Film Censorship: P

 

 

 

 

Payback

Directed by Addison Randall / 1990 / USA / IMDb

In 1992, an 86m videotape of PAYBACK was Refused Classification by the OFLC. A censored 82m version was awarded an M (Medium Level Violence, Coarse Language) rating in February 1992.

The tape was presumably released by Video Distribution Company, who was the applicant in both cases. Can anyone confirm that the VHS was released in Australia?

 

Thanks to Matt for this review.

It is easy to spot the problem scene in this one. At approx 47m, the three members of Strikeforce enter the bar and attack Jason's friend Molly. They hold her down over the pool table and proceed to take turns to rape here. The whole scene cuts back and forth between this, and that of Jason and Evelyn having sex. The rape ends at approximately the 49:30 point. This would have definitely been the main, and in my opinion, only scene that the OFLC would have banned the film for. Any depictions of rape seem to have routinely landed an RC-rating during this period.

There is another scene at 55:30 where Jason comes across a group of guys pushing a girl around. She is slapped in the face, before Jason proceeds to kick their assess with some very lame martial arts. I can't believe that the OFLC would have had any problems with this scene.

You may be interested to know that the Producers behind this are Richard Pepin and Joseph Merhi. They were responsible for LA CRACKDOWN 2, and NIGHT OF THE WILDING, two other films that you list as having been banned in Australia.

Overall, this is a badly acted, but strangely watch able early 90s straight to video action title. Today it would easily get by with an uncut R-rating. Just watch for the very fake looking decapitation at 80:30. The uncut VHS that I viewed ran 85:27.

 

 

 

 

Perdita Durango

Directed by Álex de la Iglesia/ 1997 /Mexico - Spain - USA / IMDb

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

 

In May 1998, a 125m 35mm print of PERDITA DURANGO received an R18+ (Medium level coarse language; Medium level sex scenes; Medium level violence) rating. Newvision Films released it theatrically soon after.

21st Century released PERDITA DURANGO on VHS. The running time was 118:55 (PAL), which would appear to be the same as the one shown theatrically. The difference in running time was down to the slower projection speed, 24 fps for cinema and 25 fps for PAL video.

 

 

Siren's censored R4 DVD

In 2002, Siren released PERDITA DURANGO on DVD. The packaging lists a running time of 125m ,and claimed to be the 'original uncut version'. This was incorrect, as it actually ran the same as the 21st Century VHS release. It was missing all the footage described above.

 

Both the 21st Century VHS and the Siren DVD, were missing the following footage. Thanks to Marc Morris for this information.

The Spanish version runs 124m 31s, and seems to be uncut. The Australian tape is an abortion running a mere 118m 55s, missing tons of violence and one narrative scene. I was going to say that even the UK tape must be better than this, but it's listed on the BBFC website with a running time of only 118m 10s, from which the BBFC admit to removing 53s - it seems that the cut version released in Australia was submitted to the BBFC, who cut it further.

SIGHT AND SOUND list the running time of the UK theatrical version as 124m 11s after cuts of 53s, which would mean that the version submitted to the BBFC lasted 125m 4s at 24 fps - the Spanish release would run approximately 130m at 24 fps.

 

The cuts made to the Australian tape are as follows:

13m 41s in. Three shots of Romeo and Perdita making love have been removed.

16m 25s. Part of Romeo's voodoo ceremony involving a bag of heroine has been cut.

16m 31s. A very big chunk has been removed from the voodoo ceremony. This shows Romeo cutting up a corpse, drinking blood and spitting blood over the people watching.

44m 14s. The entire section in which we see flashbacks to Christ's crucifixion has been cut.

45m 38s. A few shots of Romeo raping Estelle have been cut.

46m 25s. A lengthy section has been cut from the rape scene.

67m 59s. The first appearance of Alex Cox's character has been cut. In the Spanish version he is introduced picking up a foetus from the highway.

80m 47s. Six shots have been removed from the start of Perdita's dream, in which her brother-in-law shoots two children. The scene now begins abruptly with the man shooting Perdita's sister.

85m 57s. A complete dialogue scene in which a Mafiosi talks to one of his hoodlums has inexplicably been cut.

93m 40s. A few seconds of Romeo cutting a man's face with a broken bottle have been cut.

The film was made in Super 35, and the unmasked full-screen image of the Australian release is actually quite good, allowing us to see several
humorous details (such as the sign reading "on sale - fishin' stuff" 22minutes in) that have been masked off-screen in the 2.35:1 Spanish version.

