Film Censorship: C

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Caged Fury

Directed by Bill Milling / 1989 / USA / IMDb

Hoyts Distribution had a 94m version of CAGED FURY banned in 1990.

Home Cinema Group then picked up the rights and presented the OFLC with a 92m videotape. This was Refused Classification on April 22nd 1996. It was censored down to 80:23 and passed with an R18+ rating on March 10th 1997. The censors list the consumer advice as 'Medium Level Violence', whilst the Home Cinema Group VHS has 'Frequent Coarse Language, Sex Scenes and Medium Level Violence' on the cover.

This is not to be confused with Ciro.H.Santiago's 1983 film also called CAGED FURY, which was released on tape in Australia on the K-Tel video label.

 

 

The censored Home Cinema Group tape

Thanks to Simon for this excellent review where he documents the huge amount of footage that was removed from the Home Cinema Group tape.

 

This is one stupid film! However it is quite fun as it has all the usual WIP elements of shower scenes, cavity searches, and lesbian wardens. Also being an 80s film it has lots of big hair. I had no idea that the Aussie tape was cut by quite so much until I read your site. I had to see what was missing and finally tracked down an uncut US version which runs 94:50 (including the 21st Century Picture card). I didn't do a side by side comparison of the two versions, but this is a good overview of what is censored. I'm sure there may be a few more that I missed.

I'm certain that the film didn't need to be cut by quite so much. The censors would have definitely let most of this stuff through and probably only objected to a few scenes. Instead Home Cinema Group seem to have gone wild and removed every scene where a woman is even slightly hurt or even threatened. They also seem to have been very sloppy removing the footage, often taking out much more than they needed to, rather than just cutting the graphic stuff. There are no explicit sexual violence scenes, instead there are only a few attempted rapes that seem to end up with the man in pain or getting the shit kicked out of him. These descriptions may sound bad, but believe me that the film is so stupid that it is not half as graphic as it sounds.

Here is the long list of scenes that are missing footage. All time are from the uncut US version and are the approximate point of the start of the cut scene.

02:00 - A prisoner (played by porn star Kascha) is trying to escape. A black guard slowly pursues her and pushes her to the ground.

03:00 - Shot of the Head Guard's face with Kascha's screams playing over the top.

09:15 - Rhonda's face is pulled towards the crotch of the driver. She grabs the cigarette lighter and burns his crotch.

18:30 - Kathie is approached whilst on the phone to her Father. She begs not to be hurt.

19:15 - Kathie is pinned down by the bikers as they prepare to rape her.

40:30 - The fat female prison wardens bend the girls over and performs cavity searches on them.

44:30 - Kathie is pushed to the floor of the Warden's office by the Head Guard.

46:30 - Kathie is put back screaming into her cell.

50:00 - Spider drags the girls away with his arms around her neck.

53:00 - Tracy struggles as Buck attempts to rape her.

56:00 - A prisoner is taken to see the Warden who is in the bath. This is followed by some girls being taken to room 101, and then another shot of the warden and the girl.

62:00 - Gloria is released from the prison by Spider.

66:00 - Warden kissing Tracey and then slapping her as she attempts to escape.

70:00 - Tracey being carried away by two guards and being put in a cell. Kathie finding the other prisoners bodies, and Spider dragging Tracy away.

74:30 - Girl being attacked just before Dirk saves her.

76:00 - Tracy crying and being threatened by Spider with a stun gun.

77:30 - Girl being attacked in cell by guard.

80:30 - Warden telling guards to kill all the prisoners. Guards begin shooting girls in their cells.

82:45 - More of the girls shooting the girls.

83:00 - Dirk beats the prison guard (played by Ron Jeremy) to death. Missing is him getting his arm broken, his head smashed into the cell door, and finally Dirk stamping on his head.

84:45 - More of the guards shooting the girls.

90:00 - A whole scene is missing where Kathie goes back into the prison to find Rhonda. Spider is still alive. He pulls the object from his eye as the threatens Kathie. Rhonda eventually stabs him in the stomach with a pole. The scene ends with Tracy being taken away in an ambulance screaming.

 

Simon lists a running time of 94:50 NTSC for the uncut version. Presuming the Home Cinema Group VHS was an NTSC dub, then that is over fourteen minutes of missing footage. More likely is was PAL, which would equal over ten minutes of missing footage. Either way, it was a very censored tape.

 

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Caged Women

aka Barbed Wire Dolls

Directed by Jess Franco / 1975 / Switzerland / IMDb

In September 1976, a 2249.26-meter (82:13) print of CAGED WOMEN was banned for reasons of 'indecency and excessive violence'. An appeal to the Review Board failed in October 1976 when they confirmed the ban.

In November 1977, Blake Films were awarded an R-rating after censoring CAGED WOMEN down to 2022.30-meters (73:55). This print, missing over eight minutes, was released theatrically.

Even the daybill poster that Blake Films used was censored. A topless Lina Romay and her co-star had white bras painted on to conceal their breasts.

