Savage Streets – The BBFC Decision

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Nothing has been announced as yet, but I shall post it here as soon as I find out.

What do you expect to happen? When the announcement comes, what do you think?

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

I reckon uncut.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Me too - I'd be very surprised if this one was cut.

[springjack]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

Me too - I'd be very surprised if this one was cut.

The rape of a high school minor?

I hope it´s uncut but I have my reservations...

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

What do you expect to happen? When the announcement comes, what do you think?

I would hope uncut, but the BBFC, being the moral guardians of all that is decent, are very inconsistant. They cut things that breach their personal guidelines, i.e. what they themselves find objectional, and not what contravenes any laws. Until I see it in black and white on their site, I wouldn't say for definate.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by springjack

The rape of a high school minor?

I hope it´s uncut but I have my reservations...

From memory, the rape is not overtly long or 'nasty' like, say I Spit etc. Plus, there are no lingering shots of nudity or the perpetrators gaining sexual satisfaction from it, which are things the BBFC have problems with as it goes against their policy on sexual satisfaction and rape.

I'm optimistic for this one. Otherwise, I've read somewhere that Pete will eat a DVD case. Win-win situation either way!

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Looking at the US poster, It always makes me shake my head when I see something rated R, which in theory, an adult could take a child of any age to see, and yet the BBFC thought would corrupt an 18 year old over here. They really need to get with the program.

[Daemonia]

I'm doubtful about this getting through uncut. The rape scene is in very bad taste, so I'm not sure how the BBFC will view it. If they find it in the least bit titillating or 'dangerous', then expect cuts. Obviously I'm hoping for uncut status, but you never can tell when it comes to the BBFC.

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

I am also slightly uneasy about a guaranteed uncut version as it seems decisions made by the BBFC sometimes depend on what mood those who watch the film are in when they filed the report.

In terms of the sequence, it isn't unnecessarily prolonged and there are cutaways to Brenda and the other girls in the gym whilst it is taking place. There aren't any shots of male or female genitalia and Heather is 'only' humiliated when they draw circles around her breasts.

I'm not sure whether the age of the victim will come into play, but the whole sequence is shorter and easier to watch than in the cut versions of either version of I Spit on Your Grave which the BBFC have recently passed within 18 certificate.

There are more reasons to be hopeful than wary about an uncut release but, like others, I'll only believe it when I hear from Arrow or see it on the BBFC website.

Oh, and Daemonia, you said

Originally Posted by Daemonia

The rape scene is in very bad taste

Can you think of any rape scenes that are in good taste?!

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs

Can you think of any rape scenes that are in good taste?!

Rape is always going to be a distasteful subject to tackle, but some films do handle it better than others. In Savage Streets it's used as an exploitative plot device to create a feeling of anger towards the rapists and affinity with the girls seeking vengeance. That's certainly not a new trick, but it is one that the BBFC might object to. Sexualised violence is still a no-no at the BBFC, however relaxed they may have become in other areas. Personally, I don't see any reason why the BBFC would cut it, but they're a law unto themselves, so who knows? They may surprise us all and come back with a verdict of not requiring cuts - on the other hand, they might have a wobbly and reject it outright!