 

A-Pix's US DVD of PERDITA DURANGO lasts 121m 8s and is duplicated at 25 fps, which means that it's somewhat longer than the censored Australian release. Curiously, A-pix's R-rated edition includes almost everything that was cut from the Australian version. However, a number of new cuts have been made. These are as follows:

25s in. The shot of the tiger pulling away Perdita's bed sheet has been shortened, eliminating a clear view of the woman's bottom. According to the 'Mondo Digital' website, A-Pix had to cut certain scenes because they involved under-age sex, but Rosie Perez was 33 at the time of filming! God, the MPAA are getting SO strict!!! (Of course, we have no idea how old the tiger was.)

29s in. A shot of Perdita has been shortened in order to remove a clear glimpse of her under-age 33-year old nipples.

The title has been changed, eliminating the strikingly designed original logo in which a foetus could be seen inside the letter 'O' of the word 'DURANGO'. Curiously, A-pix's tape has Spanish credits, while the Australian tape has alternate English-language credits.

13m 59s. A shot of Romeo moving a shrunken head over the length of Perdita's body has been cut.

20m 50s. In the Spanish and Australian versions, the scene introducing Estelle's parents begins with a close-up of a TV screen showing THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. This has been cut by A-Pix, though the programme is still listed in the end credits.

22m 14s. Another shot of Mary Tyler Moore on the TV has been removed from the middle of the scene.

52m 47s and 52m 50s. As Romeo and Perdita make love in the desert, two separate cuts have been made, eliminating shots of Romeo kissing Perdita's breasts and removing her trousers (though part of this can still be glimpsed in one of the theatrical trailers included on the DVD). Javier Bardem was 28 at the time of shooting - my God, it's virtually child pornography!

76m 1s, 76m 3s and 76m 12s. Three separate cuts have been made to the flashback showing Romeo as a child watching VERA CRUZ. The clips from VERA CRUZ have been cut to a bare minimum, but parts of the film are still clearly visible - if the cuts (which include a strikingly beautiful shot wherein the camera tracks around and behind the outdoor screen) were made for copyright reasons, this would seem to defeat the point of the whole exercise.

88m 16s. The opening shot of the scene with Mr Santos talking to his henchman has been cut. This shows Santos wagging his finger at a little girl and saying "you were bad" (at least that's what I think he's saying - I'm lip reading the dialogue in the Spanish version). This is the only instance of footage being missing from both the Australian and US editions (this entire scene has been cut from the Australian print).101m 8s. A close-up of a Manga cartoon on a TV screen has been removed from the start of the scene where Romeo arrives at his friends' house. The end credits still list this cartoon, which is identified as UROTSUKIDOJI II (LEGEND OF THE DEMON WOMB).

114m 36s. Romeo's death scene has been shortened, completely eliminating the footage from VERA CRUZ which he sees before dying.

The end credits are the same as on the Spanish version: the shot of Perdita walking through the street freezes, then fades to black before the credits roll in Spanish over a black screen. The end credits in the Australian tape are different, and quite superior: there, the shot of Perdita freezes and the credits begin rolling over it - there is then a dissolve to a series of neon-lit buildings observed from the perspective of a moving car. These fade to black about half-way through the credits.

 

 

 

 

Les Petites Fuges

Directed by Yves Yersin / 1979 / France / IMDb

In March 1980, Le Ciezio Films had LES PETITES FUGES passed with an R-rating.

They chose to remove 13-meters (28s) from the 3708-meter (135:32) print, in order to secure a lower M-rating.

 

Here is how Cinema Papers described the decision to cut the film, and how it compared with the treatment of David Blyth's ANGEL MINE.

"...the distributor secured the director's permission before proceeding. This however, seems to be the exception, not the rule."

 

 

Censored for a lower rating

The practice of a distributor censoring a film for a lower rating does happen in Australia, though not as often as in countries such as the U.K. The introduction of the MA15+ rating in May 1993 also reduced the occurrence. If a distributor is unhappy with a rating, the usual course of action is to appeal to the Review Board. If this proves unsuccessful, then they usually live with the original decision.

In Australia, the most notorious example was in 1976, when BEF Film Distributors received an R-rating for David Bowie's THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH. In a desperate to capture the youth market, they removed nearly twelve minutes of footage for an M-rating.