 

 

CAGED WOMEN: The indecency and excessive violence

Thanks to Matt for this review.

I will try to identify the scenes where I believe the eight minutes of ‘indecency and excessive violence’ were removed from. The print I viewed ran 80:58 (NTSC) and was reportedly uncut.

2m to 4m: Nestor has a girl chained by the neck begging for food. She is shown naked on all fours as he taunts her with his riding crop.

9m to 10m: Maria is tied face down and naked on a bed with no mattress. Electric shocks are applied as she screams. I believe this would have been censored.

13m to 13:40m: Nestor rubs a girl’s vagina. This is quite an explicit scene. It was most likely from here that the British Censor removed 41s, of ‘explicit sight of sexual activity (digital penetration)' from the 2004 Anchor Bay DVD. This would have definitely been removed by our censor back in 1977.

29:30 m to 35m: The Wardress makes Bertha bend over. She puts her hand between her legs and checks if she is a virgin. The scene continues until the Wardress makes Bertha beat her. This is a long scene, but if it was censored it would only have been minor.

36m to 37:30m: Bertha is tied naked by the neck like a dog. She begs to sleep, but Nestor stops her.

44m to 45m: Bertha masturbates in front of his Excellency.

47m to 49m: Maria’s father (Jess Franco) approaches her as she sleeps naked. He tries to force himself on her. There is nothing particularly explicit here, though the whole incest theme may have caused problems. BARBED WIRE DOLLS is a film worth watching if only for the hilarious mock slow motion fight between Maria and her father. Instead of filming it in actual slow motion, Franco simulates the whole thing!

52:45m to 54m: Maria is again shown tied face down and naked on a bed with no mattress. Electric shocks are applied as she screams. Nestor puts his riding crop between he legs. I believe this would have been censored.

75:30m to 77:30m: Another girl is shown naked and face down on the bed. Nestor threatens her with the riding crop unless she talks. The girl’s vagina is clearly shown in this scene, which would have made it a prime target for the censor.

78:45: Brief shot of Nestor raping Bertha before he is shot.

Image courtesy of moviemem.com

 

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Calamity of Snakes

Directed by Chi Chang / 1982 / Hong Kong / IMDb

June 1983 saw Golden Reel Films Pty Ltd submit a 2276.69 meter (83:13) print of CALAMITY OF SNAKES to the censors. Cuts totalling 140 meters (05:06) were required due to violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

The censored version then received an R-rating for violence and horror, which was described as being:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous
Other: Horror

This version went on to have a Chinese language theatrical release. Although not listed as such, it would be fair to guess that most of these cuts were made to remove footage of animal cruelty. The uncut film contains numerous scenes of real snakes being killed.

 

 

THE SERPENT WARRIORS M-Rated

In 1985, footage from CALAMITY OF SNAKES was taken and edited into a bizarre U.S. film called THE SERPENT WARRIORS. This was picked-up for distribution in Australia by the Taft Hardie Group who submitted it to the censors in August 1987. The 89m videotape was rated M for violence which was described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The CIC-TAFT Video/THG Video that followed actually ran 84:23. Approximately the first 20m and the final 30m are made up of footage from CALAMITY OF SNAKES. The middle portion consists of newly shot US footage. As you can expect, the two films do not mix at all, and the final movie is a mess.

The car reversing over real snakes was the only scene of animal cruelty from CALAMITY OF SNAKES that made it into THE SERPENT WARRIORS (1985).

 

 

CALAMITY OF SNAKES review

Thanks to Matt for this information.

CALAMITY OF SNAKES is a highly entertaining slice of Hong Kong trash. I viewed the Ocean Shores laser disc, which ran 82:44. The disc lacks English subtitles, but you do not really need them once the action begins.

I would agree that the Film Censorship Board would have cut the film for animal cruelty. Numerous real snakes are smashed, sliced, run over, torn to pieces, and burnt. The snakes are definitely real, and there is no doubt that they died just for the film.

These are the points where the footage appears.

05:30 to 07:00 – The workers on a construction site discover a mass of snakes in a pit. The Boss begins to kill them with by continually dropping the bucket of an excavator on top of them. The workers join in and begin to cut and smash the live snakes with axes and picks.

10:00 to 11:30 – A market a stall owner is shown slicing and skinning a live snake, draining its blood, and removing the still beating heart.

27:00 to 31:00 – Several mongooses are sent into battle. This scene goes on forever, and shows them attacking and killing the snakes.

36:00 – The priest stamps on and kills a real snake.

58:00 – The car reverses over real snakes.

71:00 to 72:00 – The Boss slices up snakes with a sword.

74:00 to end – The final scene has the fire department arriving at the apartment building. There are a few scenes where they kill the snakes with flamethrowers.

 

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Caligula: The Untold Story

Directed by Joe D'Amato / 1981 / Italy / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor released a censored print.

 

Video Classics had a 2605 meter (95:13) print of CALIGULA: THE UNTOLD STORY passed with an R-rating in February 1984. The same rating was awarded again for a 95m videotape in May 1984. The Video Classics tape that followed was the soft-version of the film and actually ran 90:49.

