Film Censorship: M

---

 

 

 

 

Madam X

Directed by Unknown / 19?? / Japan

In November 1986, a 1309.00-meter (47:51) 35mm print of MADAM X was Refused Registration because of 'gratuitous sexual violence'. Yu Enterprises were the applicant.

A censored version was passed with an R-rating in February 1987. The reason given was sex, which was described as being:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The R-rated running time was 1206.92 meters (44:07); meaning nearly four minutes of footage had been removed.

 

At the same time, Yu Enterprises had similar problems with another Japanese film titled SADISTIC WHORE. This too was banned and eventually censored. Both would have no doubt screened at Raymond Yu's Chinese language Australia Cinema in Sydney.

---

 

 

 

 

Mad Foxes

Directed by Paul Grau / 1981 / Spain - Switzerland / IMDb

In August 1982, an 80m 35mm print of MAD FOXES was Refused Registration because of violence, which was described as being:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

Filmways Australasia was the applicant.

 

The uncut Dutch VHS released by Film Service Holland ran 76:17. Two or three of the following scenes would have been responsible for the Australian ban.

At 12m: The rape of Babs.

At 21m: The castration of the biker.

At 54m: The murder of the family and their maid.

---

 

 

 

 

Madhouse

Directed by Ovidio G.Assonitis / 1981 / Italy / IMDb

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

 

In November 1985, Roadshow Home Video had a cut version of MADHOUSE passed with an M-rating. The running time was 88:04, which compares to 89:16 for the uncut UK Medusa tape.

It is unclear why this censored print was submitted as there was little that would have prevented it receiving an uncut R-rating. With all the gore removed, MADHOUSE plays like a bad TV movie.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Man Behind the Sun

Directed by T.F.Mous / 1988 / Hong Kong / IMDb

In March 1989 a 104m 35mm print of MAN BEHIND THE SUN was banned in Australia because of 'extreme cruelty'.

 

 

Review Board Appeal

In April 1989, Yu Enterprises successfully appealed against the ban to the Board of Review who awarded it an R-rating.

Here is what they concluded in reaching their decision.

The Film Censorship Board's decision to refuse registration was taken under Regulation 13(1)(a) of the Customs (Cinematograph Film) Regulations on the grounds that the film contained scenes of excessive violence and extreme cruelty. The film was made in Hong Kong; the dialogue is sub-titled in English.

Before viewing the film the Board of Review heard submissions from Mr Raymond Yu (representing the importers of the film) and My Geoff Gardner (representing the Australian distributors, Ronin Films) . The applicants informed the Board that the film was a factual and accurate depiction of incidents in China during World War 2, and had been approved for screening in South East Asia and the US as well as the Berlin Film Festival. A written submission from the applicants was also considered.

Man Behind the Sun contains scenes depicting medical experiments alleged to have been conducted by a unit of the Japanese army on Chinese and Russian prisoners of war. The existence of the unit itself -codenamed 731-is well attested; it is known to have conducted experiments on living prisoners under the direction of Dr Ishii. The film includes historical footage of the war in China and the remains of the prison camp where the experiments took place. Most of the incidents portrayed are seen through the eyes of the recruits to the youth corps of the Japanese army. The experiments themselves are presented in horrific detail at intervals throughout the film: sub-titles purporting to give the dates of the experiments and the names of the victims appear on screen.

The Board of Review was divided on this appeal. The guidelines for film classification prohibit 'unduly detailed and/or relished acts of extreme violence or cruelty'. That the violence in Man Behind the Sun is both detailed and extreme cannot be denied; whether it is 'unduly detailed', whether the acts can be said to be 'relished', is open to question. Man Behind the Sun is ostensibly, and at least in part, a documentary. The question therefore arises: what constitutes undue detail in a documentary about war and its atrocities?

The Board took the view that the word 'unduly' in the context allows- and was intended to allow-a certain flexibility in the interpretation of the guidelines, particularly in cases where the presentation of violent acts may be thought to be justified by the intentions of the film and the circumstances in which the act is committed. A majority concluded that in a film specifically concerned with documented instances of atrocities and inhumanity, depictions of extreme cruelty can be justified, and may indeed be necessary to the filmmaker's purposes. In considering Man Behind the Sun, the majority took account of the film's strong anti-war message and the reaction of most of the characters in the film to the experiments they are forced to witness. Far from suggesting 'relish', the film provokes-and depicts-a powerful sense of revulsion.

A minority of the Board of Review nevertheless agreed strongly with the majority of the Film Censorship Board that the incidents depicted are so gross in their nature and in their power to disturb that the film should be refused classification. Whether the incidents actually happened in the way the film depicts the Board is unable to say. On this point the majority were prepared to accept the filmmakers claims in good faith; enough is known of the historical background to these events to suggest that the portrayal of particular incidents is not exaggerated. The further point was made that it is not unusual for horror films to show the dissection and mutilation of living bodies, and if such depictions are acceptable in horror films as a form of entertainment, it is difficult to insist that they are less acceptable in films of historical events-even if the exact nature of those events is open to question, and the films themselves are of a commercial character. The line is not easy to draw; but a majority of the Board of Review was prepared in this case to give the benefit of the doubt to the applicant, and resolved to direct that Man Behind the Sun be registered and classified 'R' (for Restricted Audiences). 6 April 1989"

 

 

Canberra RSPCA protest

Geoff Gardner served as a member of the Films Board of Review, and later wrote submissions for distributors. In 1989, he prepared a submission for Yu Enterprises in THE MAN BEHIND THE SUN case.

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
filmalert.blogspot.com, April 18, 2010

After my tenure was not renewed my services were availed of on a number of occasions to write submissions on behalf of distributors who thought a crummy classification decision had been made about their investments. One such was a distributor and exhibitor of Hong Kong movies who had paid a fair bit upfront to acquire the rights to a film called The Man Behind the Sun, an earnest, vulgar and extremely graphic account of the activities of the infamous Japanese medical experiments carried out on Chinese slaves during the 1939-45 War. One of the encyclopaedists has since described the film as a ‘revoltingly explicit dramatization of the war crimes Japanese soldiers and scientists perpetrated on their Chinese captives.’ Too true.

Notwithstanding the unedifying content, the distributor had paid his money upfront and didn’t have a chance of getting it back if the film were banned. The Appeals Board, which included my old friend the late Keith Connolly let the film through and the distributor did quite nicely out of it, screening it to a mostly Chinese clientele in a Chinatown cinema. The film didn’t travel well however. Electric Shadows Cinema in Canberra, noting this success, put it on to dismal business and yanked it after a week. About the only attention it attracted was from the RSPCA who rang to say that they heard there was a scene in it when live rats were set on fire. This is so said the cinema management, explaining that rats were used by the Japanese to develop anthrax spores. The RSPCA advised that they would be contacting the Canberra Times and organising a protest outside the cinema if the film were not taken off. The cinema management asked what time they proposed to be there so that he could ensure that the rest of the media were also alerted. The RSPCA then thought better of it and allowed the film to disappear quietly.

