestiality would need to be cut at any level and wouldn't be suitable at NC-17 either).

Cohen says that he challenged the MPAA's definition of bestiality and also cut 6 minutes from a 9 minute scene. He suggested that the cuts were a ploy to obtain the scene he wanted and that the cut material had been added just to be offered as cuts in negotiations.

It is not yet confirmed whether the US release is the sane as the UK release but it would seem likely.

I Spit on Your Grave

The film was cut by the BBFC for all UK releases. It is uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US but banned in New Zealand.

See also  information about this remake in BBFC Case Study: I Spit on your Grave (1978) from bbfc.co.uk

Summary Notes

A writer who is brutalized during her cabin retreat seeks revenge on her attackers, who left her for dead.

• 2011 Anchor Bay RA Blu-ray via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2011 Anchor Bay R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2015 Platform Entertainment [I Spit On Your Grave 1-3] RB Blu-ray
• 2015 Platform Entertainment [I Spit On Your Grave 1-3] R2 DVD
• 2011 Anchor Bay Blu-ray
• 2011 Anchor Bay R2 DVD
• 2010 cinema release.

The BBFC explained their cuts:

• Company was required to make a total of seventeen cuts during three separate scenes of sexual violence in order to remove potentially harmful material (in this case, shots of nudity that tend to eroticise sexual violence and shots of humiliation that tend to endorse sexual violence by encouraging viewer complicity in sexual humiliation and rape).

The BBFC added:

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE is a US remake of the 1978 film of the same name. It tells the story of a young woman, Jennifer Hills, who rents a secluded cabin in order to work on her novel. She is terrorised, assaulted and brutally gang raped by a group of five men, including the local Sheriff. She then takes revenge on each of her attackers. The film was classified 18 for very strong terrorisation, sexual violence and bloody violence.

Before awarding an 18 classification to I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, the BBFC required seventeen individual cuts to its scenes of sexual violence in order to remove elements that tend to eroticise sexual assault (for example, through the use of nudity), as well as other elements that tend to endorse sexual assault (for example, by encouraging viewer complicity by the use of camcorder footage, filmed by the rapists, during the various scenes of sexual assault). With these cuts made, the film's scenes of very strong terrorisation and sexual violence remain potentially shocking, distressing or offensive to some adult viewers, but are also likely to be found repugnant and to be aversive. They are not credibly likely to encourage imitation. There are three scenes in which Jennifer is terrorised, humiliated and sexually assaulted by the men. She is verbally and physically abused, being forced to drink alcohol, dance in her underwear and behave like an animal. She is also beaten and pushed around by the men. Jennifer is then raped by each of the men in turn, although only two rapes are shown onscreen. In the cut version, the rape scenes feature only incidental nudity and are played largely off facial reactions. Although the scenes of assault are protracted, the most likely response to the cut version of the scenes is revulsion and disgust rather than excitement or arousal.

See pictorial cuts details from movie-censorship.com

pre-cut
TV version

• 2016 AMC Networks International UK [Material also pre-cut by company.] video

• Cuts were required during scenes of sexual violence in order to remove potentially harmful material (in this case shots of nudity that tend to eroticse sexual violence and shots of humiliation that tend to endorse sexual violence by encouraging viewer complicity in sexual humiliation and rape). The cuts were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines, policy and the Video Recordings Act 1984.

Background to this version

Earlier this year in May, Ofcom announced that it was investigating a complaint about a broadcast of the remake of I Spit on Your Grave on the Horror Channel in March. The sequel to the remake I Spit on Your Grave 2 was being shown at the same time and it was noted that maybe this could be involved in the complaint too.

schnittberichte.com also pointed out that a January showing of I Spit on Your Grave wasn't actually a BBFC approved version. The website concludes that the Horror Channel did its own edit, which although cut, was stronger than the BBFC version.

Surely this complaint, and the possibility of interim versions, is behind this week's BBFC new classification of  I Spit on Your Grave and I Spit on Your Grave 2, submitted by AMC Networks International, owners of Horror Channel.

The BBFC passed this latest version of I Spit on Your Grave as 18 after 53s of BBFC cuts for sexual violence, bloody violence.

So perhaps these leaves the Horror Channel in the lurch with Ofcom. Ofcom will no doubt find that the channel should have shown the BBFC cut version. The channel will now be in breach of the rules of the land explicitly requiring  that TV channels show BBFC approved versions (or versions where the BBFC have given the nod that they would no longer require cuts if resubmitted).

The [2010 remake] contains long and realistic scenes showing the brutal terrorisation and rape of a woman by a group of men. Later scenes show her implausible but sadistic vengeance against her tormentors.

It encouraged attitudes that contribute to sexual violence, torture by terror and other extremes of cruelty and violence, particularly against women.