There is no way that the uncut version could have been released in Australia as it contains hardcore sex, and bestiality footage involving a horse.

 

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Campus

aka Vanilla Series: Campus

Produced by Shiyuuta Biwajima - Chikara Niki - Digital Works / 2002 / Japan / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because we suspect the distributor censored it prior to submission to the Classification Board.

 

Siren Visual Entertainment had a DVD of CAMPUS rated R18+ (High Level Sex Scenes) in December 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 GIRL NEXT DOOR.

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

We give full marks to Siren for admitting the cuts. Unfortunately, the Classification Board's statistics now record these as never having had censorship problems. This situation is widespread in the X18+ category.

 

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Cannibal Apocalypse

Directed by Antonio Margheriti / 1980 / Italy / IMDb

For reasons of violence, Roadshow had to remove 58s of footage from CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE before a 97m 35mm print was rated R in November 1981. This censored version went on to have a theatrical release.

Palace Explosive released this print on video in the early 80s. It was reviewed in 1984, and confirmed with an R-rating running 91:11. The censorship takes place around the 62m mark. Charlie is shown picking up a power saw, but the subsequent cutting of the victims leg is missing.

In the early 90s, a modified version of CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE played several times on Sydney's Channel Seven.

 

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Cannibal Ferox

aka Woman from Deep River

Directed by Umberto Lenzi / 1981 / Italy / IMDb

In March 1982, Superstar International Films received an R-rating for a 2454.14 meter (89:42) 35mm print of CANNIBAL FEROX. The film was re-titled WOMAN FROM DEEP RIVER in Australia to cash in on Umberto Lenzi's MAN FROM DEEP RIVER. Although not listed as such, this print had been pre-cut prior to submission, so had no problems with the censors.

They cited violence and drugs as the reason for the R-rating, describing them as being:

Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

Other
Drugs

Describing the violence in this print of CANNIBAL FEROX as being medium in explicitness and intensity is a big giveaway that it was censored.

 

 

Censored video releases

Video Classics released WOMAN FROM DEEP RIVER on video tape. A 90m version was reviewed by the censors in 1984, when they confirmed it with an R-rating. The actual runtime is 85:59, around three minutes shorter than the uncut film. Scenes missing from the Video Classics tape are as follows.

43:04- Close up of a native's eye being cut out by Mike.

51:46- Natives opening up Joe's stomach, eating his intestines, then turning and walking away.

54:35- Shot of Mike's penis being cut off.

54:56- Shot of Salvation Army Band playing in New York. Shot of car pulling up next to Mike's girlfriend, and two men getting out.
MG "Why do you want to meet out here?" "Did Mike send you?"
"Where is Mike?"
M1 "Don't worry Honey, you know very well where that son of a bitch is, and you're going to tell us"
M2 "Come on bitch, where's your stud?" He then hits her face twice.
MG "I don't know where Mike is"
M2 "Wrong answer" He then kicks her in the face.
MG "Lay off me you bastards"

75:04- Close up shot of the hook entering Pat's breast, and a shot of her face screaming.

77:57- Slow zoom into a shot of Pat hanging with the hooks through her breasts.

78:51- Shot of Mike under the table with the top of his head missing. Two cannibals then take pieces of his brain.

 

A second Australian VHS of WOMAN FROM DEEP RIVER was released in 1995 on a 'No Name Label'. Thanks to Ben for pointing out that it was censored, and ran 88m and not the 95m as listed on the box. However, it was not a direct copy of the Video Classics tape as it contains the missing scene described above at the 54:56 mark.

 

 

2005 customs confiscation

There is one report from 2005 of customs confiscating the Austrian Sazuma Productions Ultrabit Edition DVD. The reason given was:

"under subsection 203B(2) being goods suspected on reasonable grounds to be special fortified goods."

"[a]n authorised person believes person believes on reasonable grounds that the said goods are forfeited to the Crown pursuant to Section 229 of the Customs Act 1901. The above DVD is deemed to breach Regulation 4A(1A)(a) of the customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations.

 

 

2005 uncut DVD release

Siren Visual Entertainment gave CANNIBAL FEROX an uncensored DVD release in February 2005. This version was uncut at 88:57, and contained all of the above-mentioned scenes.

 

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Cannibal Holocaust

Directed by Ruggero Deodato / 1979 / Italy / IMDb

In 1983, Fox-Columbia Film Distribution had a 96m 35mm print of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST Refused Registration. A few months later another print, now censored down to 89m was also refused.

 

 

Programmed at the 2001 MUFF

In 2001, the Melbourne Underground Film Festival planned to show CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST at RMIT following a debate about censorship. It is unclear if it was screened.

Banned films to screen at festival
heraldsun.com.au, June 27, 2001

Eliza Anderson, of RMIT University Corporate Affairs, said the Melbourne Underground Film Festival had been asked to give assurances it would not show banned films Salo and Cannibal Holocaust.