 

 

Uncut VHS release

In March 1992, a company called 1st Call Video Rights had a 100m English dubbed version passed with an R18+ (Graphic re-enactments of war atrocities) rating.

Later in 1992 Eagle Entertainment released an uncut 100:37 (PAL) VHS as MEN BEHIND THE SUN. The tape was made available in a subtitled version, as well an English dub.

The cover played up the controversy surrounding the film by advertising it as:

The film they wanted to ban.....Uncut Version

 

 

Censor problems for sequel and Director

In 1992, the sequel, LABORATORY OF THE DEVIL, was banned in Australia. It was finally passed in an uncut version in 2004.

T,F. Mous, the Director of MAN BEHIND THE SUN, had his previous feature LOST SOULS banned by the Australian Censors in 1981.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Man Bites Dog

Directed by Rémy Belvaux - André Bonzel - Benoît Poelvoorde / 1992 / Belgium / IMDb

In February 1993, a 92m 35mm print of MAN BITES DOG was banned because of 'sexual violence'.

In March 1993, Newvision Film Distributors received an R18+ (High level violence) rating for a censored 91m version. It was print that played theatrically in Australia.

 

Here is how OFLC described the reasons for the ban in their 1992 to 1993 Annual Report.

"The Belgian film Man Bites Dog, was refused registration for one sequence of sexual violence, involving a graphic gang rape, considered indecent within the meaning of the Customs (Cinematograph Films) Regulations. After substantial editing of this sequence the film was given an 'R' classification with a consumer advice of 'high level violence'."

 

 

MAN BITES DOG: The censored scene

The VHS release from 21st Century Pictures ran 93:58 (NTSC). It was missing the following scene.

Before - Ben bursts into the room where we see a naked couple, who then scream and try and run away.

CENSORED AT 65:04 (107s missing) - Ben singing whilst holding a gun to the head of the man, whilst both the filmmakers rape the girl. Ben then takes over raping the girl, whilst asking the man what her name is. The next shot is of a slow pan over the disemboweled body of the woman.

After - As soon as she is out of shot then the Australian version starts again with the shot of the dead man sitting in the sink.

 

 

Censored TV and DVD

The World Movies channel has also screened the censored version. When MAN BITES DOG premiered on SBS, it was further censored to achieve an MA15+ rating.

 

Siren released MAN BITES DOG on DVD in 2001. It contained the same Australian censored version and ran 94:00 (NTSC). The missing rape scene should have taken place at 65:06.

 

---

 

 

 

 

The Man from Deep River

Directed by Umberto Lenzi / 1972 / Italy / IMDb

In September 1973, a 2499:00-meter (91:20) 35mm print of THE MAN FROM DEEP RIVER was passed with an R-rating. House of Dare was the applicant. Although it was not listed as being pre-censored, the running time indicates that it was.

 

Thanks to Brendan for the following information regarding the original theatrical release.

I saw MAN FROM DEEP RIVER and I can confirm that the print screening in Melbourne was totally uncut. I was quite surprised to see how explicit it was. When I saw it on VHS it was cut to ribbons. Sometimes back then, if a film was on in the city and at the drive-ins, the prints would differ ,with not all copies conforming to the authorised cut print.

I'm thinking that extra prints may have been sourced from outside Australia and sometimes one was lucky enough to get an uncut print of a film which was censored in Australia (I saw 3 different versions of ZOMBIE at the drive-ins and all contained more than the initial VHS release). So I'm not sure if the version of MAN FROM DEEP RIVER screening in Melbourne was uncut by accident or passed uncut by the censor. The rest in the series were all cut so I'm thinking I may have just struck luck in 1974!

 

 

Australian Video and DVD releases

In the early 80s, Video Classics released a heavily cut 86:52 version of MAN FROM DEEP RIVER on tape. This was reviewed by the Censorship Board in February 1984 and confirmed with an R-rating.

The uncut UK pre-cert released by Derann ran 89:25, which indicates that the Video Classics tape was missing 02:33 of footage.

In the late 2000s, bootleg copies of the uncut (93:06 NTSC) U.S. Shriek Show release appeared in stores and markets that sell cheap DVDs. Apart from an added R18+ rating logo, the cover was the same as the Shriek Show disc. Thanks to Glenn for the cover scan and time.

 

 

Video Classics vs. Uncut version

Thanks to Chris for this comparison.

I compared my old Video Classics tape of MAN FROM DEEP RIVER to the uncut version and spotted the following cuts.

Video Classics – 86:52 (PAL)
Uncut - 93:11 (NTSC) equivalent to 89:27 (PAL)

20:10 – Two natives have their tongues cut off.

37:52 – The first native stops having sex with the widow. He gets off, and she is shown lying naked before another native gets on top and starts having sex.

52:35 – Shot of the monkey having the top of its head sliced off. The brain eating remains.

60:52 to 61:23 – John gets on top of the naked Maraya and they kiss.

64:56 to 65:34 – Maraya strips naked, and gets on top of John. They start having sex.

66:02 – Some of the crocodile killing has been censored, although the VC version does show quite a lot. Umberto Lenzi reused this scene in his EATEN ALIVE (1980). I do not know if it was complete in Video Classic’s release of that film.

70:47 – All shots of the cannibals lying on top of the native girl and raping her.

72:31 – John watching on as the cannibals eat the body of the native girl. Again, Lenzi reused this scene for EATEN ALIVE (1980). I do not know if it was complete in Video Classic’s release of that film.

74:05 – John cutting off the cannibal’s tongue.

77:25 – Brief cut to the shot of the old native woman having her hand cut off.

87:13 – The goat having its throat cut. The VC tape shows the start of the scene.

 

It is odd that a couple of the sex scenes have been cut, as they really are quite tame. Equally strange is that the croc and goat killing has been shortened, but the mongoose vs. cobra (also edited into EATEN ALIVE), and the cockfight look intact.

 

 

CANNIBAL FEROX and EATEN ALIVE were two other Umberto Lenzi cannibal films that had censorship problems in Australia.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Maniac

Directed by William Lustig / 1980 / USA / IMDb

In May 1981, House of Dare had a 2397.1-meter (87:37) print of MANIAC banned by the Censorship Board.

An appeal to the Review Board in July 1981 was unsuccessful.

A 2370.1-meter (86:38) censored version was submitted in November 1981, but was again banned.

A second censored version running 2346.9-meters (85:47) was eventually passed with an R-rating in April 1982.

The whole process took eleven months, in which time MANIAC lost 110 seconds of footage.

 

 

1983: Customs confiscation

In 1983, a videotape of an uncut MANIAC was seized by customs. The reason given was that it was a prohibited import.

 

 

1984: MANIAC: Censored Video Classics tape

In July 1984, Video Classics had an 85m videotape passed with an R-rating. The true running time of the heavily censored tape was 82:11.

