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2022: Jan-March

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Offsite Article: Bat Sense...


Link Here20th March 2022
Full story: Batman Movies...A history of controversy
A 15A rating should be introduced for The Batman so young fans aren't deprived of watching it. By Scott Bates

See article from metro.co.uk

 

 

Not much point appealing against harsh censorship then...

The BBFC confirms its new appeal system implemented by child welfare 'experts'


Link Here 26th February 2022
The latest published BBFC minutes reveals that the new Video Appeals Committee (VAC) is up and running. There have been hardly any appeals over the last few years, so it probably doesn't make much difference. However with appeals more likely to be heard by child campaigners than those with an interest in free speech, then I don't suppose there will be many appeals in the future either.

The BBFC wrote:

The BBFC's Senior Policy Officer confirmed that as of 1 January 2022 the new Video Appeals Committee (VAC) is in place.

In order to improve its effectiveness, the BBFC has, with the support of DCMS, made changes to how the VAC works. We have streamlined the process by removing the requirement that VAC hearings be held in-person and by drawing the membership of the VAC from the child-welfare experts who sit on the BBFC's independent Advisory Panel on Children Viewing, with recruitment managed by an independent third party.

The changes we have made have allowed us to reduce the VAC appeal fee by 50%, and this has been communicated to the home entertainment industry.

 

 

Borderline rating...

Film censors have different opinions about the age rating for The Batman and it causes border friction in Northern Ireland


Link Here17th February 2022
Full story: Batman Movies...A history of controversy
The Batman is a 2021 USA action crime drama by Matt Reeves.
Starring Robert Pattinson. BBFC link 2020  IMDb

International film censors have different opinions about the age rating for The Batman. In particular

  • US: Rated PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material
  • Ireland: Rated 15A for strong violence and intense action sequences
  • UK: Rated 15 for strong threat, violence
Of course where there's an easy to cross border these differences may make a commercial impact. Cinemas in Northern Ireland are worried that groups with 12 to 14 year olds would travel to Eire so that the youngsters could see the film.

The cinema chain Movie House asked Belfast Council to overrule the UK BBFC rating of 15 and instead enforce an Irish IFCO 15A rating which allows under 15s to see the film if accompanied by an adult.

However Belfast councillors rejected the request with several councillors noting that they haven't seen the film so are not best placed to overrule the BBFC rating.

Movie House managing director Michael McAdam wanted the rating to be lowered to 15A. He pointed out it would be on a streaming service in weeks, when parents can decide if their children can watch it, putting cinemas at a disadvantage. He added:

The world has changed. We used to have a five-month window, now streaming services are becoming stronger, he said. At home, parents can permit their children to watch it on TV, but at the cinema the same parent would be breaking the law.

Edward Lamberti of the BBFC said that most superhero films get a lower age classification. But The Batman movie was different, and the BBFC hadn't given it a 15 lightly:

It is a stronger, tougher, bleaker movie than is typically the case with a superhero film.

He made reference to films such as The Joker, which was given a 15 classification, and went on to receive the most complaints of 2019, with parents believing it should have been rated higher.

 

 

BBFC cuts and bans 2021...

An annual list of BBFC scissor work


Link Here18th January 2022

Annaatthe

Annaatthe is a 2021 India action drama by Siva
Starring Rajinikanth, Meena and Kushboo BBFC link 2020 IMDb

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2021.

Summary Notes

It is based on the relationship shared between a brother and his sisters.

Versions

BBFC cut
cut:
run: 161m
pal: 155m
12AUK: Passed 12A uncut with a BBFC trigger warning for moderate violence, bloody images, threat, suicide scene:
  • 2021 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The distributor chose to make cuts to violence and bloody images in order to achieve a 12A certificate. An uncut 15 was available.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

  • The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is a 2021 USA horror mystery thriller by Michael Chaves
Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Julian Hilliard BBFC link 2020  IMDb

Uncut and MPA R rated in the US. This was initially rated 18 uncut, by the BBFC but the distributors preferred a cut 15 rated version for 2021 cinema release. For home video the 4K Blu-ray is uncut but all the other formats are cut. The film is rated 16 uncut  by IFCO for Irish cinema release.

Summary Notes

A chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

Versions

BBFC cut
category cuts
cut: ~10s
run: 111:43s
pal: 107:15s
15

Ireland 15
Ireland

UK: The UK edit was passed 15 for strong threat, horror, violence after BBFC category cuts:

The BBFC commented:

The distributor chose to reduce bloody injury detail in a suicide scene in order to obtain a 15 classification. An uncut 18 classification was available.

Of course the BBFC is referring to vertical wrist slitting which is disallowed at 15.