Here is a list of films that have been censored by their distributors for ratings reasons. All are covered in our Film Censorship Database.

 

 

 

 

 

The Piano Teacher

Directed by Michael Haneke / 2001 / Austria - France - Germany / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included as an example of classification policy.

 

In June 2002, Level Four Films had a 131m 35mm print of THE PIANO TEACHER passed with an R18+ (Adult themes, Actual sex) rating.

Madman Entertainment released it on DVD with a running time of 125:08 (PAL).

In October 2005, it was passed again with an R18+ (Adult themes, Actual sex) rating. Madman Entertainment re-released the DVD as part of their Director's Suite series.

A censored MA15+ version of THE PIANO TEACHER premiered on SBS in June 2006.

 

 

Hardcore sex and THE PIANO TEACHER

This is an interesting rating, as it contains an R18+ scene of actual sex. See our separate entry for ROMANCE (1999) to learn more about the Classification Board's change in policy.

The following is taken from the 'Report on the Review of the Operation of the 2003 Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games'. It includes information regarding the classification of THE PIANO TEACHER.

The full report can be accessed at the Classification Board's website.

 

REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE 2003 GUIDELINES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS AND COMPUTER GAMES

Prepared by Kate Aisbett, Entertainment Insights
December 2004

Executive Summary
Review process
A review of the first twelve months’ operation of the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games 2003 (the 2003 Guidelines) was promised by the former Attorney General, the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP, to ensure that the decisions made under the 2003 Guidelines align with those made under the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Videotapes – Amendment No. 3, 2000, and Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games – Amendment No. 1, 1999 (the previous guidelines). The review of the 2003 Guidelines has been conducted and is the subject of this report.

The principal object of the review is to assess whether the combining and recasting of the previous guidelines into the 2003 Guidelines has had the effect of changing the level of content that falls into the various classification categories for film and games.

 

7 Examination of Board decision reports

7.6.1 Actual Sex
The Piano Teacher
Depictions of actual sex were found in the comparative year for the Review period. The Board report for the film The Piano Teacher, classified in the year prior the introduction of the 2003 Guidelines, describes actual sex scenes of a similar level of detail and brevity:

Whilst in a booth in an adult shop, views of the video she is watching are shown full screen, including actual fellatio and intercourse. There are also views of magazines on the bookshelves depicting actual sexual activity…

The research on past incidents of actual sex in R18+ classified films and the content in films in the two comparative years suggests that the change in the level of actual sex is not related to the change in guidelines but related to the product in the market in the operational review year

 

Attachment D – OFLC responses to titles referred to in the report
The Piano Teacher
On 12 June 2002, the Board classified The Piano Teacher R18+ with the consumer advice, ‘adult themes, actual sex’.

The Board noted in its report that:

A lonely piano teacher who self mutilates and frequents peep shows in pornography shops forms a liaison with an infatuated student who becomes violent on discovering her masochistic desires.

… The film contains adult themes and depictions of actual sexual activity which cannot be accommodated in a lesser category.

The treatment of the themes of self mutilation, voyeurism, incest and sexual violence have a very high degree of intensity but are not exploitative within the context of the film.

… Although the general rule for Sex at R is ‘simulation, yes - the real thing, no,’ the Board is obliged to consider section 11 of the Act and is of the opinion that, although some scenes may be offensive to some sections of the adult community, the depictions of actual sex in this film can be accommodated in the R classification.

 

The Piano Teacher - Madman Entertainment [au] DVD

 

 

 

 

Pink Flamingos

Directed by John Waters / 1972 / USA / IMDb

In 1976, the Censorship Board banned a 98m print of PINK FLAMINGOS. The distributor, Windsor Theatres, removed 4m of footage to gain and R-rating for a theatrical release.

 

 

Banned on video

It was during the video revolution of the 80s that PINK FLAMINGOS really ran in trouble with the Australian censors. It was banned four times between 1981 and 1983.

  1. 1981: Video Classics 95m version
  2. 1983: Leeden Records 88m version
  3. 1983: Howard Smith Industries 93m version
  4. 1983: Newvision Films 95m version

 

 

PINK FLAMINGOS and the X-rating

In February 1984, Newvision Films had had a 95m videotape of PINK FLAMINGOS passed with an X-rating.