 

 

1986: Uncut footage passed with R-rating

In April 1986, SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1: TOM SAVINI was passed with an R-rating. The tape contained scenes from the MANIAC that the Censorship Board had banned only a few years earlier. The footage includes:

• 14:25- The scalping of the hooker, this is followed by the death scene of the boy on the beach.
• 16:01 - The stabbing of the nurse.
• 49:08 - The shotgun head explosion.
• 51:20 - Frank's death scene.

See our separate entry for SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1: TOM SAVINI for further information on this title.

 

 

DVD Australia import

In 2003, a company called DVD Australia began importing U.S. Anchor Bay DVDs.

MANIAC was one of the titles that they picked up. This release was not submitted to the Classification Board.

 

 

2004: Passed Uncut!

In June 2004, Umbrella Entertainment submitted MANIAC to the Classification Board. It was passed with an R18+ (Strong violence) rating, and was released on DVD in March 2005. This was the theatrical version, with a running time of 87:51 (NTSC).

This was re-released by Umbrella Entertainment in February 2008. It was part of a so-called VIDEO NASTIES box set, which also included BASKET CASE, and THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT.

 

MANIAC: Video Classics vs. Umbrella Entertainment

The following is a comparison of the cut Video Classics tape against the uncut Umbrella Entertainment DVD.

It is not an exact check, so there may be some more small cuts that have been missed.

The time quoted refers to the point in the DVD where footage was censored from the tape release.

* Indicates that part or this entire scene is shown in SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1: TOM SAVINI.

 

DEATH ON THE BEACH

1:30 Approx.
The girl having her throat cut with a knife, and a shot of her bloody hand.

2:30 Approx *
The boy having a metal cord pulled tight around his throat until blood appears.

 

SCALPING OF THE HOOKER

16:00 Approx *
In the Video Classics tape we see the start of the scalping, but it cuts before showing the full thing.

 

HEAD EXPLOSION

29:15 Approx *
Tom Savini's head explosion is intact. However, the lingering shots of the aftermath (between shots of the girl's bloody face) is missing.

 

STABBING OF THE NURSE

47:15 Approx *
Shot of the knife exiting her chest.

 

DEATH OF RITA

67:30 Approx
Missing from the Video Classics tape are the shots of Frank moving the knife over her bare chest, pressing it down, and finally stabbing her.

 

FRANK'S DEATH

82:00 Approx *
Frank's arm being chopped off. Shot of the decapitated corpse with blood coming from the neck. Frank having his head torn off.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Man of Iron

Directed by Cheh Chang - Hsueh Li Pao / 1972 / Hong Kong / IMDb

In April 1974, a 3000.67-meter (109:40) print of Shaw Brother’s MAN OF IRON was banned because of 'excessive violence'. It was re-submitted in July 1974 in a censored version that ran 2694.98-meters (98:10). However, this too was Refused Registration.

MAN OF IRON was finally passed with an R-rating in October 1974. The censor described the 2666.54-meters (97:28) print as the '2nd reconstructed version'. Oriental Pictures Company went on to release this theatrically. The twelve minutes of cuts removed the 'excessive violence'.

 

 

Thanks to Simon for this information.

Celestial Pictures released MAN OF IRON on DVD in 2006. This Hong Kong disc runs 94:34 (NTSC). However, the time is fifteen minutes shorter than the original submission to our Censorship Board. This discrepancy is odd, as all the Celestial discs claim to be 'fully restored from the original film'.

The fights and knife violence are non-stop, and there is plenty of that famous Shaw Brothers blood on display. It would be impossible to identify any one scene that would have been cut, as the violence never lets up.

MAN OF IRON is a sequel of sorts to THE BOXER FROM SHANTUNG (1972). The 125m version of which was passed by the OFLC with an R18+ (Frequent violence) rating in August 1989. It was released on tape by Roadshow Home video.

---

 

 

 

 

Mardi Gras Massacre

Directed by Jack Weis / 1978 / USA / IMDb

In December 1986, a 92m tape of MARDI GRAS MASSACRE on the Gold Key Video label was banned by the Censorship Board.

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

The Gold Key Video tape was released, but is extremely rare.

 

 

MARDI GRAS MASSACRE: The controversial footage

Thanks to Chris for this review.

I viewed an uncut PAL version of MARDI GRAS MASSACRE that ran 91:54. It is very easy to spot which footage caused the Australian censors to ban it. The only violence takes place in three scenes at 09:30, 30:30, and 55:30. Each time it consists of a different naked prostitute chained to a table, her hand is then stabbed, her foot is slashed, and finally her heart is cut out. All three scenes are such near exact copies of one another that you wonder why they did not just repeat the previous footage.

---

 

 

 

 

Mario Sperry: Vale Tudo Series 1

Volume 1: Vale Tudo Takedowns
Volume 2: Defeating the Guard
Volume 3: The Crossbody and Knee on Stomach
Volume 4: The Vale Tudo Mount
Volume 5: Fighting from the Back
Volume 6: The Vale Tudo Guard

The case of the MARIO SPERRY: VALE TUDO SERIES 1 videos was heard in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on September 11, 2003.

The applicant had previously had martial arts videos confiscated by customs, so he decided to apply for permission to import this series of six Vale Tudo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu DVDs.

 

This usually does not happen. Indeed during the appeal, the Director of the OFLC, Des Clarke:

"....estimated that there would have been approximately ten such applications this year"

and that

"....they are usually made by an organisation such as a research or cultural organisation rather than an individual"

 

The applicant had sent a copy of an advertisement to the Director of the OFLC. It was from this ad that he denied permission to import the DVDs because:

"....it is likely that the goods would be used to instruct in matters of violence"

However he goes on to say that:

"...refusal of permission to import goods does not automatically make them prohibited goods."

This meant that the applicant could still arrange to import the DVDs, but ran the risk of having them confiscated. If this did indeed happen, then he would still be able to challenge the seizure.

 

The conclusion of the hearing was that Director of the OFLC was correct in refusing permission to import the DVDs.

The above quotes are taken from the full case that can be found here.

Huseyin and Director of the Classification Board [2003] AATA 889
Applicant: Esin Huseyin
Respondent: Director of the Classification Board
Administrative Appeals Tribunal

---

 

 

 

 

Mark of the Devil

Directed by Michael Armstrong / 1970 / West Germany / IMDb

In August 1982, a 98m 35mm print of MARK OF THE DEVIL was banned in August 1972. A censored 96m print was banned in December 1972.

Filmways Australia finally had the film passed with an R-rating in July 1973. The Censorship Board claims the running time to have been 99m, which would make it longer than the two banned versions.

 

Thanks to Brendan for the following information regarding the original theatrical release.

MARK OF THE DEVIL got a drive-in release but had all the horror cut. All torture scenes ended before they started. Victims would be threatened with horror and before anything happened there would be an obvious jump cut associated with a sound shattering soundtrack jolt before being taken to another "talking heads" scene.