The treatment of the woman before she is raped, is an all-too-plausible and realistic version of the kind of abuse meted out to many women. There is minimal effort to explain the sadistic behaviour of the male characters.

The length of the scenes and their gratuitous focus on [her] suffering offer maximum opportunity for misogynistic pleasure. Viewers are repeatedly invited to share the point of view of the rapists and are therefore placed in the position of prurient voyeurs.

Some viewers may well identify with male dominance and power, and echo the men's enjoyment of the woman's terror and humiliation.

I Spit on Your Grave 2

Released in Unrated and R rated versions, with the cut R rated version being released in the UK.

Promotional Material

When Katie innocently accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio, the experience quickly turns into a nightmare of rape, torture and kidnapping. Now, she will have to find the strength to exact her brutal revenge.

R18+

• 2013 Starz/Anchor Bay RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo via UK Amazon and at US Amazon
• 2013 Starz/Anchor Bay R1 DVD at US Amazon

Australia: Uncut and rated R18+

pre-cut
TV version

maybe
a PAL sppedup
100:55s
=96:53s

• 2016 AMC Networks International UK [Pre-cut version] video

Background to this version

Earlier this year in May, Ofcom announced that it was investigating a complaint about a broadcast of the remake of I Spit on Your Grave on the Horror Channel in March. The sequel to the remake I Spit on Your Grave 2 was being shown at the same time and it was noted that maybe this could be involved in the complaint too.

schnittberichte.com also pointed out that a January showing of I Spit on Your Grave wasn't actually a BBFC approved version. The website concludes that the Horror Channel did its own edit, which although cut, was stronger than the BBFC version.

Surely this complaint, and the possibility of interim versions, is behind this week's BBFC new classification of I Spit on Your Grave 2, submitted by AMC Networks International, owners of Horror Channel.

The BBFC passed this latest version as 18 uncut for strong bloody violence and sexual violence. The BBFC noted it as a pre-cut version. Assuming a PAL speed up, the running time is about half way between the uncut version and the cut UK version ( which is also the cut US Rated version). If the pal speed up theory is not correct, then the new cut was 3 minutes shorter than the cut UK version.

So perhaps the Horror Channel did indeed find an alternative version, and now in the light of investigation by the TV censor, has submitted that version to the BBFC for their opinion. Hopefully the BBFC passing this version uncut will help their case.

cut

MPAA

• 2015 Platform Entertainment [I Spit On Your Grave 1-3] RB Blu-ray
• 2015 Platform Entertainment [I Spit On Your Grave 1-3] R2 DVD
• 2013 Anchor Bay Entertainment RB Blu-ray
• 2013 Anchor Bay Entertainment R2 DVD

US: MPAA rated R For strong sadistic violence, torture and rape, graphic nudity, language and some drug content.

Presumably this is the same version that was presented at the FrightFest as the 'Festival Cut'.

The BBFC commented:

This film was originally seen for advice in an incomplete version. The company was informed that 27 cuts would be required across six scenes to remove various elements of sexual and sexualised violence. Without these cuts the work would have been refused a classification. When the completed version of the film was submitted for formal classification, all the requested cuts had been made, and the film was classified 18.

See pictorial cuts from movie-censorship.com . 43 cuts have been made for sexual violence totalling 1:41s.

The rape scenes with Katie were heavily cut or other parts of the picture were used, and some nude scenes were replaced by alternative footage. But the scenes depicting violence weren't changed at all.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• The distributor chose to remove a scene of attempted suicide (a woman cutting her wrist) in order to achieve a 12A classification. A 15 rating, without cuts, was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated 2016 cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove a use of strong language ('motherf**ker'), moments of strong violence, and a scene of glamorised drug use in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release.

• 2016 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove moments of violence in order to achieve a 12A rating. A 15, without cuts, was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove scenes of strong violence for the requested 12A rating. An uncut 15 was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce the focus on a scene of self-immolation in order to achieve a 12A rating. An uncut 15 rating was available.

Little Mix: Get Weird Tour

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 DVD.

• 2016 Sony Music Entertainment video

• Company chose to remove a routine featuring moderate sex references and innuendo in song lyrics, accompanied by suggestive dancing, in order to achieve a PG classification. An uncut 12 was available.

Lucky Lady

• Abenteurer auf der Lucky Lady

Passed 'AA' uncut for 1975 cinema release but later cut for animal cruelty for a 12 rated 2016 DVD. Uncut and MPAA PG rated in the US.

Summary Notes

A trio of rum-runners during prohibition in the 1930s engage in a menage-a-trios after business hours.

MPAA

• 1975 cinema release

• 2011 Shout! Factory R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2016 Bright Spark video

• Cut required to remove a scene of animal cruelty (cockfighting).

