Film Censorship: S #1

Sadistic Whore

Directed by ? / 19?? / Japan

In November 1986, Yu Enterprises had a 1630.00-meter (59:35) print of SADISTIC WHORE banned because of 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

A censored version was prepared, and 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 running time was 1316.64-meters (48:07); meaning around eleven and a half minutes were censored for an Australian audience

The film was passed again in March 1987 with the same rating, and reasons.

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

Savage Man, Savage Beast

Directed by Antonio Climati and Mario Morra / 1975 / Italy / IMDb

In 1976, 94m and 91m prints of SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST were banned by the Australian censors.

In March and April 1976, Roadshow lodged appeals with the Board of Review. In both cases, the decision was to uphold the decision of the Film Censorship Board. SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST went unreleased theatrically in Australia.

In June 1986, Palace Home Video had an 88:39 videotape of SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST passed with an R-rating. This heavily censored version was released on the Palace Explosive label

Palace Explosive Video: The censored footage

Here is what was missing from the Palace Explosive video release of SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST.

THE STAG HUNT

Before - The hunter shoots the stag. Distant view of the stag bucking. Profile of the hunters face.

Censored at 03:30 (26s missing) - Slow-motion close-up of the stag bucking, before it falls to the ground. Close up of the stag's face.

After - Shot of the hunters face looking down at the stag, before he takes out his knife.

THE FOX HUNT

Before - Hunt saboteur speaking "I mean, do they call that fair play?"

Censored at 22:16 (5s missing) - Shot of the hounds tearing the dead fox to pieces.

After - Narrator "These unusual characters..."

DEATH OF PIT DERNITSCH

The footage takes place in a national park, and seems to be genuine. The victim leaves his car to film a lion feeding, before being attacked by a second lion. The animals then proceed to eat his body whilst being filmed by other tourists.

Before - Narrator "...it contained the last scene filmed by Pit Dernitsch"

Censored at 37:04 (17s missing) - Shots of the lions eating Pit Dernitsch's body, now just a mass of meat. His leg can be seen next to a lions head. This shot is featured on the cover of the Palace Explosive Video release.

After - Shots of the lions scattering once the Ranger arrives.

Thanks to HellToPay27 for sending in details of some extra cuts to the Death of Pit Dernitsch scene.

HellToPay27
September 2007
I have corrections for the cuts made to the death of Pit Dernitz by lions.

You list the cuts being 17 seconds in length. However, that is only the first part. There is one more cut made:

Before: A man in a white shirt is waving to try to scare away the lions (narration: "The animals were driven off only after the arrival of a game warden").

CUT: The lions eating Pit for 18 seconds. A man with a beard and glasses waves frantically at the cameraman. There's also a quick shot of Pit's daughter looking dismayed that's inserted between the shots of the lions eating (all of this is cut out).

After: The lioness picks up the video camera with her mouth.

The narration at this point ("The lioness sees the victim's movie camera...") was inserted in a different place on the Palace Video VHS/Grindhouse Experience DVD, because the narration started during the footage that was cut out. They moved the narration to when the lioness is picking up the camera (in the uncut version, the narration begins about four seconds before the lioness picks up the camera while the animals are eating Pit). It then shows the short footage that Mr. Dernitz last shot.

The second cut:

Before: Pit's footage of the lioness ends with the camera falling to the ground.

CUT: More shots of the lions eating Pit, but this time the footage is a bit more graphic. He's been torn in two at this point. The game warden's vehicle arrives and scares the animals away (about 15 seconds).

After: The lions scatter.

I recently obtained the Grindhouse Experience DVD that was just released in here in the states. After comparing the cuts to the Palace Video tape, it's obvious that the distributor's used that tape as the master source for the DVD.

The parts that were cut out are available on the internet, ripped from an uncut Japanese DVD.

THE MERCENARY ATTACK

Mercenaries are hired by a construction company to remove natives from an area of jungle. The hunt, torture, and murder of the inhabitants are recorded on film.

Before - Narrator "The executioner had made an agreement with the photographer to have himself filmed at the moment of killing."

Censored at 75:14 (24s missing) - In the Australian tape the explanation of the footage scrolls on the screen against a black background. In other versions, it scrolls over footage of the mercenaries walking around and the Indio lying on the ground. There is nothing shown that would need censoring, so we would guess that Palace were just supplied with this print.

After - Narrator "These men who hunt the Indio's..."

Before - The Indio is held to the ground, and his legs spread apart. A man with a knife grabs his penis.

Censored at 77:29 (77s missing) - The Indio is tortured and killed. He is scalped and his head is shown being placed in a bag.

After - Shot of a sea eagle catching a fish.

The above scene is definitely difficult to watch, but is actually fake.

"Give-away pointers are a fleeing Indian being shot from behind and actually falling backwards, defying the effects of inertia and bullet velocity impact. During the castration scene the victim has his legs held wide apart, giving easy access to his genitals. The knife rubs against his scrotum but doesn't incise the flesh. The scene cuts to his face for a reaction shot, then back to his voided groin area where we see his legs firmly clamped together, obviously concealing his genitals between them. Fake blood gives the illusion of total castration."