 

In the mid-90s, Siren planned to release MARK OF THE DEVIL on video in Australia. This was abandoned after their agreement with Redemption in the UK fell through.

Image courtesy of moviemem.com

 

---

 

 

 

 

Massage Girls

Prod J.Chen / 1979 / Thailand

A 1924.90-meter (70:21) print of MASSAGE GIRLS was submitted to the Censorship Board in November 1980 by Comfort Film Enterprises. It was passed only after 74.9-meters (164s) of footage was removed. The deletions were made to remove scenes of 'animal cruelty'.

The censored version received an R-rating due to sex, which was described as being:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The R-rating was awarded for sex and violence, which were described as:

Sex
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

Violence
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The film went on to have a theatrical release.

 

Currently there is no IMDb entry for this title. However, we believe that it is also known as MASSAGE GIRLS IN BANGKOK. A pre-cert UK tape was released by Hokushin as MASSAGE GIRLS IN B'KOK.

---

 

 

 

 

Massage Parlor Wife

Directed by Barry J. Spinello / 1975 / USA / IMDb

In July 1975, Regent Trading Enterprises had a 2249.00-meter (82:12) 35mm print of MASSAGE PARLOUR WIFE banned by the Censorship Board.

In October 1976, it was cut down to 2023.60-meters (73.58), but was once again refused. In both cases, the reasons for the bans were listed as ‘indecency’.

It was finally passed with an R-rating in January 1979, in a heavily censored 1810.38-meter (66:10) version. The cuts had reduced the running time by sixteen minutes. In this case, 14th Mandolin was the applicant.

 

 

K&C Video and King of Video

In May 1981, K&C Video had an 81m videotape banned by the Censorship Board.

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

During the early 80s, there was no law that compelled distributors to have video tapes classified. For a period, the Censorship Board simply viewed the tapes and passed them as 'Special Condition', the definition of which was:

That the film/tape will not be exhibited in any State in contravention of that State's law relating to the exhibition of films.

K&C Video had a 73m censored version of MASSAGE PARLOUR WIFE passed in September 1983 with such a warning.

 

In the early 80s, 14th Mandolin’s King of Video label released MASSAGE PARLOUR WIFE on videotape. We suspect this would be have been the same as the version passed in January 1979. Thanks to Stephen F. for the cover scan.

 

 

MASSAGE PARLOUR WIFE: Review

Thanks to Chris for this review.

My old Something Weird Video tape of MASSAGE PARLOR WIFE runs 80:44 (NTSC) which is a minute or so shorter than the 82:12 that you quote.

It doesn’t actually show actual hardcore scenes, so I’m not sure if it was shot as such. Maybe Harry Novak just cut it down for distribution. A couple of erections would have definitely been a target of the Aussie censors.

At 12m when Melanie pulls the towel back to reveal a brief shot of Mr. Edward’s erection.

In addition, at 74m Tom stands naked with an erection and shouts, “Tom is here, Tom is ready”.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Meiking

Produced by Shiyuuta Biwajima and Chikara Niki / 2002 / Japan

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.

 

In June 2007, the Classification Board awarded MEIKING PART 1 (Episodes 1 and 2) an R18+ (High level animated sex scenes) rating.

MEIKING PART 2 (Episodes 3 and 4) was rated R18+ (High level animated sex scenes, Animated violence) in July 2007.

Both were part of Siren's Hentai Collection, and were released in September and October 2007.

 

Geoff W reviewed both discs, and found that they may have been pre-cut before submission.

I previously wrote to you regarding the censorship of Siren's releases of the BONDAGE MANSION hentai. I've now had a chance to view the four episodes of MEIKING and have come to the conclusion that these are also censored.

Disc 1 contains Episode 1 and 2.

Episode 1 runs 36:43 and looks to be complete.
There is only one sex scene around the 26m point.

Episode 2 runs 35:13 and looks cut.
A slave auction is shown with a girl chained up by her legs and arms. It runs from 5:32 when the auctioneer removes the girls top, to 6:26 when the Lord shouts "Stop this!" to the auctioneer. Each episode contains a recap of scenes from the preceding feature. Between 30:32 and 30:36 we are shown a scene that should have been present in the above slave auction sequence. A close-up is shown of the girl's vagina with a 2sec shot of the guard pushing his fingers in and out. This is followed by another 2sec shot of the girl's distressed face.

Disc 2 contains Episode 3 and 4.

Episode 3 runs 30.00 and looks cut.
Between 9:31 and 9:56 the scene plays out as follows. A girl has been captured and is being interrogated and tortured. The Guard says to the prisoner "I've never seen anyone withstand such pain, even a man, I'm impressed". He then decapitates the torturer. He then says "leader, I'm sorry". The girl is then shown chained and naked with her rear to the camera. The scene ends with a close-up of the female gang leader's face. Like the others Episode 3 ends with a recap of the highlights. Between 25:55 and 26:11 we are shown shots of the prisoner being raped from behind. These look like they should have appeared in or around the above mentioned scene.

Episode 4 runs 31:50, and looks to be complete.

So there you have it, the "slave auction" scene from Episode 2, and the "prisoner interrogation" scene from Episode 3 look to have been censored. No doubt Siren chose to remove these because they feared an RC rating for sexual violence. They probably left them in the credits because they hoped the lack of context would allow them to slip by. Plus it would have been incredibly difficult to remove them from the end credits without disturbing the closing music. Neither disc has any extras or trailers.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Men in Black

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld / 1997 / USA / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor chose to censor it to achieve a more commercial rating

 

In June 1997, a 98m 35mm print of MEN IN BLACK was passed with an M (Low level violence) rating.

Columbia Tristar Films were unhappy with the decision, and unsuccessfully appealed to the Review Board. In July 1997, they confirmed the M-rating. Only the consumer advice was changed from 'Low level violence' to 'Low level violence, Low level coarse language'.

 

 

MEN IN BLACK: Review Board Report

Classification Review Board Report
July 18th 1997

"5 Findings on material questions of fact

The plot

5.1 Men in Black is a science fiction adventure comedy which follows the efforts of K and J, two employees of a secret government agency charged with keeping the peace between aliens roaming the earth in human form. K and J pursue an alien bug which has murdered humans and several aliens from another galaxy, and has stolen a minute galaxy. The earth is threatened with destruction unless the stolen galaxy is recovered.

Themes and Scenes of Violence

5.2 The Review Board considered the themes and scenes cited by the Classification Board. These included five sequences at 12, 14, 25, 42 and 43 minutes which the Classification Board found had more detail, impact and conceptual strength than is appropriate in a 'PG' classification.

The Review Board found that these depictions of violence, as well as a number of other depictions throughout the film, had more detail, impact and conceptual strength than is appropriate in a 'PG' classification, notwithstanding that many of the depictions involved aliens who were clearly fantasy figures.