The X-rating was introduced in Australia in February 1984. For a brief period, it was considered not just for sex films, but also for material that was too extreme for the R-rating. During this time, violence could exist in the X category, and horror films were awarded the rating. The guidelines were swiftly tightened up to remove violence, though pro-censorship groups will try to tell you otherwise.

Here is a list of titles that contain violence which were passed with X-ratings in 1984 to 1985. Apart from CALIGULA and PINK FLAMINGOS, we have no evidence that any of these were ever released in X-rated versions.

All are covered in our Film Censorship Database.

 

 

PINK FLAMINGOS on Palace Home Video

Palace Home Video released the X-rated version on tape, along with R-rated versions of FEMALE TROUBLE and DESPERATE LIVING. The rear cover of these latter two releases both carried an advertisement (see below) for the PINK FLAMINGOS tape. Due to the X-rating, it was simply advertised on a plain white background as:

Ask for the other Divine title that we can't show you on this box!

This uncut tape is now extremely rare and runs 88:15 (PAL). Thanks to AussieRoadshow and Stephen F for the running time and cover scans.

 

 

Banned in 1997

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of PINK FLAMINGOS, a re-release print was shown in the U.S. that included an introduction by Director John Waters.

This new 107m uncut version was banned by the OFLC in October 1997. Roadshow Film Distributors censored the 35mm print down to 105m and were awarded an R18+ (Adult themes; Sexual references) rating in October 27 1997.  It was this version that was released theatrically.

The longer running time was due to some extra scenes that have been added, as well as the introduction by John Waters.

 

 

Actual sex and PINK FLAMINGOS

The reasoning that the OFLC gave in 1997 for banning PINK FLAMINGOS would presumably now not apply. See our separate entry for ROMANCE (1999) to learn more about the Classification Board's change in policy.

 

Not To Everyone's Taste, Film Still Turns Heads Red
smh.com.au, October 13, 1997

The managing director of Roadshow Film Distributors, Mr Ian Sands, confirmed that the midnight-movie special had been rejected. Ahead of a full censors' report due today, Mr Sands could not say which scenes of blatant, graphic, enthusiastic tastelessness would have to go. But he expects that "we won't have to do much to get it through".

Ms Andree Wright, deputy director of the OFLC, explained that "when it comes to sexual matters, the current R guidelines say: `Sexual activity may be realistically simulated.' The general rule is simulation, yes; the real thing, no. "

Well, in the case of this film, there is a scene where it is undoubtedly the real thing.

"Depictions along those lines are usually accommodated in the X category."

 

 

1997: Why PINK FLAMINGOS was banned

Here is what the OFLC had to say about PINK FLAMINGOS in their 1997 to 1998 Annual Report.

The 25th anniversary version of the 1974 low budget trash classic, John Water's Pink Flamingos was classified RC by the Board who noted it to be

"a deliberately provocative and confronting film which sets out to challenge society's conventions on good taste an appropriate behaviour."

The Board also commented that:

"the treatment however is highly theatrical with the low budget approach to production, acting and narrative and the use of caricature, coupled with a cheerful musical soundtrack, resulting in a offbeat black comedy which is likely to elicit different levels of appreciation in different viewers. While the Board recognises that some 23 years on, the film has a dated feel and may not be as shocking to audiences as when it was first released, the Board nonetheless is unanimously of the view that some of the content does still offend against standards generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that it should be classified RC"

The Board unanimously noted a scene which included "close up real depictions of actual fellatio....which unambiguously contravene R classification guidelines." Some Board members also considered the "incestuous nature the encounter to be offensive" while others were of the view that the presentation of the "mother-son' relationship is so patently ridiculous that his aspect cannot be taken seriously." In addition some of the Board considered two scenes containing depictions of sexual violence- one with "overtones of voyeurism" and the second "presented within a theme of kidnapping and forced insemination", to be "conceptually abhorrent and sufficiently detailed and exploitative to warrant RC." Some members further thought that one of these scenes dealt "cruelly with an animal in a gratuitous, exploitative and offensive manner", which in itself warranted 'RC'.

A revised version of the film was unanimously classified R with consumer advice "Adult themes, sexual references", with the Board commenting that "the adult themes can be accommodated at the R level in a film of merit", and that the sexual references "require an adult perspective". In the Board's view the film can be accommodated at the R level as it does not offend against standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that the film should be classified 'RC.'

 

 

1997: What was cut for the R-rating

We did not catch the censored R18+ theatrical run of PINK FLAMINGOS, and it was never released on tape. However, from the above description provided by the OFLC, we can guess that cuts were made to the following scenes.

