Gangster No. 1

Dir Paul McGuigan / 2000 / UK

The missing footage discussed for this film is not the work of the OFLC. 

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment had a 96min VHS rated MA15+ (High level coarse language, High level violence) on February 9th 2001. The DVD was released by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment and runs 95m 56s. Unfortunately this version is censored.

An uncut version would have easily passed with an R18+ rating, so it is hard to see what Sony Pictures were doing submitting a censored print. The film premiered on DVD, so if anything an R18+ rating would have been a selling point. 

DVD Compare list the cuts as totalling 2m 20s, and speculate that the Danish disc may be similarly censored. Aidan confirms that the Italian version is also cut, so it looks like a soft-version was prepared and distributed in some markets.

Many thanks to Aidan for the following description of the cuts.

The main cutting (that I know of) is seen in the scene of "Gangster" torturing Lenny Mays (seen here uncut). In the Australian DVD the scene fades to black as Gangster charges forward after saying "this is my favourite axe" omitting most of the sequence.

Also absent is a deleted scene, also involving torture (seen here uncut), but as this is a special feature rather than part of the film it's absence isn't necessarily censorship related.

This Italian version contained the same censorship as the Australian DVD.

DVD Comparisons

Gator Bait 2-Cajun Justice

Dir Beverly and Ferd Sebastian / 1988 / USA

CIC-TAFT Video has a 97min VHS Refused Classification in April 1989. The reason given was 'gratuitous sexual violence'. A 95min edited version was banned again in December 1989 resulting in no Australian release.

Thanks to Matt for this review of the film.

The version that I viewed ran 94m 41s, which is a few minutes shorter than the 97m print that you list as being submitted to the Aussie censors. Not sure why this is as it didn't look obviously censored, though I can't rule out the existence of a harder version.

Problem scenes would have had to have been between 37-47min when the hillbilly gang invade Angelique's house and threaten her before her Big T arrives. Although she is not raped, parts of this scene may have caused the censors some problems.

After being taken back to the home of the hillbilly gang, from 55-58min, three of them take turns raping her. This would have definitely been the primary source of the 'gratuitous sexual violence' that the censors listed as the reason for banning it.

Another possibility is the final scene at 92min where the hillbilly leader catches Angelique and holds a knife against her crotch, before Big T appears and shoots him. 

Overall, it's an overlong standard rape revenge thriller, and in 2008 it is hard to see the censors not awarding it an uncut R18+.

Genius is Lying

Dir Ann Harding / 1982 / Australia

This 21min film school work was submitted to the Censorship Board in December 1982. Swinburne Institute of Technology were awarded a R after one cut was made. The controversy began when the producer pushed to have the uncut film included in the 1983 Melbourne Film Festival. The following piece from the 1983 Film Censorship Board Report explains the situation.

***

Film Censorship Board
Report on Activities 1983

SYDNEY-MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVALS
Amendments to the Customs (Cinematograph Films) Regulations, made in April, removed the anomalies which were inherent in the so-called Film Festival 'agreement' of 1975. 
These amendments enable 'approved organizations' to exhibit films at 'approved events' without being subject to the registration provisions of the Regulations. 
Approval of organizations and events is at the discretion of the Attorney-General, who shall have regard to: 

(a) the purposes for which the organization was formed; 
(b) the extent to which the event is in keeping with the purposes of the organization; 
(c) the extent to which the organization carries on activities of a cultural or artistic nature; 
(d) the reputation of the organization with respect to the screening of films; 
(e) the conditions imposed on the organization with respect to the admission of persons to the screening of films by the organization.

