Yes the controversy over
The Trip was ridiculous. No swearing, no violence, very little nudity (bar painted topless go-go dancers). Even the LSD scenes themselves are mild, and the film's message is actually an anti-drug one.
Both
Straw Dogs and
Maniac were also rejected twice. The latter is still cut (58 secs) but could possibly scrape through next time round.
In terms of other pre-90's films that caused the BBFC problems over the years. Well, mention must go to
Freaks,
No Orchids For Miss Blandish,
Blackboard Jungle,
Victim,
The Wild One,
Peeping Tom,
Lolita,
Blow-Up,
Ulysses,
Women In Love,
Killing Of Sister George,
The Devils,
A Clockwork Orange,
Flesh (they simply rejected
Trash at the time),
Last Tango In Paris,
The Exorcist (though only for video),
Enter The Dragon (and most MA films),
Death Wish,
Emmanuelle,
Salo,
Ilsa: She-Wolf Of The SS (twice rejected),
Caligula,
Dawn Of The Dead,
Life Of Brian (the BBFC had no problems but everyone else did),
Derek & Clive Get The Horn (rejected for swearing),
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom,
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, and the video nasties of course.
Try the
BBFC Case Studies for some excellent info on assorted problem films.