The 'other depictions' included scenes at approximately

8 minutes: an 'illegal immigrant' is taken into the bush, slit open with a knife to reveal an alien, and his head held up on a stick in a scene containing a considerable sense of threat and menace;

44 minutes: a baby alien sprays mucus over the Man in Black in a manner which is neither mild in impact nor stylised;

72 minutes: victims are held by the throat and menaced with guns (not mild in impact);

84 minutes: a bug emerges from a space ship, pulls its own head off, swallows one man and hits another (not mild in impact).

There is, additionally, frequent and threatening resort to use of guns, e.g. at 20 minutes, 27 minutes, 63 minutes, 72 minutes and 78 minutes.

The Review Board found that the violent depictions were likely to be disturbing to some children under the age of 15 and as such could not be accommodated within the 'PG' classification.

The Review Board found that there was frequent use of coarse language (principally the stem words 'shit' and 'arse' ). Despite their use as a New York street argot, the Review Board considered that these were not 'mild and infrequent' as required in the 'PG' classification.

 

6 Reasons for Decision

6.1 The Review Board based its decision to confirm the Classification Board's decision to classify the film Men in Black 'M15' and to vary the consumer advice from 'Low Level Violence' to 'Low Level Violence, Low Level Course Language' on the film's content and language as described in 5.2 above.

6.2 The applicant argued that

> the 'PG' classification had been interpreted [by the Classification Board] as being intended to identify films for very young children; and

> the 'PG' classification guidelines for violence had been interpreted too rigorously in this instance; and

> the 'M15' classification assigned by the Classification Board is inconsistent with other decisions of the Board to classify some major releases 'PG'.

It argued, further that he incidents cited by the Classification Board were discreet, stylised, lacked impact and/or were presented in a humorous way. The film was claimed to fit into a general 'fantasy' category with an appeal to a ten year plus audience.

6.3 The Review Board rejects the applicant's argument that fantasy violence within a humorous context should be treated in a manner fundamentally different from violence within a realistic context. The Review Board found, as in 5.2 above, that the film contained several incidents in which violence was not discreetly implied or mild in impact or lacking in detail within the meaning of the 'PG' classification guidelines, and therefore the film could not be accommodated within that classification. In the Boards opinion that the film failed to meet the requirement that 'PG' films not be disturbing or harmful to children under the age of 15.

6.4 As well the Review Board found, as cited in 5.2 above, that the film's use of coarse language was too frequent and emphatic to be accommodated in a 'PG' classification.

6.5 The Classification Board of Review concluded that Men in Black cannot be recommended for viewing for those under 15 years within the meaning of Para.5 of the National Classification Code for Films. The Board accordingly decided to confirm the 'M15+' classification assigned to the film by the Classification Board and, for reasons stated above, to vary the consumer advice from 'Low Level Violence' to Low Level Violence, Low Level Coarse Language'.

 

7 Summary

7.1 The Review Board's decision is to confirm the decision of the Classification Board to classify the film Men in Black 'M15+' and to assign to its advertising the consumer advice 'Low Level Violence, Low Level Coarse Language'.

The decision was taken after full consideration of the applicant's submission, and after assessing the film as a whole against legislative criteria, including those contained in the Code, and in the current Classification Guidelines for Films and Videotapes determined under Section 12 of the Act. 18 July 1997 "

 

 

Censored for PG-rating

With the Review Board appeal unsuccessful, Columbia Tristar censored MEN IN BLACK. They were awarded a PG (Medium level violence, Medium level coarse language) rating in September 1997.

Both PG cut version, and the M-rated uncut version are listed with running times of 98m.

According to the IMDb, the cuts were as follows.

• When the alien jumps from the building in the beginning, rather than hitting the ground with a "thud", he now sparkles away in midair;
• The scene describing what the bug does to Edgar's skin has been snipped;
• The fumigator's death has been shortened, removing the shot of the spray gun being rammed down his throat.
• The shot of the dead waiter stuffed under the counter is shortened

Columbia Tristar released the censored PG version on videotape.

 

 

Censored M-rated DVD

In May 2000, Sony Picture Home Entertainment had a DVD of MEN IN BLACK rated M (Low level violence).

Unfortunately, the British version was used which changed two lines of dialogue. This explains why the Classification Review Board's 1997 recommendation for a consumer warning of 'Low level coarse language' was disregarded. Movie-censorship has a report that documents what was altered.

 

 

Censored M-rated Blu-Ray

In June 2008, Sony Picture Home Entertainment had a Blu-Ray disc rated M (Frequent action violence).

The disc was released in June 2008, and according to DVD Compare, it was the same censored British version that was released on DVD.

This may explain why the consumer advice on the cover was still listed as 'low level violence'.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mezzo Forte

Directed by Yasuomi Umetsu / 1998 / Japan / IMDb

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

 

In August 2005, MEZZO FORTE (OVA) VOL 1: PARTS 1 and 2 was rated MA15+ (Strong animated violence, Sexual references).

 

Thanks to James C for sending in this detailed look at this release.

This two part OVA was released in two different versions. In Japan, and later the U.S., both uncut and cut versions were released. In Australia, Madman chose to release only the cut version. The total length of the DVD is 56:29, with Ep1 running 28:39, and Ep2 27:29. Although I've never viewed the uncut version, I can hazard a guess to where the scenes are missing from. Note that a search for "mezzo forte" in Google Images (making sure SafeSearch is off), will bring up pictures of what is missing.

The first scene looks like it should appear at the end of Ep1, 25:11 in the Madman DVD. Here Mikura dreams of Kenichi Kurokawa being in her room. He comes over to the bed, tells her he loves her, then says "Then let's get hot and heavy tonight baby". Mikura then wakes up. It looks like it should go on to show them, as well as Tomohisa Harada, having sex.

The second scene should appear towards the end of Ep2, around 47:18 in the DVD. Momomi tells the two thugs that they can have Mikura for four hours. They then proceed to rape her.

Note that the sex scenes are fully hardcore, and nothing is left to the imagination. Mikura's rape by the two thugs includes them double-penetrating her. Really it is no surprise that Madman went with the cut version. The violence would have meant that the hardcore couldn't be rated X18+, and the hardcore meant that the violence couldn't be rated MA15+ or R18+.

You may be interested to read Madman's take on it all. These comments originally appeared on their message boards in response to queries about the uncut status of MEZZO FORTE and KITE.

 

12.07.04
"We will be releasing an edited version of both movies as they would be refused classification if they were to be submitted uncut."

"...just the sex scenes were removed. It was a pretty random scene that happened at the end of the 2nd OVA anyway and does not add or take away anything from the story."

 

When questioned on the possibility of uncut versions being released in the future, this was posted.

14.07.04.
"As I've said it probably would not get past the OFLC so why take the risk?"

