Cult Labs - BBFC Problem Films

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BBFC Problem Films

...over the years?

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT are the first that come to mind for me.

Also, which are some of the most famous rejections as far as the BBFC are concerned?

One of the most famous Rejections has to be Corman's The Trip.

Rejected in 1967 when submitted for a film classification.
BBFC Director John Trevelyan.

Rejected again in 1971
This time age bar for the X rating had been raised to 18 (previously it was 16).
BBFC Director Stephen Murphy

Rejected again in 1980
BBFC Director James Ferman

In 1988 Rejected again. This time for a video classification.
BBFC Director James Ferman

It wasn't until 2002 when Robin Duval took over that the film could finally be passed uncut with an 18 rating.

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.

Deadbeat at Dawn's rejection was completely farcical.

Submitted to the BBFC in the late 90's who then offered the company a cuts list, but after the cut version was re-submitted the BBFC decided that the film would have to be banned after all.

Looking back over the years at some of the cuts/rejections made by the BBFC it seems almost laughable. I'm still waiting (and waiting and waiting) for the official cuts list to Nightmare City but from what I recall the old video would have passed with a 15 even then after the edits had been made.

Thankfully those days are long gone though it's fascinating to look back on them. Ferman would have gone a purple shade of crimson if films such as Scrapbook and Nutbag had been offered to him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincenzo (Post 15039)

Yes the controversy over The Trip was ridiculous. Watching it again recently in terms of actual footage content it barely merits a 12. No swearing, no nudity, no violence, no graphic drug footage. 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, Victim, The Wild One, Peeping Tom, Lolita, Shock Corridor, 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 seemed to), Derek & Clive Get The Horn (rejected for excessive swearing), Class Of 1984 (heavily cut for cinema then rejected for video), 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.

Great info, and a great link. Thanks!

I suspect today's BBFC also look back at some of the daft decisions that were made by them in the past with some amusement.

Talking about Rejections - I wonder if we will ever see a film rejection again.
Last film rejection was Last House on the Left some years ago.

Wasn't that Nick Palumbo film MURDER SET PIECES recently rejected?

Edit: yes it was:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classi...2?OpenDocument

Rejected 27th Feb this year.

Creeps

Angel is talking about cinema releases :D

Ohhh never mind then. Carry on. :D