See the uncut scene in video from streamable.com . Ben comments:

I've seen the uncut footage and 18 is absurdly harsh. It's demonic possession and *technically* self-harm, but not an attempted suicide at all as the BBFC called it. You see glass and blood on the man's wrist but no clear sign of process and injury

Ireland: The UK Edit was rated 15 uncut for strong supernatural violence.

  • 2021 video
BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 111:53s
pal: 107:24s
18

Ireland 15
Ireland

Ireland 16
Ireland

MPAA R

UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong injury detail, horror:
  • 2021 Warner Bros R0 4K Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad
  • 2021 cinema release, unreleased as the distributors opted for a cut 15 release

Ireland: Rated 15 uncut for strong supernatural violence.

  • 2021 video

Ireland: Rated 16 uncut for very strong gory violence.

  • 2021 cinema release running at 111:44s

US: Uncut and MPA R rated for terror, violence and some disturbing images:

Enemy

Enemy is a 2021 India action thriller by Anand Shankar
Starring Arya, Malavika Avinash and Duy Beck BBFC link 2020 IMDb

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2021.

Summary Notes

It's the story of two childhood friends and their escalating competitive nature. To what extent are they ready to go?

Versions

BBFC cut
cut:
run: 157m
pal: 151m
12AUK: Passed 12A uncut with a BBFC trigger warning for moderate bloody violence, threat, suicide references, sexual threat:
  • 2021 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Company made cuts to remove moments of strong bloody violence and injury detail in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.
The Gestapo's Last Orgy

Link Here
  • L'Ultima Orgia del III Reich
  • Bourreaux SS
  • Last Orgy of the Third Reich
  • Des Filles pour le Bourreau
  • Caligula Reincarnated as Hitler
The Gestapo's Last Orgy is a 1977 Italian prison film by Cesare Canevari.
With Adriano Micantoni, Daniela Poggi and Maristella Greco. Melon Farmers link BBFC link 2020 IMDb

Banned in the UK as a Video Nasty. Banned by the BBFC for video release in 2021. Available uncut in the US but there is also a cut version.

Bannable scenes include girls being dunked in quick-lime, girls fellating pistols and sodomising the commandant with the butt of a whip.

Summary Review: Way Better than Expected

In the tradition of THE NIGHT PORTER, SALON KITTY and SALO only far more depraved comes perhaps the most notorious Nazisploitation epic of them all: Daniela Levy  stars as a beautiful young death camp prisoner forced into a nightmare of brutality, torment and sexual degradation. But will a Commandant's vilest urge trigger her ultimate vengeance? Marc Loud co-stars in this fetid slice of filth-strudel

Caligula Reincarnated as Hitler was way better than what I expected. The young blonde star of the film is gorgeous and someone both men and women would find attractive to sleep with. There are some five star sexual violence scenes that are unfortunately too brief. Beatings, whippings, gang raping of women prisoners, dipping naked women into vats of lime, hanging the young blonde star nude and upside down over a box of live rats! I mean, hey you "sicko" Nazi fans, is this something or what?

There are no actual hardcore sex scenes, however, there are multiple simulated sex scenes that are quite hot to watch.

Versions

banned
banned
run: 96m
pal: 92m
rejectedUK: Banned by the BBFC for:
  • 2021 88 Films Blu-ray

The BBFC commented:

THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY is an Italian exploitation film, from 1977, in which a Jewish woman revisits the site of a concentration camp in which she was formerly imprisoned and subjected to torture, terrorisation, humiliation and sexual violence.

BBFC Guidelines state that: As a last resort, the BBFC may refuse to classify a work --.where a central concept of the work is unacceptable, such as a sustained focus on rape, other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or sadistic violence.

THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY is largely composed of scenes of strong sadistic violence, humiliation, degradation and non-consensual sexual activity, including rape, all of which occurs within a clearly anti-Semitic context. Its central concept is therefore unacceptable, and the sadistic and sexually abusive material it contains is too pervasive to be effectively addressed by cuts.

Accordingly, the BBFC has refused classification to this work.

uncut
uncut
run: 95:42s
pal: 91:52s
MPAA UnratedUS: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
mpaa cut
cut
cut:  
run: 94:53s
pal: 91:05s
MPAA UnratedUS: Cut for:
  • Exploitation Digital  R1 DVD

See article from dvdcompare.net

  • At approximately 47:00s the sight of a penis has been darkened
cut
cut
cut: 10:48s
run: 84:18s
pal: 80:56s
Video NastyUK: Pre-cut for Pre-cert video release for:
  • 1984 Videoshack VHS
  • 1983 VFP VHS

DPP 39The video was released in 1983 by VFP with a missing 10:48s scene of an Aryan fantasy and a feast of human flesh. The video was re-released in 1984 by Videoshack.