 

---

 

 

 

 

Midnite Plowboy

Directed by Bethel Buckalew / 1971 / USA / IMDb

In October 1978, an 1810.38-meter (66.10) print of MIDNITE PLOWBOY was passed with an R-rating. This version had been pre-censored by 14th Mandolin before classification.

In July 1981, K&C Video had a censored 68m tape passed with an R-rating. It was awarded for sex, which was described as being.
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

This version was released on Starbase Video, K&C’s subsidiary label. Thanks to Stephen F. for the cover scan.

Something Weird’s US DVD of MIDNITE PLOWBOY is uncut and runs 70:23 (NTSC).

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mind, Body & Soul

Directed by Rick Sloane / 1992 / USA / IMDb

In 1993, 21st Century Pictures censored a videotape of MIND & BODY & SOUL from 93 to 91m. This received an MA15+ (Medium level violence, Nudity) rating in May 1993

The tape that was eventually released by Freedom Distribution / 21st Century Pictures ran 92:44, and had an M (Medium level violence and Sex scenes) rating on the cover. The running time would seem to indicate that it was uncut, and the rating a fake.

Note that in the UK, a 92:44 print was censored down to 90:18 before an 18-rating was awarded.

The problematic scene for the Australian censors would have to have been the rape of Brenda (Ginger Lynn) by the prison guard. In the M-rated tape this starts at the around the 13m point and appears to be uncut.

An Australian DVD was released in 2005 on the Payless Entertainment label. We currently have no further details as to what version this disc contains.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mondo Sexualis USA

Directed by David Adnopaz / 1985 / USA / IMDb

In 1987, Palace Home Video had a 95m videotape of MONDO SEXUALIS USA banned due to 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

 

The Greek tape on the Hermes Video Home Entertainment label ran 95:16 and was uncut. The film consists of the following pieces.

• A visit to Paddles S&M Club
• Ugly George on the streets of New York
• A voodoo priestess in Brooklyn
• A coven of witches
• Interview with Al Goldstein
• Visit to a California porn set
• Interview with Gloria Leonard
• Interview with Bondage Queen, Mistress Antoinette
• Feature on The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
• Acupuncture for sexual problems
• Tattooing
• Genital sculpture
• Pubic Hairdresser
• Interview with a transvestite
• Interview with a high-class call girl.
• The sex-change operation

There is no stand out scene of 'gratuitous sexual violence', so we are at a loss to explain the Australian ban.

The bondage footage would have been the most obvious possibility, although it is not particularly graphic. Although the transvestite attempting to put his testicles up his anus (to achieve the flat look) is painful to watch, it could not be considered violent.

Finally, the obligatory sex-change operation is shown in graphic detail. However, it could not be considered violent. In 1981, the censors cut a similar scene from LET ME DIE A WOMAN (Video Classics), but later passed an operation in SHOCKING ASIA (K-Tel Home Video). We would have assumed that by 1987 they would have let this footage through.

---

 

 

 

 

Moon, Star and Sun

Directed by Michael Mak / 1988 / Hong Kong / IMDb

In December 1988, a 100m 35mm print of MOON, STAR AND SUN was banned by the Censorship Board because of 'sexual violence'.

The Chinatown Cinema appealed to the Board of Review who awarded it an R-rating in January 1989.

 

Here is what the Board of Review had to say in reaching their decision.

The Board considered an appeal by the Chinatown Cinema Pty Ltd against the decision of the Film Censorship Board to refuse registration to Moon, Star and Sun on the ground that its depictions of sexual violence were 'sufficiently detailed and relished to be considered indecent'. The film, made in Hong Kong with Cantonese dialogue and subtitles in English, is a contemporary story about the lives of four 'China City' bar-girls, or prostitutes, and deals, at times graphically, with their exploitation and degradation, including the traumatic experiences of the girls at the hands of their clients.

At least two scenes give particular cause for concern. In one a girl is drugged and raped by two or more men, and in another a girl is sold to a client as a virgin and subjected to much suffering . Although the guidelines forbid 'explicit and unjustifiable depictions of sexual violence against non-consenting persons, the Board considered that the scenes in question were, on balance, justified by their narrative context, and were in any case, less explicit and protracted than comparable scenes in other films accorded 'R' Classifications.

In the Board's opinion, Moon, Star and Sun has little artistic merit, but is not the sort of junk film or blatantly exploitative vehicle for which refusal might be warranted. It deals with an aspect of modern society that cannot be ignored; incidents of the kind depicted are inseparable from the lifestyles and experiences of the women portrayed. Moreover, although some of the subject matter is extremely ugly, the story is relived by good humour and by a degree of sensitivity in its treatment of the relationships between the girls. While the film is not one which members of the Board would necessarily commend, neither is it one, in their view, which adult audiences should be prevented from seeing if they wish.

Accordingly, the Board agreed that the Chief Film Censor be directed to register Moon, Star and Sun and classify it 'For Restricted Exhibition' ('R'). 20 January 1989"

---

 

 

 

 

Mordum

Directed by Fred Vogel / 2003 / USA / IMDb

We have two reports from 2004 of AUGUST UNDERGROUND'S MORDUM being confiscated by Australian customs.

 

In one case, the reasons given were:

One (1) "August Underground's: Mordum" DVD.

This DVD portrays scenes of sex, self-mutilation, drug abuse, cruelty, bondage, rape and murder "in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be imported.

Material of this nature is deemed to fall within the scope of Regulation 4A (1A) (A) of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations and therefore subject to the seizure provisions of Section 203 of the Customs Act 1901.

 

A US mail-order company also warned their customers about customs problems with this title.

Quoted from Xploited Cinema website, March 2006.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO UK & AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMERS - SOME OF THESE DVDS HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED BY UK & AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS. SOME HAVE MADE IT THROUGH BUT SOME HAVE BEEN STOPPED. ORDER AT YOUR OWN RISK!

---

 

 

 

 

Motel Hell

Directed by Kevin Connor / 1980 / USA / IMDb

In October 1980, a 2700.23-meter (98:42) print of MOTEL HELL was submitted to the Censorship Board by United Artists Australasia.

It was passed only after 6.2 meters (14s) of footage was removed. The reason for the deletions was violence, which was described as being:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

The R-rating was awarded for violence and horror. The violence was described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

This slightly censored print went on to have a theatrical release in Australia.

 

 

Video and DVD releases

Warner Brothers released the film to VHS in 1983. The running time was 96:49, and it appears to be uncut.

MGM issued MOTEL HELL on Australian DVD in 2003. Again, the running time was 96:49.

In July 2009, Shock re-released the MGM DVD with new packaging.

 

 

Possible problem footage

A viewing of the MOTEL HELL DVD makes it difficult to identify the problem scene.. Possible targets of the 14s of cuts could have been:

• 32.30: The throat slitting
• 70.00: The breaking of the necks of the three men.
• 90.30: Vincent's death by the chainsaw. This is the most graphic scene in the film.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day

Directed by Charles Kaufman / 1980 / USA / IMDb

In August 1983, Roadshow Distributors had an uncut 91m 35mm print of MOTHER'S DAY passed with an R-rating.