Decisions of the Attorney-General either to refuse or revoke approvals may be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Approved organizations may import films for approved events upon submission of applications and synopses to the Chief Censor. Permissions to import are granted subject to permission holders observing certain conditions, which include limiting admission to screenings of the films to subscribers aged 18 years or over and exporting the films within six weeks after the conclusion of the approved event. 
The amendments have the effect of conceding to film festivals named as 'approved organizations' the freedom from censorship restraints which they have long sought. 
The Board welcomed these amendments, as they implicitly confirmed that the Board had no legal mandate to grant the concessions previously sought by the festivals. 
In 1983, the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals were named as 'approved organizations' and 'approved events'. They were granted a total of 356 'permissions to import', 102 to Sydney and 254 to Melbourne.
There was widespread misunderstanding about the legal status of Australian-made films used in film festivals. Few seemed to realise that the exhibition of such films is essentially a matter for State Governments, which may grant exemption to any film (whether imported or Australian made) from the operation of certain provisions of the relevant State Censorship Acts. 
Misunderstanding focused on the film Genius is Lying. This was submitted to the Film Censorship Board by the Swinburne Institute of Technology in December 1982, with a request that it be classified for normal public exhibition. Members of the Board decided, by a majority vote, to classify the film 'For Restricted Exhibition', subject to one deletion. It should be emphasised that this decision was made outside the context of film festivals. 
When the film's producer later sought to have the 1983 Melbourne Film Festival include Genius is Lying in its program, it was suggested that the deletion required by the Film Censorship Board for the film's public exhibition precluded its exhibition at the festival, as the festival's policy is to show only uncut films. 
However, the film could have been shown uncut at the festival had the Melbourne Film Festival successfully sought the approval of the Government of Victoria for its exhibition. 
The Chief Censor issued a press release stating the correct position, in an attempt to dispel the media-created impression that the Board had acted obstructively vis-a-vis the Melbourne Film Festival. But, perhaps inevitably, the press release received less exposure than the allegations which prompted it.

Ghost Festival

Dir Gei Sek / 1985 / Hong Kong

In 1987 Yu Enterprises had to cut this from 89 to 86mins (f) in order to gain an R rating for Chinese cinema showings. 

Ginger

Dir Don Schain / 1971 / USA

G.A. International had a 96min (v) tape Refused Classification in March 1985. Reason for the decision was gratuitous sexual violence.

The G.A. International tape was indeed released to video stores, possibly before the censors decided to ban it. It was relatively easy to find a copy of this for rent in the 80's and early 90's.

The exact running time for the tape is 95min 09sec (v). There are various examples of sexual violence during the film. However we would hazard a guess that the OFLC mainly objected to the climax of the film where Ginger is punched, raped, and injected with heroin by Rex.

Interestingly, the G.A. International release does look slightly cut. 

Before - Jimmy says "Spread your legs". It's followed by Jimmy naked on top of the girl. This scene fades and is followed by a (very) brief shot of another scene coming into view. This shows Rodney's body naked from the waist down.

After - The soundtrack then jumps and there is a shot of Ginger saying to Rodney "Just enjoy the view".

A sequel titled THE ABDUCTORS was also Refused Classification in December 1984 . GIRLS ARE FOR LOVING, the second sequel had an R18+ rated theatrical release in the early 70's. Despite the box of the G.A. International release of GINGER promising "One of 3 Action-Packed Ginger Movies", we've yet to see proof that they got around to releasing them.

A PLACE CALLED TODAY was another of Don Schain's films to be banned in Australia.

Released on DVD in the US by Monterey Home Video.

Girl Next Door

Dir Shiyuuta Biwajima - Chikara Niki - Digital Works / 2002 / Japan

The missing footage discussed for this film is not the work of the OFLC. However, the distributor pre-cut before submission in anticipation of Oflc problems.

Siren Visual Entertainment had a DVD rated R18+ (High Level Sex Scenes, Adult Themes) on December 18th 2003. 

Despite being listed as the ORIGINAL version, the DVD had actually been pre-cut prior to submission. According to Siren, minor cuts were made, but only in relation to any sexual violence connotations, which would not pass under any circumstances.

This was eventually released on DVD in 2004 on a double-bill with the similarly censored CAMPUS.

Siren re-released the film as a single feature in May 2007 as part of their Hentai Collection.

Full marks to Siren for admitting the cuts. Unfortunately, the OFLC statistics now record these as never having had censorship problems. This situation is widespread in the X18+ category.

Godfather's Fury

Dir Chung Sun / 1978 / Hong Kong

In July 1979 a 2831.90mtr (103m 30s) print of this Shaw Brothers production was banned by the Censorship Board. The reasons given was 'Excessive Violence'. There is no record of the applicant, JS & WC International Film, later making any cuts to gain an R rating.

Golden Ninja Warrior

Dir Joseph Lai / 1986 / Hong Kong

Videobiz (S.A.) had this 85m VHS Refused Classification in March 1989. The reason given was 'Gratuitous Sexual Violence'. The trailer for the film (available on YouTube) contains shots of a girl being beaten with her breasts exposed. It is followed by her being held down on a bed and having her top torn off. Presumably this is part of the sequence that saw the film banned in Australia.