 

 

Unofficial uncut VHS release

There is an unofficial Australian 'No Name Label' VHS released from around 2000. Despite the R18+ rating, this was a bootleg that was never classified. Thanks to Mitch for the following information on this particular release.

The actual runtime of the movie (excluding Copyright warnings and the extras at the end) is 93 minutes. The runtime of the film itself and the extras (deleted scenes introduced by John Waters + original trailer) is 108 minutes.

 

Pink Flamingos - Palace Home Video [au] VHS Front 1Pink Flamingos - Palace Home Video [au] VHS Front 2Pink Flamingos - Palace Home Video [au] VHS BackPink Flamingos - Palace Home Video [au] VHS Advertisement

 

 

 

 

A Place Called Today

Directed by Don Schain / 1972 / USA / IMDb

In November 1984, G.A. International had a 100m videotape of A PLACE CALLED TODAY banned because of 'explicit and gratuitous sexual violence'. A censored 99m version was passed with an M-rating in September 1985.

Don Schain's GINGER and THE ABDUCTORS also had censorship problems in Australia.

 

Thanks to Matt G for this review.

Just caught up with a dub of an old U.S. tape release of this Don Schain drama. The running time was 102:55 (NTSC) and it looked uncut. For the first 80mins I was left wondering what exactly the Aussie censors had a problem with. However, at around the 83min mark a naked Cindy is kidnapped by two guys and you know where it is going to end. Here are the scenes that I would say the censors would have wanted removed, in part, or completely. In my opinion this would now pass uncut with an R-rating.

90:24-92:04 - A naked Cindy is released from the sleeping bag with her mouth taped up. The black guy says "You white bitch". He then threatens her with a gun, and then a knife. She struggles and he says "fight, go on, fight". He begins to rape her.

92:04-92:21 - report on TV

92:21- 92:33 - The rape continues

92:33-95:35 - Randy and Carolyn watch a news report

95:35-96:12 - The black guy finishes raping her and then stabs her in the throat. They then run away as the cops arrive.

I've seen many old tapes over the years, but never come across a copy of the censored GA International release. As you mention on your site they also released Don Schain's GINGER. Maybe A PLACE CALLED TODAY is, along with THE ABDUCTORS, a planned release that never appeared.

 

 

 

 

The Porn Brokers

Directed by John Lindsay – Laurence Barnett  / 1973 / UK / IMDb

In March 1974, a 2708.00-meter (98:59) 35mm print of THE PORN BROKERS was passed with an R-rating. To achieve this, Consolidated Exhibitors had to remove 30.48-meters (01:07) of footage. The Censorship Board had demanded the cuts because of ‘indecency’.

 

A ‘reduced version’ of THE PORN BROKERS was next classified in October 1982. This time, Blake Films had a 2633.28-meter (96:15) 35mm print passed with an R-rating.

The reason given for the rating was sex, which was described as being:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Justified

 

In February 1984, Blake Films had a 96m videotape passed with an R-rating. It was awarded for the same reasons as the October 1982 submission.

THE PORN BROKERS was released on tape by Palace Vibrant Video with a running time of 94:54.

 

 

THE PORNBROKERS (1973): Softcore vs. Hardcore versions

Thanks to Mike for this comparison.

Palace Vibrant Video (Aus) – 94:54
X-rated version (US) – 76:42

I located the Australian version of THE PORNBROKERS through e-bay, and compared it to our US print.

These two versions of THE PORNBROKERS are very different, and contain footage that is exclusive to each. Both are edited completely differently. An exact side-by-side comparison would be a nightmare.

 

Some observations.

The X-rated version is missing most of the credits that are shown being printed out by a typewriter. The PVV has the full credits.

The X-rated version contains non-stop hardcore. This is either film, or still shots. It also includes bestiality stills of a woman and a horse. This is missing from the PVV version.

The PVV version only shows a handful of hardcore stills. The filmed sex is softcore. There is however some graphic female masturbation footage.

The PVV version contains an interview with UK artist Nicholas Treadwell. This is missing from the X-rated version.

The X-rated version contains a hardcore scene with two guys and a girl on a park bench. This looks like it was filmed in the US, as one of the actors appears to be Jamie Gillis. This is missing from the PVV version.

The making of John Lindsay’s WET DREAM short runs for around 30 minutes in the PVV version. The X-rated version shortens it considerably, but does include hardcore footage.

