Robotrix
Dir Luk Kim Ming / 1991 / Hong Kong
The censors gave this title a particularly hard time back in 1991. The Chinatown Cinema had it Refused Registration three times before an R18+ rating was given.
The timeline is as follows:
 | 22.07.91 - 97m (35mm) - Refused Registration |
| 26.08.91 - 95m (35mm) - Refused Registration |
| 09.09.91 - 95m (35mm) - Refused Registration |
| 24.09.91 - 94m (35mm) - R18+ (Medium Level Sex, Violence) |
This censored version went on to play Chinese Language theatres in late 1991. The Classification Board stated the reasons for the ban as 'Gratuitous Sexual Violence'. In the OFLC and Film Literature Board of Review: Report on Activities 1991-92 they also state:
"In the case of Robotrix, a film combining science-fiction, comic and sexually exploitative elements, depictions of graphic and relished violence also contributed to the decision for refusal"
Roadshow picked up the video rights in 1995, but were refused a rating for a 94m VHS. Presumably this was an uncut PAL version.
On February 6th 1996 Siren had a 90m (90m 02s) PAL VHS passed with an R18+ (Medium Level Sex, Violence) rating. This version is presumably the same as the one that was passed in September 1991. The heavily censored tape (missing around 3m 20s) was released on Siren's newly launched Chinatown Video label.
There exists a second Australia release on a cheap no-name label. This appeared around the late 90's and runs 90m 24s.
The cuts to the Siren tape are detailed below. The 'Gratuitous Sexual Violence' is obviously the murder of the bargirl, and the rape of Dr Sara. Various other cuts have been made to tone down the violence. Note that this is not an exact comparison; it is possible that other scenes may have been slightly censored
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MURDER OF THE BARGIRL (27m 30s) Ryuichi Yamamoto is having consensual sex with the bar girl. He begins to get rough, she complains, so he strangles her and throws the body from the window. 56s have been removed from the Siren VHS. A cut has been made when Yamamoto begins to get rough. The Siren tape makes it seem like he throws her out of the window after strangling her on the bed. He actually carries her to the wall and strangles her. This is by far the largest cut to this scene. Also missing is the shot of the girl's body on the car.
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MURDER OF SNITCHY FAI (56m 30s) Ryuichi Yamamoto beating Snitchy Fai to death has been toned down in the Siren version.     |
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MURDER OF THE BODY GUARDS (59m 00s) Ryuichi Yamamoto decapitates one bodyguard with a suitcase, and punches the other in the stomach. The Siren tape makes several cuts here.       |
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| LEG
DRILLING (65m 30s) Ryuichi Yamamoto drills the leg of the Prince. The Siren version removes the shot of the drill entering his leg, as well as his reaction.   |
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| Ryuichi
and DR SARA (79m 00s) Ryuichi Yamamoto ties up Dr Sara and forces her to have sex. This is by far the largest cut in the Siren tape. The entire 106s scene has been removed.   |
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| CHEST
DRILLING (83m 00s) All shots of the drill entering Selina's chest have been removed from the Siren tape.   |
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