However, late yesterday festival organisers and RMIT appeared to be locked in a stalemate over the issue.

In a statement voicing disapproval about screening the banned films, Anderson said yesterday: "All individuals and organisations that hire RMIT University venues are required to use them in line with all relevant laws and regulations."

Later Mr Wolstencroft said: "We knew we were probably going to run into trouble, but we are going to do our best to fight this, and bring public attention to censorship issues."

"It's a David and Goliath situation," Mr Wolstencroft said yesterday. "And the truth is Goliath always squashes David -- and we are David."

 

 

Customs Confiscations

Until it was passed uncut in 2005, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST was constantly targeted by the Australian Customs Service.

1992: We have a report of a video tape being forwarded to the OFLC, who confirmed that it was banned.

1998: A copy of the Dutch Cult Epics Laserdisc was confiscated.

2002: The Dutch EC Entertainment DVD was taken, the reason given was:
The above items are prohibited and subject to regulation 4A(1A)(A) of the customs (Prohibited Imports) regulations 1956

2002: In November, the OFLC banned the debut DVD release of U.S. Death Metal band Necrophagia. Titled NECROPHAGIA: THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD, it contains their tribute to CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. This Jim Van Bebber directed clip contains actual footage from the movie. This could possibly be one of the reasons for the disc being Refused Classification.

2004: Another copy of the Dutch EC Entertainment DVD, the reason given was:
An authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that the said goods are forfeited to the crown pursuant to sub-section 229(1)(b) of the Customs Act 1901 as a prohibited import.
Regulation 4A of the Customs (prohibited imports) Regulations provides that the importation of goods specified in Regulation 4A is prohibited unless the permission in writing of the minister or an authorised person to import the goods has been granted.

Mid 2000s: DVD confiscated, label unknown. The reason given was:
One DVD titled CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST depicting sexual violence.

2005: Another copy of the Dutch EC Entertainment DVD was taken, the reason given was:
1 x DVD Titled 'CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST' were seized under the following provisions of the Customs Act 1901 on the following ground:  Under Subsection 203B (2), Being goods suspected on reasonable grounds to be special forfeited goods.
The above DVD is deemed to breach regulation 4A (1A) (A) of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) regulations.

 

 

2005: Uncut at last

In October 2005, twenty-three years after the first submission, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST was finally passed for public exhibition in Australia. Siren Visual Entertainment were awarded an R18+ (High Level Sexual Violence, High Level Violence, Animal Cruelty) rating. The Australian Premiere took place in April 2006 when the uncut DVD was finally released.

Siren Newsletter April 2006
Cannibal Holocaust
Collectors edition: 2 Disc set featuring LOADS of special features, presented in a deluxe digipack & slipcase

Banned in Australia since the early 80's, for years reviled as one of the most repugnant and morally questionable films ever made, and possibly the most horrifying ever. A very original piece, later to be stolen by the writers of The Blair Witch Project, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST stands the test of time as the most brutal film ever made.

 

The two-disc Siren DVD was banned by the New Zealand OFLC in July 2006. It was deemed to be 'Objectionable'.

 

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Cartel

Directed by John Stewart / 1990 / USA / IMDb

In 1991, Video Distribution Company had a VHS tape of CARTEL banned by the OFLC. In January 1992, a censored version was passed with an R18+ (Medium level violence) rating in January 1992. Both the cut and uncut versions were listed as running 105m. The actual running time of the video tape released on the Hollywood Studios label was 91:22.

 

 

The censored footage

Thanks to Simon for this review and screencaps.

CARTEL was banned because of a scene where a gang of thugs raid a house containing the hero’s sister, nephew, and girlfriend. There is only a brief moment of sexual violence, but several other scenes were also removed. The distributor probably over cut the action because he did not want to resubmit it a third time. Not including the Cobra Entertainment Group title card, the uncut version ran 94:00.

 

Before – Donna runs to the door with Tommy. She opens it, and screams.

CENSORED 29:58 to 30:18 – The lead thug at the door says "Hello Donna". Another thug grabs Tommy. Donna struggles and shouts "Tommy, run". The lead thug slaps her down to the couch; he wipes his face, and shuts the door.

After – Nancy screams.

 

Before - Nancy knocks one of the thugs off the bonnet of the car.

CENSORED 30:29 to 31:20 – Nancy is chased and pulled to the ground. It then cuts to Donna struggling. The lead thug says, "I like it when you fight". It then cuts back to Nancy on the floor fighting with the thug. He slaps her around the face. She grabs a knife, stabs him in the side, and escapes. She runs passed Donna and the lead thug.

After - Nancy runs into the bathroom with her top ripped open.

 

Before - Donna smashes a vase on the lead thugs head and escapes. He gets up and chases after her.

CENSORED 31:55 to 31:56 – Brief shot of Nancy’s dress being ripped as she escapes through the door.

After – Continuation of Nancy escaping through door.

 

Before – The lead thug shoots Donna in the back and says "Bitch".

