BBFC News

Angel Guts: Red Classroom is a 1979 Japan horror thriller by Chûsei Sone
Starring Yûki Mizuhara, Keizô Kanie and Jun Aki

Distributors submitted this film to the BBFC in 2002 but the BBFC required unacceptable cuts and the distributors abandoned the UK release. The BBFC was finally passed 18 uncut for Blu-ray in 2025. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US.

Summary Notes

When a writer for a porn magazine, watches a "rape" porn that is set in a school, he becomes obsessed with the lead actress, Nami, and tries to find her. He meets her by chance as he arrives for a shoot at a hotel.

Versions

uncut run: 78:35s pal: 75:26s		UK: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity: 2025 Third Window Films Blu-ray (rated 06/05/2025) titled Angel Guts - Red Classroom US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for: 2006 Arts Magic R1 DVD at US Amazon #ad
unreleased cut: run: 77:18s pal: 74:12s		UK: BBFC 18 rated for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity for sexual violence, strong sex, nudity after BBFC cuts: 2002 Artsmagic DVD (rated 16/09/2002) The BBFC commented: Compulsory cuts required to remove eroticising sight of forced exposure and groping of breasts and to remove eroticising detail from subsequent rape scene. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and BBFC Policy on sexual violence. The video remained  unreleased after the BBFC required unacceptable cuts. Distributors ArtsMagic collected all five uncut versions of Nikkatsu's officially produced "Angel Guts" films from 1978-1988. Having had difficulties submitting Red Classroom and Red Dizziness to the BBFC back in 2002 they decided to abandon plans for the UK market full stop, because they knew they wouldn't be able to release the best versions that they could.

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The film was withdrawn from cinema release in 1993 when caught up in  the Jamie Bulger controversy.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. US: Uncut and MPAA R Rated for: 2020 Mvd Rewind R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon 2020 Mvd Rewind (R0) DVD at US Amazon 2000 Sterling R0 DVD Germany: Uncut for: De '84 Entertainment R2 DVD via UK Amazon Spain: The Spanish release is uncut for: Es Smile Price R0 DVD 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.

Marching Powder is a 2025 comedy thriller by Nick Love
Starring Stephanie Leonidas, Danny Dyer and Philippe Brenninkmeyer

BBFC cuts were required for 2025 cinema and video release.

Summary Notes

Middle-aged Jack, arrested for drugs, strives in 6 weeks to repair marriage, curb bullying in-law, and guide stepbrother Kenny Boy, but his efforts fail as life spirals out of control.

Versions

cut run: 96:03s pal: 92:12s		UK: cut and BBFC 18 rated for very strong language, sex references after BBFC cuts: 2025 True Brit Entertainment video (rated 28/02/2025) 2025 True Brit Entertainment cinema release (rated 21/02/2025) The BBFC commented: Company was required to make a compulsory change to one scene to remove a potentially indecent image involving a child. The original version of the scene showed a child in the same shot as some explicit material playing on a laptop behind him. Company addressed this issue by substituting the images on the laptop screen with non explicit images. Cut made in accordance with the Protection of Children Act 1978. No footage was removed as the cuts were made by digital substitution.
uncut run: 96:03s pal: 92:12s		Ireland: Uncut and IFCO 18 rated for very strong drugs and language, strong violence and sexual content: 2025 True Brit cinema release (2025 rated 04/02/2025)

The BBFC writes in a press release:

The British Board of Film Classification welcomes today's report from the Independent Pornography Review.

As the UK's statutory regulator of film and video content, the classification of offline pornographic content has been a key part of our role for decades.

However, for many years, we have been concerned about the accessibility of violent and abusive pornography online that we would not classify and therefore would be illegal to distribute offline, on physical formats such as DVD and Blu-ray.

We know that this concern is shared by people across the UK, and there is a growing body of evidence which demonstrates the impact of harmful pornography on society.

We stand ready to work with the UK government as they respond to Baroness Bertin's recommendations, including by taking on a formal role as auditor.

President of the British Board of Film Classification, Natasha Kaplinsky said:

The BBFC welcomes Baroness Bertin's thoughtful and ambitious report. For too long, violent and abusive pornography that would be illegal to distribute offline has been freely available online 203 to children and adults alike. It is no surprise that the review has found this content, and its influence, to be deep-rooted in society; its harm potential, abundant.

We believe parity between how pornographic content is regulated offline and online can be achieved. We've been regulating offline pornographic content for 40 years and we stand ready to work with the government on the recommendations of the review to better protect audiences online 203 including by bringing our unparalleled expertise to take on a formal role auditing online pornography.