Toxic Avenger, The
Dir Michael Herz & Lloyd Kaufman / 1985 / USA
Over the years this has been before the Classification Board a number of times. It was first viewed in November 1985 when Roadshow Home Video receive an R rating for a 79min version. This was followed in June 1987 when Village Roadshow had a 2221.83mtr (81m 12s) edited version rated R. The following month Roadshow Home Video had a 78min (v) print Refused Classification.
In 1987, Issue 16 of the fanzine CRIMSON CELLULOID explained what happened to the film when it was eventually released to video.
"A real sign of the times. Toxic Avenger has been banned!! This may seem strange since the uncut version has been available on video for a good two months. Seems the version given an 'R' rating by the scum-suckers at the censorship board isn't the same version released on video. Thus all the video dealers across Australia have been given orders to send back the uncut version in return for a cut version. Fuck 'em!!"
It looks like the original version was released on Roadshow's Premiere label (with reversible cover). This print is uncut at 78m 45s, and includes the infamous head crushing scene. This must be the tape that CRIMSON CELLULOID refer to as being withdrawn. The Roadshow Home Video version looks like the edited release that replaced it. It removes the head crushing scene, and clocks in at 77m 25s.
In the late 90's Siren Entertainment issued a Directors Cut on VHS which runs 82m 04s. It is rated R18+ (High Level Violence, High Level Coarse Language). It includes the full head crushing scene, as well as other extra footage.
Yet another print has been screening on Foxtel's Comedy channel. Although this runs longer than all of the above at 84m 37s it is still cut. Some of the violence has definitely been toned down, and the head-crushing scene is definitely missing footage. The original one has the punks knocking the boy from his bike then turning the car around and running over his head. One of the girls then gets out and takes photos of the body. The cut version shows the punks knocking the boy from his bike. The following conversation then takes place.
Driver "Let's go for it again"
Male passenger "No, no, I can't. I've got to go home. Got to get up early in the morning. Got to go to church."
Driver and Girls "Ohhhh!"
In October 2000, Tribe Enterprises received an RC rating for a proposed DVD. The problem was not the film, but a DVD extra called THE Troma Intelligence Test. This was eventually removed, and the DVD released with the head-crushing scene intact. Tribe had this 97min (v) print passed R18+ (Medium Level Violence) in January 2001. The actual running time is 82m 07s.
In May 2005 a DVD version was re-classified R18+ (Medium Level Violence). This was released later in the month by Stomp Visual as part of their re-issue of the Troma back catalogue. On the back cover the following is written:
"Toxic Extras and Coming Attractions are not available on the Australian version of The Toxic Avenger"
This is different to what is written on the back of the other seven Troma titles released at the same time. They state:
"Troma Intelligence Test and Trailers are not available on the Australian version of ..........."
It is unclear why Stomp dropped some content from the TOXIC AVENGER DVD. See THE TROMA INTELLIGENCE TEST entry for an explanation of why that extra is missing from the other seven discs.
Toxic Avenger Part 2, The
Dir Michael Herz - Lloyd Kaufman / 1989 / USA
The missing footage discussed for this film is not the work of the OFLC!
CBS/Fox Video had a 91min (v) version rated M15+ in April 1989, followed by a 95min (f) version rated M15+(Occasional violence, Sexual scenes) in July 1989.
In May 2005 it was back before the board. This time it was awarded an MA15+ (High Level Violence, Sexual References) rating. This was released on DVD later in the month by Stomp Visual as part of their re-issue of the Troma back catalogue. On the back cover the following is written:
"Troma Intelligence Test and Trailers are not available on the Australian version of Toxic Avenger Part 2"
The actual running time of the Stomp DVD is 102m 47s (NTSC), and it contains all the gore that was missing from the 1989 CBS/Fox VHS.
See the separate entry for THE TROMA INTELLIGENCE TEST for an explanation of why it was dropped.