CENSORED 32:19 to 32:29 – Donna lying by the pool. One of the thugs holds Tommy by his feet over her. She grabs his hand as he is dragged away. She says "No".

After – Thug plunges knife into the door where Nancy is hiding.

 

Before – The thug is told to kill Tommy.

CENSORED 34:10 to 34:54 – Nancy rushes forward, but is slapped down on to the bed. Tommy cries "Mommy as he is taken away. The door is closed and a gunshot is heard. The thug comes back into the room holding Tommy’s toy train. Nancy is hysterical as she is held down on the bed by two thugs.

After /Before– Donna is shown alive by the pool.

CENSORED 35:01 to 35:24 – Nancy is topless on the bed with the lead thug on top of her. He kisses her body, and she spits in his face. Angered, he shouts "Fucking whore".

Note, that this is the only censored scene that could really be considered as sexual violence.

After - The thugs walk over the body of Tommy who opens his eyes. He closes them and pretends to be dead. We now understand that the thug has only pretended to shoot him.

 

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Christiane F.

Directed by Uli Edel / 1981 / West Germany / IMDb

Fox Columbia first submitted CHRISTIANE F. in a 'German Language, English subtitled version' in March 1982. This 3589 meter (131:11) 35mm print was passed with an R-rating after cuts. The reason given for the deletions was 'Sexual Activity Involving a Minor'. It looks like the distributor was seeking an M-rating as an appeal was made to the Review Board. In March 1982, they confirmed the R-rating decision of the censors.

Fox Columbia submitted CHRISTIANE F. again in May 1982, and was again awarded an R-rating. The print ran 3456.18 meters (126:19), and this time was described as the 'pre-censor cut English dubbed version'. Still seeking the M-rating, they again appealed to the Review Board, who in June 1982 again confirmed the R-rating of the censors.

In July 1982, a third version was again rated R. This print ran 3520.30 meters (128:40) and was described as 'English Language pre-censor cut version no.2'. This time there was no appeal to the Review Board and the film was released. It looks like at this point Fox Columbia had accepted the fact that it was going to be an R-rated film. The cut footage seems to have been reinstated, as this submission was longer than the previous one.

Roadshow Home Video released CHRISTIANE F. on tape in 1983. It ran 123:09 (PAL) and was the horribly dubbed English Language version. It was approximately the same length as the 'English Language pre-censor cut version no.2'.

CHRISTIANE F. made its Australian DVD premiere in 2002 courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment. This was the German Language version and ran 125:46 (PAL).

 

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City of the Living Dead

aka Gates of Hell

Directed by Lucio Fulci / 1980 / Italy / IMDb

Anticipating problems with the Censorship Board, in 1981 Hoyts Distribution pre-cut CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD before submission. This 2459.62 meter (89:54) 35mm print, described as a 'pre-censor cut version', was rated R in October 1981. However, it was only after the removal of a further 9 meters (20s) by the Censorship Board. The reason for the deletion was violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

 

 

Censored video releases

Two censored videotapes were released in Australia. One in the early 80s on K&C Video (87:55), and the other in the mid-80s, under the title GATES OF HELL, on Infinity Video Sales (86:06).

The two most famous gore scenes have definitely been censored from both tapes.

30m approx-The girl vomiting up her guts has been shortened, as has the scene of her boyfriend having his brain torn out.

55m approx-The scene of Bob having his head drilled has been removed.

There are very possibly more cuts that need to be documented.

The stills on the back of the Infinity Video Sales come from Camp Video's release of NIGHTMARE HOUSE (1969).

 

 

Uncut DVD release

CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD made its Australian DVD debut in February 2005 courtesy of Siren Visual Entertainment. At 88:52, this version was fully uncut.

 

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Class of Nuke 'Em High

Directed by Richard W. Haines, Michael Herz, and Lloyd Kaufman / 1986 / USA / IMDb

CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH was banned by the Censorship Board in 1986. An appeal was made to the Review Board who cleared it with an R-rating.

 

Film Board of Review
8 January 1987

"The film presents a black comedy in the horror genre, based loosely on an accident at a nuclear plant and the cumulative contamination of a nearby high school, contributing to the breakdown of discipline, together with mutations and derangement experienced by various students. Mr Peter Sweeny attended before the screening, to put the case for appeal

The Film Board of Review noted the film's anti-social tone, its uninformed depiction of the consequences of nuclear contamination and its relative explicit, detailed and gratuitous violence. While these elements were given careful consideration, it was felt that the impact of the film's clearly artificial special effects was mitigated by its gross exaggeration and tone of black humour.

Accordingly, the Films Board of Review was unanimous in upholding the appeal, and in tits consideration that, since the content may be offensive to some sections of the community, the decision of the Censorship Board should be set aside and the film be classified "For Restricted Exhibition" ("R").

The Films Board of Review therefore directs the Film Censorship Board to register CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH with a "For Restricted Exhibition" ("R") classification.