The Lasse Braun interview is longer in the PVV version.

 

The interview with Dutch pornographer Joop Wilhelmus is much longer in the PVV version. It also contains an interesting audio cut.

Joop Wilhelmus in PVV version: “…the same child of mine can sit in front of a television set at seven o’clock in the evening, and see the seven o’clock news, and see how in Vietnam, the Americans are destroying a people, you know, a very poor people, in any disgusting way you can imagine, and even some ways you can’t imagine.”

Joop Wilhelmus in X-rated version: An audio cut has been made to remove “...how in Vietnam, the Americans are destroying a people, you know, a...”

In the longer PVV version, Wilhelmus continues talking about how the Scandinavian countries were the first to oppose the Vietnam war.

Joop Wilhelmus's daughter, joins him and her mother, and sits silently while the interview takes place. Wilhelmus talks about how he has allowed his daughter to see any pornography from a very young age, and that he is more concerned about violence. This is in both versions, and although it is a bit unsettling to watch, it is only what he is saying that is controversial. However, this scene took on a completely new meaning when I found an entry for Wilhelmus on Dutch Wikipedia. It claims that he produced a child pornography magazine called Lolita, and in the late 80s was charged with the rape of his daughters. He served four years in prison, and died in 1994.

 

Overall, THE PORNBROKERS is an interesting snapshot of the early-70s European sex industry. Of the two versions, the PVV one is the more interesting. It contains longer interview footage, and extended shots of locations such as the Copenhagen and Hamburg red-light districts. As I mentioned, they are edited completely differently, so deducing what was censored from the PVV version would be very difficult.

Incidentally, in April 1973 the BBFC banned THE PORNBROKERS in the UK. It was only passed with an X-rating in 1977 after being censored down to 58:40! 

 

The Pornbrokers (1973) - Palace Vibrant Video [au] VHS

 

 

 

 

Predator 2

Directed by Stephen Hopkins / 1990 / USA / IMDb

In January 1991, an uncut 107m 35mm print of PREDATOR 2 was passed with an R18+ (Assaultive coarse language, Drug abuse, Some graphic violence) rating.

Hoyts-Fox-Columbia Tristar chose to censor the print down to 105m to remove the more explicit scenes of violence. For their efforts, in March 1991, they were awarded a more commercial M (Assaultive coarse language, Frequent violence) rating. The introduction of the MA15+ rating was still two years away.

It was this version that was released theatrically and on tape by CBS/Fox Video. Thanks to Stephen F. for the cover scan.

 

Thanks to Peter F for pointing out that PREDATOR 2 was also available uncut on an R18+ VHS.

Predator 2 was released UNCUT on VHS
Time on VHS 103:28 (approx) (Fox Logo and Credits included) (PAL)
Time on DVD (Special Edition) 103:33 (PAL)

 

 

Uncut on DVD

In 2001, Fox Home Entertainment released the uncut R-rated print of PREDATOR 2 on DVD. This restored around 40 seconds. Michael D's has a detailed look at the missing footage.

 

Ironically, at the same time we were given the chance to see the extra footage in PREDATOR 2, the original PREDATOR was for the first time given a censored release in Australia. This was due to Fox Home Entertainment sourcing a cut print.

 

 

Re-rated MA15+

In March 2005, disc one of the PREDATOR 2: SPECIAL EDITION was passed with an MA15+ (Drug use; High level violence; Medium level coarse language; Medium level sex scene) rating. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment released it on DVD.

 

Predator 2 (1990) - CBS/Fox Video [au] VHSPredator 2 - Fox Entertainment [au] DVD1Predator 2 - Fox Entertainment [au] DVD 2

 

 

 

 

Prey

Directed by Norman J. Warren / 1978 / UK / IMDb

In September 1979, a 2314.70-meter (84:36) print of PREY was submitted for classification. It was passed with an R-rating after 6.4-meters (00:14) of ‘excessive violence’ was removed.

Greater Union Film Distributors released the censored version theatrically.

 

During the late 70s and early 80s, Norman J. Warren had a bad run in Australia. As well as PREY, his SATAN’S SLAVE (1976) and TERROR (1978) were both censored for R-ratings.

 

 

PREY: The censored scene

Thanks to Matt for this review and screencaps.

The uncut UK Anchor Bay DVD runs 77:43 (PAL).