It was added to the DPP list of banned video nasties in March 1984 and stayed listed throughout the panic and so became one of the collectable DPP39s. The Videoshack version is particularly rare.

The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel is a 2021 UK comedy drama horror romance by Jean Campbell Hogg, (segment Watching), Joshua Carver, (segment Forty Years), Adam Collier, (segment Room 27)
Starring Hugh Fraser, Reece Ritchie and Rob Jarvis BBFC link 2020 IMDb

BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2021.

Summary Notes

Eight tales of ghostly encounters through the decades, manifesting amid the ruins of a once grand English hotel.

Versions

BBFC cut
advised category cuts
cut:
run: 95m
pal: 91m
12AUK: Passed 12A uncut with a BBFC trigger warning for moderate horror, violence, bloody images, sexual threat, suicide references:
  • 2021 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The distributor requested cuts to achieve their preferred category. Images of strong injury detail were removed in order to achieve a 12A. An uncut 18 classification was available.

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 95m
pal: 91m
18UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong injury detail:
  • 2021 cinema release, not released in favour of a cut 12A version

 

Kaaval

Kaaval is a 2021 India action thriller by Nithin Renji Panicker
Starring Suresh Gopi, Lal and Renji Panicker BBFC link 2020 IMDb

There are no censorship issues with this release

Versions

BBFC cut
cut:
run: 147m
pal: 141m
12AUK: Passed 12A uncut with a BBFC trigger warning for moderate violence, suicide, sexual harassment references, language:
  • 2021 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

The distributor chose to make cuts to violence and bloody images in order to achieve a 12A certificate. An uncut 15 was available. Cuts made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.

The Last Letter From Your Lover

  • Last Letter From Your Lover
The Last Letter From Your Lover is a 2021 UK romance by Augustine Frizzell
Starring Shailene Woodley, Felicity Jones and Joe Alwyn BBFC link 2020 IMDb
Originally passed 15 uncut for cinema release but was later presumably cut for a 12A rated cinema release in 2021. The UK home video releases also features the cut version.

Summary Notes

A pair of interwoven stories, set in the past and present, follow an ambitious journalist determined to solve the mystery of a forbidden love affair at the center of a trove of secret love letters from 1965.

Versions

cut
pre-cut
uncut
run: 109m
pal: 105m
12

12A

UK: A pre-cut version was passed 12A uncut for infrequent strong language, moderate sex, sex references:
  • 2021 Studio Canal video
  • 2021 cinema release

Presumably strong language has been cut

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 110m
pal: 106m
15UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong language:
  • 2021 cinema release titled Last Letter From Your Lover

Little Crumb

  • Little Crumb Race to the Gold Mine

  • Kruimeltje en de Strijd om de Goudmijn
Little Crumb (Little Crumb Race to the Gold Mine) is a 2020 Netherlands children's film by Diede in 't Veld
Starring Viggo Neijs, Sabijn Dunnewijk and Victor Löw BBFC link 2020 IMDb

BBFC censor cuts were required for a PG Rated VoD release in 2021

Summary Notes

Reunited with his parents, Little Crumb is having trouble getting used to his new luxurious lifestyle. When he is abducted by an old enemy, he has to use the best of his new and his old life to escape and save his parents.

Versions

BBFC cut
advised category cuts
cut:  
run: 78m
pal: 75m
PGUK: Passed PG  for mild threat, violence after BBFC advised category cuts:
  • 2021 Kaleidoscope VoD

The BBFC commented:

Cuts for publication: The distributor chose to remove a use of moderate bad language in order to receive a PG classification. A 12 uncut was available to the distributor.
 

Maya The Bee: The Golden Orb

  • Maya the Bee 3: The Golden Orb
Maya The Bee: The Golden Orb is a 2021 Germany / Australia animation adventure by Noel Cleary
Starring Benson Jack Anthony, Frances Berry and Christian Charisiou BBFC link 2020 IMDb
The BBFC originally rated the film PG uncut for 2021 cinema release but the distributors preferred a cut U version.

Summary Notes

When Maya, a headstrong little bee, and her best friend Willi, rescue an ant princess they find themselves in the middle of an epic bug battle that will take them to strange new worlds and test their friendship to its limits.