Man from Deep River

• Il Paese del sesso selvaggio
• Deep River Savages
• Nel Paese del Sesso Selvaggi
• Au Pays del'Exorcisme
• Mondo Cannibale
• sacrifice

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.

• 2004 Shriek Show R1 DVD via UK Amazon and at US Amazon

• 2016 88 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 23rd May 2016
• 2016 88 Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 23rd May 2016

• Cuts required to remove scenes of unsimulated animal cruelty organised and directed for the purposes of the film:

• a mongoose and a snake being forced to fight;
• a cockfight;
• a snake being cut open while alive;
• a crocodile being cut open while alive).

Presumably the previous cut to the monkey's head being sliced open has been waived.

• 2007 Shriek Collection R0 DVD
• 2003 International Trading/Screen Entertainment R0 DVD titled Deep River Savages

The BBFC commented :

Cuts required to remove sight of real animal cruelty (in this case setting

• a mongoose on a snake
• locking a monkey into a vice and slicing off the top of its head
• a cock fight
• cutting a snake and bleeding it alive
• and stabbing a crocodile in its neck with a small knife)

• 1982 Derann VHS

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

• 1975 cinema release under the title The Man From Deep River

BBFC category cust were required for a 12A rated 2016 cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove images of bloodied bodies in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated 2016 cinema release.

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove moments of stronger violence in order to obtain a 12A classification. A 15 without cuts was available.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated 2016 cinema release.

• 2016 cinema release

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

Pixiwoo Present: Hollywood Icons

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12 rated 2016 DVD release.

Promotional Material

Make-up artists and sisters, Sam & Nic Chapman aka Pixiwoo, tell the story behind some of the iconic Hollywood looks and the Ladies who have inspired them throughout their careers - their pop culture Icons. With a distinctive, polished style, this film is a thoughtful exploration of the trends that defined a century in makeup, beauty and glamour. The DVD is packaged with a limited edition exclusive Real Techniques blush brush – the perfect gift!

• 2016 2entertain R0 DVD at UK Amazon released on 21st November 2016

• Company chose to make cuts to some stronger verbal sex references in order to obtain a 12 classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

BBFC cuts were required for 12A rated cinema release in 2016.

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove two moments of strong bloody violence (blade embedded in man's head, accompanied by blood spurt, and bloody bullet impact to chest) in order to achieve a 12A classification. A 15 classification was available without these cuts. Additionally, compulsory cuts were required to a scene of cockfighting, in accordance with the requirements of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

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

Summary Notes

A lawyer kidnaps a young woman without meaning to.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 15 rated 2016 cinema release.

Summary Notes

When a drug mafia abducts an eight-year old, her dearest man sets out on a mission with a view of returning the compliment.

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce a scene of strong violence in order to obtain a 15 classification. An uncut 18 classification was available.

Sahara

• Aventuras en el Sahara

Unspecified cut were made by the BBFC for  PG rated 1983 cinema release and 1986 VHS. Cut for horse falls for 12 rated DVD/Blu-ray in 2016. Uncut and MPAA PG rated in the US.

Summary Notes

After her father dies, young Dale takes his place in a trans-African auto race, but ends up being abducted by a desert sheik.

• 2013 Shout! Factory / Timeless Media R1 DVD at US Amazon

• 2016 88 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
• 2016 88 Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon

• Cut required to remove cruel and dangerous horse falls (horses being tripped and falling forwards) in accordance with BBFC policy.

• 1986 MSD VHS

It is not clear whether these cuts were for category or for the horse trips.

• 1983 cinema release

It is not clear whether these cuts were for category or for the horse trips.

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to reduce scenes of violence (by removing heavier blows, sprays of blood, and blood being coughed up), and remove more explicit verbal references to sexual violence, in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.

• 24: The Movie

BBFC category cuts were required for a 2016 12A rated cinema release.

Summary Notes

A scientist discovers a time travel device (the watch named 24) which is wanted by his evil brother Aathreya, however a few years after the watch is acquired by the scientist's son. Aathreya then kills the scientist and his wife and he then time travels, so he can fight with his nephew for the watch.

• 2016 cinema release

• Distributor chose to remove moments of strong violence and bloody injury detail in order to achieve a 12A classification. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut 15 rating was available.

A Warrior's Tail

• Savva. Serdtse voina

BBFC category cuts were required for a PG rated 2016 cinema release.

Summary Notes

An international animation project that is coming out in Russian and English languages. It is a fairytale about a grand life journey of a 10-year old boy Savva devoted to help his Mom and fellow village people to break free from the vicious hyenas. Trying to escape from hyenas Savva finds himself in a magical world he had only heard stories of.

• 2016 cinema release

• Company chose to remove a single use of strong language ('motherfucker') in order to achieve a PG classification. A 15 uncut was available.