The 14s removed by the Australian censor would have been taken from the climatic scene where Anders kills and eats Jessica. It runs as follows.

73:08 to 74:17 – Anders and Jessica are having sex. He begins to get rough, and starts to change into his real Alien self. He kills Jessica with a bite to the neck. Jo enter the room and sees him over the body of Jessica. He turns and looks at her.

Until the 2004 Anchor Bay DVD, all British prints were censored during the cannibal scene. The 1977 theatrical release was censored down to 84:36, the same running time as our version.

 

 

Featured in TERROR ON TAPE (1983)

The censored cannibalism scene from PREY (identified as ALIEN PREY) was shown in the TERROR ON TAPE (1983) compilation. This was banned by the Censorship Board in March 1985.

 

Prey - Censored Scene 01Prey - Censored Scene 02

 

 

 

 

Prison Heat

Directed by Joel Silberg / 1993 / USA / IMDb

In 1993, Warner Home Video had a 91m videotape of PRISON HEAT banned by the OFLC.

A 95m version was passed with an R18+ (Medium level violence) rating in June 1993. We are unsure why this version was four minutes longer, and if it was ever released.

 

 

PRISON HEAT: The sexual violence

Thanks to Simon for this look at the uncut version. All the scenes that he mentions are documented in this Schnittberichte report.

The US Cannon Video release runs 91:08. The OFLC definitely banned the film for sexual violence. Here are the scenes that I suspect would have been the problem.

28:25 to 29:30 – Hellena throws Bonnie to the ground, and tears off her top. She then puts her hand down Bonnie’s underwear and sexually assaults her.

35:10 to 36:30 – Saladin pulls off Bonnie’s top and pushes her over the desk. He rips off her underwear and rapes her. This is probably the most explicit sexual assault scene in the film and would have definitely have been the main cause for the ban.

 

These following scenes are not quite as strong, but some may have been a problem.

48:40 to 48:50 – Bonnie is told to strip naked. She does so while looking scared.

51:10 to 52:50 – Bonnie is shown naked on the floor of the shower as Saladin is getting dressed. He says, “Soon you will learn to enjoy this” before he leaves. She walks to the mirror, smashed it, and holds a piece of glass to her wrist.

73:55 to 74:20 – Saladin tears Bonnie’s top open and rubs her breasts. He demands she tell him what is going on. She refuses so he slaps her to the ground. He tells the Lebanese brothel owner that she is his.

75:38 to 75 51 – The Lebanese man is shown on top of Bonnie as she fights back.

77:50 to 78:25 – Bonnie continues fighting the Lebanese man and stabs him in the back before Saladin returns.

 

 

 

 

Private Lessons

Directed by Alan Myerson / 1981 / USA / IMDb

The first recorded submission of PRIVATE LESSONS comes from August 1981, when Star Video had an 86m videotape banned by the Censorship Board. The reason given was 'sexual exploitation of a minor'.

In November 1981, the Australian censors again banned PRIVATE LESSONS. The problem for the 2370.60-meter (86:39) print was once more 'sexual exploitation of a minor'. Sunn Classic Productions appealed to the Review Board, but lost in December 1981.

 

Here is how CINEMA PAPERS saw it at the time.

"Private Lessons, the inane banning of which was reported in the previous issue went to appeal in December, but the Films Board of Review rejected the film. Australia, it seems, is about the only country that won't be seeing this film."

 

Following the ban, Sunn Classics censored PRIVATE LESSONS down to 2323-meters (84:54). This proved to be to no avail, and the 'Reduced Version' was Refused Registration in May 1982,. Again, the reason was for the 'sexual exploitation of a minor'.

 

 

Censored for R-rated theatrical release

PRIVATE LESSONS was finally passed in July 1982. The R-rating was awarded for 'adult concepts'.

This third submission ran 2112.11-meters (77:12), and was described as the 'Producer's Reduced Version'. This heavily censored print did not prevent the Censorship Board from insisting on another 0.5-meters (2s) of cuts before awarding the R-rating. This final snip of the scissors was once more for the 'sexual exploitation of a minor'.

It was this censored version that went on to be released theatrically in Australia.

 

 

Censored video release

In 1982, Rigby-CIC Video released a 77:12 censored print of PRIVATE LESSONS on videotape.

In February 1984, it became law for all videotapes to be classified. The censors began the slow task of reviewing all the titles that had been released up until that time. They finally got to the Rigby-CIC Video release of PRIVATE LESSONS in November 1984. It was confirmed as an R for 'sexual allusions'.