Versions

BBFC cut
advised
category
cuts
run: 88m
pal: 84m
UUK: A pre-cut version was passed U very mild threat, violence, rude humour:
  • 2021 cinema release

Thanks to Scott:

The cuts were to remove use of 'crap', a no-no at U.
BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 88m
pal: 84m
PGUK: Passed PG uncut for mild bad language:
  • 2021 cinema release not released as distributors preferred a cut U rated release
 

The Phantom Of The Open

  • The Fantastic Flitcrofts
The Phantom Of The Open is a 2021 UK comedy drama by Craig Roberts
Starring Rhys Ifans, Sally Hawkins and Mark Rylance BBFC link 2020 IMDb
Exists in 2 versions. The Phantom Of The Open was cut for BBFC 12A rated cinema release in 2021.  The Fantastic Flitcrofts is uncut and BBFC 15 rated for cinema release in 2021.

Summary Notes

The story of golfer Maurice Flitcroft whose performance at the 1976 British Open Golf Championship made him a legend.

Versions

cut
cut
cut:  
run: 103m
pal: 99m
12AUK: Passed 12A for infrequent strong language:
  • 2021 cinema release titled The Phantom Of The Open

Cut to reduce strong language.

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 103m
pal: 99m
15UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong language:
  • 2021 cinema release titled The Fantastic Flitcrofts

Pushpa

  • Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1
Pushpa is a 2021 India action adventure thriller by Sukumar
Starring Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna BBFC link 2020 IMDb
BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2021.

Summary Notes

Story of Pushpa Raj, a lorry driver in Seshachalam forests of South India, set in the backdrop of red sandalwood smuggling. Red Sandalwood is endemic to South-Eastern Ghats (mountain range) of India.

Versions

BBFC cut
Category cuts
cut:
run: 178m
pal: 171m
12AUK: Passed 12A for moderate violence, threat, occasional bloody images, brief drug misuse after BBFC category cuts:
  • 2021 cinema release

The BBFC commented:

Distributor chose to make to remove or reduce moments of violence and injury detail in order to achieve a 12A classification. An uncut 15 was available.
BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 178m
pal: 171m
15UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence, injury detail:
  • 2021 cinema release unreleased in favour of a cut 12A rated release

Suburbia

Suburbia is a 1983 USA thriller by Penelope Spheeris.
Starring Chris Pedersen and Bill Coyne and Jennifer Clay. Melon Farmers link  BBFC link 2020   IMDb

Animal cruelty was cut by the BBFC for 18 rated VHS in 1985 and 15 rated DVD in 2003. The BBFC uprated the certificate for the still cut Blu-ray release in 2021 over its elevated concerns about sexual assault. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.
UK: Passed 18 for sexual assault after 10s of BBFC cuts for animal cruelty:
  • 2021 101 Films Limited Edition (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad released on 6th September 2021

Promotional Material

101 Films presents Penelope Spheeris' searing drama Suburbia (1983), title 021 on the 101 Films Black Label. Starring real-life punks rather than trained actors, and featuring live performances from punk bands D.I., T.S.O.L. and the Vandals, Suburbia is an authentic and compassionate study of the Los Angeles punk rock scene in the early 1980s, and a bleak indictment of the American suburban experiment. Extras include a brand new, 30-minute interview with director Penelope Spheeris.

Evan and his younger brother leave their broken home in an attempt to escape their alcoholic mother. They fall in with "The Rejected" (aka T.R.), a group of punks who live as squatters in an abandoned shack by the side of the highway. With the T.R.s, the boys find a new family. But their new family will be tested when they become the target of "Citizens Against Crime," a group of unhappy suburbanites.

EXTRAS:

  • Interview with director Penelope Spheeris (NEW)
  • Limited edition booklet: Includes Punks in Suburbia by John Towlson and Before Suburbia: Gangs on Film by Barry Forshaw
  • Commentary with director Penelope Spheeris
  • Commentary with director Penelope Spheeris, producer Bert Dragin and actor Jennifer Clay
  • Still Gallery
  • TV Spots
  • Trailers

Versions

BBFC uncut
uncut
run: 94m
pal: 90m
MPAA RUS: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:
BBFC cut
compulsory BBFC cuts
cut: 10s
run: 94:50s
pal: 91:02s
sub: 95:00s
18

15

UK: Passed 18 for sexual assault after 10s of BBFC cuts for animal cruelty:
  • 2021 101 Films Limited Edition (RB) Blu-ray

UK: Passed 15 for moderate nudity and violence, and drug use after 10s of compulsory BBFC cuts:

  • 2003 Prism Leisure Corp PLC video
The BBFC commented:
  • Cuts required to remove sight of dogs being tripped by wires, in accordance with BBFC Policy on animal cruelty and the provisions of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.
BBFC cut
compulsory BBFC cuts
cut: 28s
run: 94:25s
pal: 90:38s
18UK: Passed 18 after 28s of compulsory BBFC cuts:
  • 1986 Vestron Video International VHS

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