Roadshow Home Video released MOTHER'S DAY on videotape in an uncut 86:41 (PAL) version. This was reviewed in March 1985, and banned by the Censorship Board because of 'excessive violence and gratuitous sexual violence'.

Despite the ban, copies of the Roadshow release of remained easy to find up until the DVD revolution cleared the shelves of VHS tapes.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mountain of the Cannibal God

aka Slave of the Cannibal God

Directed by Sergio Martino / 1978 / Italy / IMDb

In April 1979, House of Dare had a 2698.2-meter (98:37) print of MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD banned by the Censorship Board.

It was re-submitted in May 1980, this time running 2677.25-meters (97:51). This print lost another 82.5 meters (03:01) before being granted an R-rating. At least some of the 103.45-meters (03:47) of cuts were to remove scenes of 'animal cruelty'.

In September 1980, the censors noted that House of Dare had changed the title from MOUNTAIN SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD to SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD.

 

 

Censored Video Classics tape.

In the early 80s, Video Classics released a heavily censored tape under the title SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD. This was presumably the same as the Australian theatrical print.

 

Here is how the Video Classics tape compares with the uncut Greek tape released by Videosonic.

The times refer to the point in the Video Classics release where the footage has been removed.

Video Classics (Australia) - 91:07
Videosonic (Greece) - 95:02

 

KILLING OF THE IGUANA

Before - Native holding a knife above the iguana's stomach. He plunges the knife towards it.

CENSORED AT 15:37 (60s missing) - The iguana is cut open and skinned. The natives then pick up pieces of the flesh and eat it.

After - Shot of Edward, Arthur, and the natives eating the iguana.

This scene was edited into Umberto Lenzi's EATEN ALIVE (1980). That film also had censorship problems in Australia.

 

SNAKE VS. MONKEY

Before - The snake captures the monkey. A second monkey is shown jumping in fear.

CENSORED AT 22:29 (76s missing) - The monkey is slowly asphyxiated by the snake.

After - Sunlight through the jungle canopy followed by the group walking through the jungle.

 

CROC ATTACK

Before - Victim in the water with arm missing. Shot of natives face.

CENSORED AT 28:57 (4s missing) - Another shot of the victim in the water before he goes under.

After - The group on the boat frantically trying to escape.

 

ANIMAL TRAP

Before - The guide is caught in the animal trap. A shot of Susan's face.

CENSORED AT 31:17 (3s missing) - Extended shot of the guide screaming and caught in the trap. Brief close-up of the bloody trap.

After - The dead guide hanging in the trap.

 

DECAPITATED BODY

Before - Edward and Arthur running in the jungle and looking down.

CENSORED AT 33:12 (2s missing) - Shot of the bloody neck of the decapitated corpse.

After - Edward and Arthur continue to run.

 

ARTHUR AND THE NATIVE GIRL

Before - Arthur and the native girl together in the hut. A cannibal bursts in and throws a spear at the girl. A shot of the spear in her back. Arthur calls out "Help, Help"

CENSORED AT 47:20 (2s missing) - Shot of the spear in the girls back with blood oozing out. A brief shot of her face.

After - The cannibal turns and runs.

 

IGUANA AND SNAKE

Before - The crocodile with the iguana's head in its mouth. A shot of Edward's face.

CENSORED AT 51:55 (5s missing) - The iguana begins to regurgitate a snake.

After - Continuation of the regurgitation.

 

ARTHUR IS EATEN

Before - Cannibals pulling the entrails from Arthur's body.

CENSORED AT 75:23 (9s missing) - Extended shot of the entrails being removed from Arthur.

After - Manolo closing his eyes. Susan tied to the post.

 

CANNIBAL CASTRATION

Before - Cannibal priest swings the knife.

CENSORED AT 80:53 (8s missing) - Graphic shot of cannibal being castrated before being stabbed.

After - Manolo looking on.

This scene was edited into Umberto Lenzi's EATEN ALIVE (1980). That film also had censorship problems in Australia.

 

BARREL FEAST

Before - The cannibal priest removes a fish from the barrel and begins to eat it alive.

CENSORED AT 81:34 (3s missing) - Extended eating scene.

After/Before - Shot of Manolo. Other Cannibals begin to remove creatures from the barrel and start to eat.

CENSORED AT 81:42 (2s missing) - Close-up of the cannibals eating.

After/Before - Shot of Manolo and the cannibals. The cannibals remove even more creatures from the barrel and continue to eat.

CENSORED AT 81:50 (3s missing) - Eating of the creatures. Followed by a snake having its skin torn off.

After/Before - The snake sliding along the ground. A cannibal picks it up and holds it to his mouth.

CENSORED AT 82:02 (5s missing) - Cannibal holding the snake in his mouth and pulling the skin off.

After/Before - The dwarf cannibal walking over to Manolo and force-feeding him the fish.

CENSORED AT 82:12 (4s missing) - Close-up of him being force-fed the fish.

After - Side view of the dwarf as the priest raises his arms in the air.

 

SNAKE VS. BIRD

Before - The cannibals sleeping. A shot of Manolo.

CENSORED AT 82:40 (40s missing) - Snake attacking the bird and the two then fighting.

After - Rope being lowered down wall.

This scene was edited into Umberto Lenzi's EATEN ALIVE (1980). That film also had censorship problems in Australia.

 

DWARF ATTACK AND DEATH

Before - Dwarf stabbing Manolo with a spear through the bars of the cage.

CENSORED AT 83:20 (1s missing) - Close-up of the spear stabbing Manolo.

After/Before - Manolo kicks the dwarf against the wall. Shot of him looking down on the dwarfs shattered skull.

CENSORED AT 83:26 (3s missing) - A further close-up shot of the dwarfs open skull.

After - Close-up of the dwarf's face.

 

 

Rare RCA/Columbia VHS

There was a second Australian video release of SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD in late 1989/early 1990 on the RCA/Columbia label.

This is an extremely rare tape, and it needs to be confirmed what version it contains.

 

 

Censored Showtime/RBC Entertainment DVD

In 2004, Showtime DVD/RBC Entertainment issued SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD on DVD. The M-rating on the cover is obviously a fake.

The DVD contains a nice letterbox print, and has an almost uncut 94:14 running time. Apart from the cannibal castration scene, missing from the DVD at 82:58, it contains all of the above-mentioned footage that was censored from the old Video Classics tape.

The end credits also seem to be slightly shortened. The source of this print seems to be the cheap U.S. release on the Diamond Entertainment label.

 

 

Bestiality and masturbation footage

The 2002 U.S. Anchor Bay DVD contained extra footage that had never previously been included in any release prints. This was inserted at the end of the film during the feast scene. It features some graphic shots of a female cannibal masturbating, and a male cannibal having simulated sex with a pig.