 

With the ban overturned, and an 83m tape print rated R, Virgin Video went ahead and released it on tape. Thanks to Stephen F. for the cover scan.

Two months later, Newvision Film Distributors had an 82m 35mm print banned. It is unclear why this happened considering that it had been cleared by the Review Board.

 

 

 

Troma Intelligence Test problems

In October 2000, Tribe Enterprises received an RC-rating from the OFLC for a proposed DVD. The problem was not the film, but a DVD extra called THE TROMA INTELLIGENCE TEST.

In May 2005, a DVD version was reclassified 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 was written:

"Troma Intelligence Test and Trailers are not available on the Australian version of Class of Nuke' Em High"

See our separate database entry for the TROMA INTELLIGENCE TEST for an explanation as to why it was dropped.

 

 

Jigsaw Entertainment Re-release DVD

In September 2010, CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH was re-released on DVD by Jigsaw Entertainment, through Gryphon Entertainment.

According to this review at Michael D's R4 DVD Info Page, the disc contains the TROMA INTELLIGENCE TEST.

Troma Interactivity: Although on the DVD cover and the menu, this feature which includes the Troma Intelligence Test and Tour of Troma Studios cannot be accessed from the menu. It is however on the DVD; use the remote to access the chapters.

 

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Color Me Blood Red

Directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis / 1965 / USA / IMDb

In May 1985, Palace Video had a 79m videotape of COLOR ME BLOOD RED banned because of excessive violence. The planned release on the Palace Explosive label was abandoned.

At the same time, the Censorship Board did not consider BLOOD FEAST (1963) and 2000 MANIACS (1964) to be excessively violent and passed them with R-ratings. They both appeared on the Palace Explosive label. Quite why these were passed and COLOR ME BLOOD RED banned is quite a mystery. This is after all arguably the tamest and dullest of the blood trilogy.

Thanks to Stephen F for sending in a scan of the Palace Explosive's Catalogue of Horror, which promotes COLOR ME BLOOD RED as 'Coming Soon'.

 

 

Featured in TERROR ON TAPE (1983)

Two months before the ban, scenes from COLOR ME BLOOD RED were shown in the TERROR ON TAPE (1983) compilation. This was banned by the Censorship Board in March 1985. Clips from two scenes were shown, the girl killed by a knife in the head, and the dead woman tied up with her guts hanging out.

 

 

2005: Uncut on DVD

A DVD of COLOR ME BLOOD RED was finally passed R18+ (Medium Level Violence) in February 2005. The applicant was Siren Visual Entertainment who gave the film a belated Australian premiere soon after. A few days later the OFLC showed how little they had really changed when they reconfirmed a ban on H.G. Lewis's final film, THE GORE GORE GIRLS (1972).

 

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Combat Shock

Directed by Buddy Giovinazzo / 1986 / USA / IMDb

COMBAT SHOCK was first passed in October 1986 when a 93m 'edited version' was awarded an R-rating. The following month a 100m tape was Refused Classification. Both were submitted by Delta Home Video.

The reason given for the ban was violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

Two versions were released by Delta Home Video; one ran 93:40, and the other 95:13. Both have exactly the same cover art, and both list a 105m running time on the spine.

 

 

DVD premiere from Jigsaw Entertainment

In March 2011, COMBAT SHOCK was released on DVD by Jigsaw Entertainment, through Gryphon Entertainment. It was described as a '2-Disc Uncut 25th Anniversary Edition'.

 

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Confessions of a Blue Movie Star

aka Evolution of Snuff

Directed by Andrzej Kostenko and Karl Martine / 1977/ Germany / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor released a censored print.

 

Roadshow had an 84m print of EVOLUTION OF SNUFF passed with an R-rating in 1977. It was originally titled THE EVOLUTION OF SNUFF, though later in its Australian theatrical release it was changed to CONFESSIONS OF A BLUE MOVIE STAR. The film contains footage from Wes Craven's THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT that is presented as being from a real snuff movie.

In the mid 90s, a local video distributor began importing U.K. prints of films, packaging them as adult titles, and releasing them with fake R-ratings. These were put out on labels such as Blue Climax, Private and Colour Climax (see also THE NAKED WEREWOLF WOMAN). All were very tame affairs; cut by the British censors, with some still having 18-ratings before the movie. CONFESSIONS OF A BLUE MOVIE STAR was one such title, put out on the Private label and running 71:27. Compare this with the 79:08 running time of the UK Intervision tape from the early 80s and you can see how much footage (including all of THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT clips) was missing.

 

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Confessions of a Serial Killer

Directed Mark Blair / 1985 / USA / IMDb

In 1994, Eagle Entertainment had an 89m VHS of CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL KILLER Refused Classification. It was censored down to 87m and awarded an R18+ (High Level Violence) rating in April 1994. This cut version was released on tape by Eagle Entertainment and ran 87:11. Although the film was undoubtedly censored, it is not obvious from which scenes footage had been removed.

Another film that dealt with the story of Henry Lee Lucas was HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER, a title that also had Australian censorship problems in the early-90s.