The above quote is taken David Kerekes and David Slater's book KILLING FOR CULTURE: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF DEATH FILM FROM MONDO TO SNUFF. This is highly recommended if you wish to learn more about many of the other mondo or shockumentry titles that have been censored or banned in Australia.

Climati and Morra's SAVAGE trilogy in Australia.

SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST was the first in Antonio Climati and Mario Morra's so-called SAVAGE trilogy.

It was followed by THIS VIOLENT WORLD (1976) which was rated R in May 1986, and released by Palace Explosive Video.

SWEET AND SAVAGE (1983) concluded the trilogy. This was banned by the Australian censors in 1984, before a cut version was passed and released by Premiere Video

In 1984, Mario Morra went solo, and directed SAVAGE ZONE (1984). This was banned by the Australian censors in 1986, before a censored version was passed with an R-rating. In the end, Palace Home Video did not release it.

The final two titles are covered in our Film Censorship Database.

Australian TV screening

A modified version of SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST played late at night on Sydney's Channel Seven in 1992.

Australian DVD release

In 2007, I Entertainment released SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST on DVD with a fake R18+ (Graphic violence, Nudity) rating. The R18+ would no doubt still stand as the print was reportedly taken from the censored Palace Explosive tape. However, the consumer warning was fake.

As HellToPay27 mentioned above, in 2007, the Palace Explosive tape was also used as a master for the version that was released on the U.S. GRINDHOUSE EXPERIENCE box set.

Savage Man, Savage Beast - Palace Explosive Video [au] VHS Savage Man, Savage Beast - I Entertainment [au] DVD

Savage Streets

Directed by Danny Steinmann / 1984 / USA / IMDb

In September 1984, Roadshow Distributors had a 2468.7-meter (90:14) 35mm print of SAVAGE STREETS banned. The print was Refused Registration because of:
Violence
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous
Other: Sexual Violence

An appeal to the Review Board in October 1984 was unsuccessful, and the Refused Registration rating was confirmed.

We believe that a censored version was prepared, but this too was banned in 1985.

In July 1986, CBS/Fox Video submitted an 85m censored version of SAVAGE STREETS, but this too was refused due to 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

A second censored version, running 83m, was prepared, but in October 1986, it was again banned for 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

1986: R-rated at last!

In November 1986, over two years since it was first submitted, the Censorship Board finally passed a heavily censored SAVAGE STREETS.

The R-rating was awarded for:
Violence and Language
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

This third edited version of SAVAGE STREETS ran only 80:45. It was released on tape by CBS/Fox Video.

SAVAGE STREETS: The censored footage.

Thanks to Lucas W for this in-depth look at the censored CBS/Fox VHS of SAVAGE STREETS.

I compared this a long time ago to the uncut Dutch VHS. Remember those pre-DVD days when this was the only way to find uncut films. Anyway, my dub of the Dutch version is now long gone, so I can't go back and confirm the length of the cuts. Those that I have listed are approximate. The position of the cuts in the film mean the CBS/Fox tape. Anyway, I hope this all makes sense.

THE OPENING

The CBS/Fox tape begins with Vince visiting Heather in hospital. This scene is repeated later in the film at 53:50. It is possible it was shown twice so as to boost the films running time following the massive cuts. This scene does not appear at the start of the uncut version.

COLLECTION TIME #1

10:30 approx (30s censored) - The Scars collect money from a guy and his girlfriend. One pulls off the girl's top. Missing are shots of one of the gang touching the girl's breasts, and another putting his head between them. Jake then kicks the man.

COLLECTION TIME #2

14:00 approx - The Scars collect money from Stevie. Missing is a shot of Jake squeezing Stevie's balls.

SHOWER SCENE

20:00 approx (30s censored) - After Heather and Brenda are shown together in the gym a shot of the girl's showers has been removed. This was presumably taken out to remove full-frontal nudity.

SIGN LANGUAGE

23:20 approx - Heather is showing the gang member how to do sign language. He says, "Now I've got one to teach you" Missing is him putting a finger from one hand between a ring he makes with his other hand.

HEATHER IS ATTACKED/CATFIGHT

20:30 approx

Censored (40s) - Heather is pushed around between the gang as they fondle and kiss her.

Censored (15s) - The end of the fight between Brenda and Cherry (?) is missing.

Censored - Heather's clothes are torn off as the gang fight over who will be first.

HEATHER IS RAPED

Before Brenda is shown in the Principal's office.

27:20 approx - Censored (30s) - More shots of Heather's rape.

Before/After - Brenda and her gang leave the school

27:42 - Censored - The rape is over and Jake kicks Heather as she lies on the floor.

THE GANG IN THE CLUB

Missing is one brief shot of a gang member touching a girl.

FRANCINE IS MURDERED

53:50 approx - The gang members chase Francine. Jake throws her off the bridge. A shot her body on the road has been removed.