 

 

Censored DVD release

It would be over twenty years before PRIVATE LESSONS was again classified in Australia. In September 2005, the OFLC passed Umbrella Entertainment's VHS with an R18+ (Adult themes) rating. The DVD was released in January 2006. The fact that Umbrella submitted the film on VHS maybe provides a clue to what version they eventually released.

The running time of the full screen DVD was 77:12, exactly the same as the old Rigby-CIC VIdeo released twenty-three years earlier. It looks like Umbrella decided to play it very safe with PRIVATE LESSONS. Perhaps they sensed that the intervening years had not made it any easier for the subject matter to pass the censors.

 

 

PRIVATE LESSONS: The censored scenes

Despite being censored of nearly ten minutes of footage in Australia, it is not easy to identify what was removed. This may have something to do with the print being the Producer's Reduced Version.

Here is a rundown of the scenes that may have been a problem and subjected to cuts.

 

At 22m approx: Ms Mallow undresses in front of Philly. This scene does not seem cut, but it is the most obvious place for the often-mentioned full frontal nudity.

At 30m approx: Philly shares a bath with Ms Mallow. There is possibly a brief cut (the missing 2s?) after Ms Mallow says, "I'll wash your shoulders". Philly then smiles nervously. It seems slightly cut between this and the next front on shot where Ms Mallow kisses Philly on the cheek.

 At 39m approx: Philly and Ms Mallow arrive home and are going to have sex for the first time. The scene ends after Philly leaves the room when he senses Ms Mallow does not love him. Nothing seems cut here.

At 48m approx: Ms Mallow and Philly have sex for the first time. This scene has definitely been modified as none of the sex is shown. Philly shouting, "Ms Mallow are you okay" plays out over a slow motion pan over the bedroom floor. The footage seems to have been deliberately slowed to mask a cut.

At 73m approx: Ms Mallow and Philly say goodbye. The scene ends with them collapsing on the bed together. Nothing seems cut here.

 

The IMDb makes a mention of a TV version that removes the opening credits scene of the couple in the car, and of Philly sharing a bath with Ms Mallow. This is not the version we have on DVD and VHS.

 

In February 2006, Artisan in the U.S. released a 25th Anniversary DVD. Reviews mention that a couple of scenes of full frontal nudity have been optically fogged. Note that our version contains no full frontal nudity at all.

 

In February 2006, the Cinema Club label in the UK released PRIVATE LESSONS on DVD. Like Australia, the film has always had problems with the censors. So it was not surprising that that the DVD was also cut.

From Melon Farmers.
Cuts were made in several scenes under the Protection of Children Act. Basically every shot where you could see Kristel's nudity and the boy in the same shot was removed. The scenes affected were the striptease, the bath scene and the two sex scenes. In the storyline the boy was meant to be 15 years old

 

Private Lessons - Rigby-CIC Video [au] VHSPrivate Lessons - Umbrella Entertainment [au] DVD

 

 

 

 

Private Obsession

Directed by Lee Frost / 1995 / USA / IMDb

In 1995, Peacock Films had a 103m print of PRIVATE OBSESSION banned by the OFLC.

 

The plot concerns a man who kidnaps and hold prisoner a feminist fashion model. The plot is sleazy, and Shannon Whirry spends much of the time topless, but it contains zero scenes of sexual violence.

There are two instances where she seduces her captor in an effort to escape. However, these are not scenes that should have resulted in an RC-rating. We can only speculate that the Classification Board did not approve of the overall plot of the film.

The uncut U.S. DVD from Image ran 100:51.

 

Lee Frost's LOVE CAMP 7 (1969) also had problems with the Australian censors.

 

 

 

 

The Prodigal Son

Directed by Sammo Hung / 1981 / Hong Kong / IMDb

No doubt concerned that the violence would cause problems, the distributor submitted a 'pre-censor cut version' of THE PRODIGAL SON to the Censorship Board. This 2982.90-meter (109:01) print was awarded an R-rating in April 1982. It went on to a Chinese language theatrical release.

In January 2005, an uncut DVD of THE PRODIGAL SON was passed with an R18+ (Medium level violence) classification. Universal Pictures Video released it on DVD in May 2005.

 

The Prodigal Son - Universal Pictures Video [au} DVD

 

 

Next Films: Pixote: Survival of the Weakest (1981)