 

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Convoy of Women

Directed by Pierre Chevalier / 1974 / France-Italy / IMDb

Palace Video had an 86m version of this Eurociné's CONVOY OF WOMEN banned in 1986 for reasons of 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

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Cool Devices

Directed by Kan Matsuda, Yuma Nakamura, Jiroh Hijikata, Yukihiro Makino / 1995 / Japan / IMDb

There is a report of a DVD box set of all eleven episodes of this notorious hentai title being seized by customs in 2001. Disc 1 (episode 1-4) and disc 3 (episode 9-11) were released. Disc 2, containing episodes 5 to 8 was reportedly Refused Classification due to sexual violence.

The individual episodes (called Operations) are titled:

• OPERATION 5: SEEK 1
• OPERATION 6: SEEK 2 (SM QUEEN SAKI)
• OPERATION 7: YELLOW STAR
• OPERATION 8: SLAVE WARRIOR MAYA 1

NuTech Digital, the U.S. distributors describe this volume as the most notorious of the entire series.

 

 

2007 R18+ DVD release

Siren Visual Entertainment had a DVD titled COOL DEVICES rated R18+ (High level animated sex scenes, High level themes) on July 19th 2007. It was released as COOL DEVICES VOLUME 1 in October 2007, and contains:

• OPERATION 1 - CURIOUS FRUIT (title on program). Directed by Osamu Shimokawa. Running time 27:45
• OPERATION 2 - SACRED GIRL (title on program). Directed by Megumi Saki. Running time 25:22

 

Siren Visual Entertainment also had COOL DEVICES PART 2 - EPISODES 3 TO 6 (this is the title in the OFLC records) rated R18+ (High level animated sex scenes, high level themes) on August 28th 2007. It was released as COOL DEVICES VOLUME 2 in November 2007, and contains:

• OPERATION 3A - LOVER DOLL (title is LOVE DOLL on DVD menu). On the actual program no title is given. Directed by Hiroshi Matsuda. Running time 07:18
• OPERATION 3B - WINTER SWIMSUIT (title is SWIMSUIT on the DVD menu). On the actual program only the words FUYUNO MIZUGI are shown. Running time 05:12
• OPERATION 10 - BINDING (title is BINDING on the DVD menu and program). Directed by Hiro Asano. Running time 23:55
• OPERATION 11 - FALLEN ANGEL RINA (title is FALLEN ANGEL on the DVD menu). The title on the program is IDOL FALLEN ANGEL RINA. Directed by Kouji Yoshikawa. Running time 24:09

 

Siren's website gave the following warning for their HENTAI COLLECTION.

The Siren Hentai Collection is the best Hentai anime sourced from around the world. Wherever possible titles have been presented uncut, but due to the graphic nature of the content, sometimes cuts have been made in order to comply with local government laws.

Despite COOL DEVICES being passed in their 'Original Versions', this does not mean that Siren did not pre-cut them before submission.

 

What we can say with certainty is that Siren has not released any of the following. These include some of the most notorious episodes in the series.

• OPERATION 3C: ENEMA
• OPERATION 4: KIREI
• OPERATION 5: SEEK 1
• OPERATION 6: SEEK 2 (SM QUEEN SAKI)
• OPERATION 7: YELLOW STAR
• OPERATION 8: SLAVE WARRIOR MAYA 1
• OPERATION 9: SLAVE WARRIOR MAYA 2

 

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Corruption

Directed by Robert Hartford-Davis / 1967 / UK / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor released a censored print.

 

The OFLC passed CORRUPTION in August 1989 with an M (Adult concepts, Occasional violence) rating in a print running 87:19.

This was shot in two versions, a harder Continental cut, and a softer one with no nudity. The latter version was the one that RCA/Columbia Home Video released in Australia.

The Continental version shows Peter Cushing stabbing a topless prostitute, and then smearing blood over her breasts.  In the Australian release, she is fully clothed.

 

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Country Cuzzins

Directed by Bethel G. Buckalew / 1970 / USA / IMDb

In December 1973, a 2573:00-meter (94:03) print of COUNTRY CUZZINS was banned because of ‘indecency’. The same month saw the Refused Registration rating confirmed by the Review Board. Filmways Australasia was the applicant.

In June 1976, Filmways were awarded an R-rating for a 2180.80-meter (79:42) ‘reconstructed version’. This censored print, missing fourteen minutes, played theatrically in Australia.

 

 

Banned K&C Video tapes

In May 1981, K&C Video had a 90m tape of COUNTRY CUZZINS banned because of sex. This was described as being:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

At the same time, the Censorship Board banned four other K&C Video tapes for the same reason. These were Bethel Buckalew’s THE DIRTY MIND OF YOUNG SALLY, SOUTHERN COMFORTS, TOBACCO ROODY, and Barry J. Spinello’s MASSAGE PARLOR WIFE. All are covered in our Film Censorship Database.

A censored version of Bethel Buckalew’s MIDNITE PLOWBOY was released by K&C Video.