 

---

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Stone's Thing

aka The Very Sensuous Wife

Directed by Joseph F Robertson / 1970 / USA / IMDb

In August 1976, a 2164.50-meter (79:07) print of MRS. STONE’S THING was banned because of ‘indecency’.

The film was cut down to 1763.70-meters (64:28), but was banned again in October 1976. In November 1976, Briad Film Productions failed to have this decision overturned by the Review Board.

Finally, in January 1977, after seventeen minutes of cuts, a 1700.00-meter (62:08) print was passed with an R-rating.

 

 

Video tape release

In March 1981, a 75m videotape of MRS. STONE’S THING was passed with an R-rating. It was awarded for sex, which were described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

We believe that 14th Mandolin released the film on their King of Video label. The PAL running time indicates that it may have been either uncut or slightly censored. In the space of four years, the censor went from demanding seventeen minutes of cuts, to zero.

 

 

Banned for sexual violence

In October 1985, Platinum Video had an 80m videotape Refused Classification. The reason for the decision was 'gratuitous sexual violence'. The tape was submitted under the alternative title, THE VERY SENSUOUS WIFE.

 

 

MRS. STONE’S THING: Review

Thanks to Simon for this review.

Mike Hunter Video [Germany] – 76:03 (PAL)
As "Heisse Fingerspiele"

The sex in MRS. STONE’S THING is purely softcore, so it is hard to see why it was necessary to remove seventeen minutes of footage for the 1977 theatrical release.

The 1985 videotape ban is easier to explain. The 'gratuitous sexual violence' is as follows.

At approximately 07:00 to 08:15. Joanee is making out with her boyfriend in the back of his car. Suddenly she has a flashback and stops; she explains to her boyfriend what happened in her past. We are shown the four-year-old Joanee watching her mother being raped by her father on the bed. For the record, the child in the film was obviously not present in the same scene.

Joanee goes on to explain how as a fourteen year old she was picking flowers when her father leapt from the bushes and raped her. We are shown shots of her struggling as her father pulls open her top.

At approximately 34:30 to 35:10. Joanee is being seduced at the party by another woman. She has another flashback to her father raping her mother as she looks on. This is inter-cut with scenes of the woman seducing her.

At approximately 36:45 to 38:00. There is yet another flashback to her father raping her mother. Again, this is inter-cut with Joanee and the girl on the bed. Joanee suddenly gets rough with the woman, and begins to act as her father did to her mother. The scene ends with her saying "You dirty bitch, my mother got to like it, and so will you".

At approximately 54:00 to 54:10. An old man is shown having sex with a woman. We are shown shots of her distressed face, as she mouths the words "No"

---

 

 

 

 

The Mutilator

aka Fall Break

Directed by Buddy Cooper / 1985 / USA / IMDb

In September 1985, Platinum Video had an 86m videotape of THE MUTILATOR banned under the alternative title of FALL BREAK. It was refused by the Censorship Board because of violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

 

In 1987, Palace Home Video submitted an 87m videotape under THE MUTILATOR title. It was again banned by the Censorship Board because of violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

Palace censored over two minutes of footage, and an 83:53 tape was awarded an R-rating in March 1987. The violence was now described as being:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

 

 

THE MUTILATOR: The censored footage

Thanks to Matt for this review.

Dragon Film Entertainment DVD (Germany): 86:13 (uncut)
Palace Home Video VHS (Australia): 83:53 (censored)

The Palace Home Video release of THE MUTILATOR has been censored in the following scenes. The times refer to the approximate points in the Dragon DVD.

01:30 - Ed shoots his mother in the back. The Palace tape shows the first shotgun blast, but censors the replay.

23:15 - Ed's father has a dream of killing him as a boy. The Palace tape removes the start of the scene where the axe is dragged across Ed's throat. Strangely, the rest of the scene, where the blood flows out of the wound, is intact.

45:15 - The Palace tape removes around 20s of footage of the cop getting the wood impaled through his cheek. Also missing is his decapitation. The Palace tape only shows the head lying on the ground, followed by the killer picking it up.

63:30 - Nearly all of Ralph's death scene has been censored in the Palace tape. This is around 40s of him getting the pitchfork in his neck and being impaled to the door.

70:30 - Sue's death scene has been censored of around 25s of footage. The Palace tape ends with the fishing gaff being held to her crotch. It then censors the rest of the scene of the hook going into her body, and out of her stomach.

80:00 - The largest cut in the film is approximately 55s from the killer's death scene. The Palace tape shows the car reversing to the wall with the killer holding on the back. It censors the rest of the sequence of him being crushed against the wall, the car pulling forward, and his body laying in two pieces. It also removes him grabbing the axe and chopping off the cop's leg, and the bloody axe in the ground. The Palace tape picks up with the scene in the hospital.

 

Mike's death scene at 39:45 seems to be intact in the Palace tape. It shows him getting a power saw in the chest and his bloody body slowly falling to the ground. It is strange that this escaped the censor's scissors considering what was missing from the rest of the film.

 

---

 

 

 

 

My Brother's Wife

Produced by Shiyuuta Biwajima and Chikara Niki / 2004 / Japan / IMDb

In May 2006, a DVD of MY BROTHER'S WIFE was banned by the OFLC. Siren Visual Entertainment was the applicant.

A censored version was passed R18+ (High Level Animated Sex Scenes) in February 2007.

Note that the OFLC database lists different details for both submissions. This is because the second one gives the English dubbing credits.

May 2006: RC
Author NOT SHOWN
Publisher SHIYUUTA BIWAJIMA, CHIKARA NIKI
Production Company DIGITAL WORKS

Feb 2007: R18+
Author SHANNON HEMEON, ANITA LARKO
Publisher SHAWNE KLECKNER, NORIKO AI
Production Company RIGHT STUFF

In addition, both submissions are listed as being 'Original Versions'. It is unclear why this was, as the R18+ version would have definitely been censored.

Siren released the cut DVD in May 2007 as part of their Hentai Collection.

 

 

Censored footage

The Siren Visual release of MY BROTHER'S WIFE consists of two episodes.

Part 1: 26:50
Part 2: 28:11

There are no obvious scenes that look censored. We know this is not the case, and the running times seem to indicate that Part 1 has been cut.

In Part 2 around the 22m mark there is a threesome between Misa, Miwa, and Takeshi. The end credits of Part 2 shows shots of Misa and Miwa kissing that do not appear in this sex scene.

 

 

BONDAGE COLLECTION Box Set

MY BROTHER'S WIFE was re-released by Siren in August 2009 as part of a box set called THE BONDAGE COLLECTION. It includes SLAVES TO PASSION and BONDAGE MANSION. All three are cut, and have individual entries in our Film Censorship Database.

 

---

 

 

Next Films: Matinee (2009)

 

 

Home | News | Censorship | Protest | Contact | Links | Top of Page

refusedclassification@gmail.com | Online Since April 2002