Grandes Jouisseuses, Les

aka French Erotic Fantasies

Dir Claude Bernard-Aubert / 1977 / France

Originally presented to the censors in a 92min (f) print in 1978 by Consolidated Exhibitors, it was cut to 80mins (f) before an R rated cinema release could go ahead. 

In 1985 two video companies had this banned due to gratuitous sexual violence, Prestige Video at 90mins & CBS Fox at 80mins. I am not aware of these being released cut or otherwise by these companies. Video Classics put this out in the early 80's with a running time of 75min 24sec. The video box title is The Grand Sensualist.

Greta-The Mad Butcher  

aka Ilsa-The Wicked Warden

Dir Jess Franco / 1977 / Switzerland-USA-West Germany

The original ILSA, SHE WOLF OF THE SS was banned in 1976.

In January 2005 there is a report of customs delaying delivery of the Anchor Bay Ilsa Box set. The titles in the shipment were SHE WOLF OF THE SS, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, and WICKED WARDEN. The package was eventually delivered with a letter informing that they had been delayed because they were suspected of falling within the scope of of Regulation 4A of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. 

DVD Comparisons

Guinea Pig: Devil's Experiment

aka Za Ginipiggu 1: Akuma No Jikken

Dir Hideshi Hino / 1985 / Japan

This was due to screen on July 17th 2004 at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. It is rumoured that the OFLC became aware of this and contacted the organisers who pulled it, and three other features from the program. If anyone has any further information on this then please send it in.

The Melbourne Underground Film Festival issued the following press release on July 12th 2004.

The following films have been banned from MUFF by the O.F.L.C:

The following description of the film is taken from the MUFF website.

Za Ginipiggu 1: Akuma No Jikken

JAPAN | 1985 | 46 min

Notorious splatter video series conceived by underground manga artist Hideshi Hino. Shot on videotape with minimal production values but reasonably convincing special effects, the series, running to six episodes, eventually turned comedic and a making-of was also released to counter a rumour that the first couple of eps were actual “snuff” films. In essence, the films are a special effects showcase and are one-dimensional in tone. Some palpable shock value is to be had.

Saturday July 17th 9pm Gertrudes.

DVD Compare

Guinea Pig: Flowers of Flesh and Blood

aka Za Ginipiggu 2: Chiniku No Hana

Dir Hideshi Hino / 1985 / Japan

This was due to screen on July 17th 2004 at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. It is rumoured that the OFLC became aware of this and contacted the organisers who pulled it, and three other features from the program. If anyone has any further information on this then please send it in.

The Melbourne Underground Film Festival issued the following press release on July 12th 2004.

The following films have been banned from MUFF by the O.F.L.C:

The following description of the film is taken from the MUFF website.

ZA GINIPIGGU 2: CHINIKU NO HANA

JAPAN | 1985 | 43 min

Notorious splatter video series conceived by underground manga artist Hideshi Hino. Shot on videotape with minimal production values but reasonably convincing special effects, the series, running to six episodes, eventually turned comedic and a making-of was also released to counter a rumour that the first couple of eps were actual “snuff” films. In essence, the films are a special effects showcase and are one-dimensional in tone. Some palpable shock value is to be had.

Saturday July 17th 9pm Gertrudes.

Thanks to Aidan for this information.

As your database states this film was refused exemption for the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. Having watched it I can tell you the motivation behind it being refused exemption and classification. Two scenes in particular are likely to have baited our censors. Firstly around the 30 minute marks a woman has her hand graphically and convincingly cut open, then struck with a sledge hammer. Secondly at the films conclusion, the woman has a "needle" (actually closer to a large nail really) poked through the side of her face and out the front, causing blood to slowly gather around her eyeball which is then pushed out of her head by the needles motion. This graphic and realistic scene was likely troublesome as (according to your database) the OFLC previously refused another Japanese film ("Evil Dead Trap") classification due to a similar needle/eye encounter. Our censors also probably had trouble with the fact that the film is presented as a series of cruel vignettes (each with a title card implying what will follow, including Hit, Kick, Unconscious, Claw and of course Needle) presented in sequence in a monotonous fashion (fitting the "experiment" theme) rather than a full narrative plot. The film and it's first sequel became infamous after viewers in the United States suspected them of being actual snuff films (most famously actor Charlie Sheen reported the sequel "Flower of Flesh and Blood" to the FBI after seeing it at a party) a view apparently influenced by the fact that most copies in the U.S. until the recent DVD release were 3rd to 10th generation bootleg video tapes with reduced quality resembling home movies.

DVD Compare

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