In July 1981, K&C Video also had a tape of THE TAKERS banned.

 

 

COUNTRY CUZZINS review

Thanks to Carlos for this review.

The 2002 U.S. DVD of COUNTRY CUZZINS from Something Weird runs 89:36 and appears to be uncut. However, this does not square with the 94:03 print that you said was banned in 1973.

The scene from 72 to 73m of  Jeeter having sex with a girl is as graphic as it gets. She sits on top of him and we get a glimpse of what looks like a semi-erection. However, to find another fourteen minutes of softcore sex to cut just goes to prove how out of touch the Censorship Board was at the time.

Image courtesy of moviemem.com

 

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Criminally Insane

Directed by Steve Millard / 1975 / USA / IMDb

In April 1980, Astral Distributing submitted a 1717.17 meter (62:11) 35mm print of CRIMINALLY INSANE for classification.  It was passed with an R-rating following the removal of 45s of gratuitous, infrequent, high intensity violence.
 

Thanks to Chris for this review.

In the U.S., Shock-O-Rama Cinema released CRIMINALLY INSANE on DVD in 2006.  These are all of the graphic moments in the film.  The 45s censored from the Australian version would have come from some of these scenes.

11:00 approx - Ethel stabbing her Gran in the back and in the hand to get the key.

16:30 approx – Ethel stabs the delivery in the stomach with a broken bottle.

29:00 approx - Ethel beating the Doctor over the head with a candle stick.

42:30 approx – Ethel killing Rosalie and her boyfriend with a machete.  This is probably the most graphic scene in the film.

55:00 approx - Ethel dismembering the bodies.

These scenes may sound graphic, however, they are so badly done that the impact is diluted. All of the gore from the film has been edited down into a clip for the band SLAYER, who have a song called CRIMINALLY INSANE. This can easily be found on YouTube.

The Shock-O-Rama Cinema DVD is uncut and runs 61:54.

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Crying Freeman: Chapter 5 - The Impersonator

Directed by Harunisa Okamoto / 1992 / Japan / IMDb

Crying Freeman: Chapter 6 - The Russian Connection

Directed by Shigemori Yamauchi / 1993 / Japan / IMDb

In 1995, Siren Entertainment had to censor this CRYING FREEMAN double-bill video tape from 101 to 100m in order to gain an R18+ (Medium Level Violence and Sex Scenes) rating.

The actual running time for both chapters was 99:46. Individually, THE IMPERSONATOR ran 49:24, and THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION 50:22.

It is unclear what was cut, and if footage was removed from one or both episodes. According to the excellent Melon Farmers website, in the UK the BBFC objected to the scene in THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION where Tsuaike masturbates Tanya with a gun. The scene appears in the Australian tape at around the 20m point and does not appear to be toned down.

This censored version was released in Australia on the Manga Video label.

 

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Cry of a Prostitute

Directed by Adelchi Bianchi / 1974 / Italy / IMDb

House of Dare had a 2246.5 meter (82:07) print of CRY OF A PROSTITUTE Refused Registration in December 1980. The reason given for the ban was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

A reconstructed pre-censor cut version running 2377.00 meters (86:53) was passed with an R-rating in July 1981. The reason given was violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

 

Thanks to Matt G for this brief review of the film:

I recently watched the Joseph Brenner release of CRY OF A PROSTITUTE which I assume was the same version that was submitted to the Australian censors. The 82m 31s print was a bit choppy during the credits (the title was missing), but all the violence was intact. The film contains various scenes of guys getting shot in the head, and stomach, which involve lots of blood squibs. At one point (36m) Tony bashes a guys head in with a rock then runs over him with a road roller (non graphically). The Australian Censors would definitely not have liked the scene at 44m when Tony rapes Margie, or at 59m where he beats her with a belt then rapes her. The violence was probably RC back in 1981, but would easily get passed these days.

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Cut and Run

Directed by Ruggero Deodato / Italy / 1985 / IMDb

In October 1985, CBS/FOX had a 90m version of CUT AND RUN Refused Classification, the reason given was violence which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

It was passed with an R-rating in January 1986, with a quoted running time of 85m. The actual running time of the VHS that CBS/Fox released was 83:48.

This is an interesting release as it was filmed in two different versions. A hard one that contained nudity and extreme violence, and a soft one that clothed the once naked women and removed or substituted alternative footage to tone down the violence. For its initial VHS release the UK, USA, and Australia, got the soft version, and Italy and Japan the hard version.

Schnittberichte has a comparison between the Australian CBS/Fox soft version and the hard version released by CMV LaserVision.

The running time of the CBS/Fox version was the same as that passed by the BBFC in 1985. The shorter version, with alternative footage is conformed as having a running time of 83:48 (PAL). We presume the 90m version that was Refused Classification in 1985 was the hard version.

Other films by Ruggero Deodato that had problems in Australia include CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, THE LAST CANNIBAL WORLD, and THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK. All are covered in our database.

 

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Next Films: Caligula (1979)

 

 

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