VINCE'S FLASHBACK

53:50 approx - This is the scene which is at the start of the CBS/Fox tape. Missing is a very brief flashback by Vince of the rape of Heather.

TWO GANG MEMBERS TALKING

61:00 approx - Censored - The two gang members get out of the car then walk along whilst joking about Heather's rape and Francine's death. This should be followed by their murder by Brenda, and then the death of Vince as he is ran over. However, in the CBS/Fox tape the death of Vince has been moved to before the murder of the two gang members.

JAKE IS WOUNDED

67:00 approx - Censored -Close-up shot of Jake removing a crossbow bolt from his leg

JAKE VS BRENDA

71:30 approx

Censored - Jake strangles Brenda.

After - Brenda stabs him.

Censored - Jake pulls the knife from his body.

After - Brenda gets up/

Censored - Jake strangling Brenda.

After - Brenda sets him on fire.

JAKES DEATH

75:00 approx

Censored - Jake stumbles around as he burns. He falls to the ground as Brenda looks on. The police cars begin to arrive.

VOICE OVER

At the end, there is a voice over in the CBS/Fox tape that does not appear in the Dutch VHS.

"This afternoon Brenda Wilson was arranged before the Los Angeles supreme court. Brenda Wilson, a jury of your peers has found you guilty of three counts of first-degree murder. However, due to extraordinary circumstances surrounding this case, I hereby sentence you to 24 months probation. Sentence suspended, case dismissed"

Schnittberichte has an examination of the cuts made to the German version of SAVAGE STREETS. It contains screen grabs of some of the footage that was censored from the Australian CBS/Fox version.

Savage Streets - CBS-Fox Video [au] VHS

The Savage Zone

Directed by Mario Morra / 1984 / Italy / IMDb

In 1986, Palace Home Video had a 95m version of THE SAVAGE ZONE banned because of 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

In March 1987, a censored 93m videotape was passed with an R-rating. A 91m tape was also passed with an R-rating in September 1987. Despite going to the trouble of censoring, and rating the tape, Palace Home Video never did release it in Australia.

Mario Morra was one of the directors of the mondo films SAVAGE MAN, SAVAGE BEAST, and SWEET AND SAVAGE. Both had censorship problems in Australia.

Schoolgirl Hitchhikers

Directed by Jean Rollin / 1973 / France / IMDb

In March 1977, a 2112.00-meter (77:12) print of SCHOOLGIRL HITCHHIKERS was submitted to the Censorship Board. It was passed with an R-rating only after 51.8 meters (114s) of footage was removed. The cuts were made to eliminate 'indecency and excessive violence'.

This print went on to have a theatrical release.

In the early 80s, K&C Video released SCHOOLGIRL HITCHHIKERS on tape. It is hard to judge if this version was censored. The print was in quite poor condition, and ran 73:31.

The whipping of Jackie at the 34m point seems the obvious target for censorship; however, it does not seem obviously cut.

Schoolgirl Hitchhikers - K&C Video [au] VHS

The Schoolgirls' Report

Directed by Ernst Hofbauer / 1970 / West Germany / IMDb

In April 1972, an 8083-feet (90:03) print of THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT was banned.

An appeal to the Review Board in May 1972 confirmed the ' Refusal of the Film Censorship Board to Register'.

A censored version was eventually passed with an R-rating in June 1973, and was released theatrically.

Banned in 1979

In January 1979, THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT was banned again following a re-importation, and re-submission to the censors. The reason given for refusing the 2431.90-meter (88:53) print was that it was 'undesirable public interest'.

Here is how the May to June 1979 issue of Cinema Papers magazine reported the ban.

CENSORSHIP

During the past few months, several industry observers have commented on the increasing repressiveness of Australia's film censorship laws. Some writers have suggested that the level of film censorship has equalled the severity of the pre-"R" Certificate days, while others have pointed out the parallels between the changes in film censorship and the new, draconian literary censorship laws in Victoria, where the sale of magazines such as PLAYBOY is occasionally restricted.

Despite the many ominous signs, however, the film industry, the national press, and the public have remained apathetic, no !doubt believing things to be better than they are painted.

Fortunately, the January 1979 censorship list has provided concrete proof' of the accuracy of these reports: among the four films listed under "Films Refused Registration" are SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT and SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT - WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP, two films which have been in release for five years. Despite the 'fact that these two "R"-rated films have raise neither public outrage nor the level of immorality in the community, the Chief Censor, Mr Richard Prowse, has decided the time is now ripe to ban them. And to achieve this, he has called on the little-used Section 13 (d) of the Censorship Act. This section allows for the rejection of any film which, in the opinion of the Censor, "depicts matter which is undesirable in the public Interest".

In an article on film censorship in Australia (Cinema Papers, No. 11, PPs 206-208), the then Deputy-Chief Censor, Janet Strickland, said that the censorship board used Section 13 (d) to reject films concerning "drug abuse, hijacking, etc". One example is the banning of HIJAKED, which the Censor felt too graphically demonstrated how a plane could be hijacked in mid-air.

The two SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT films, however, are clearly of a different type. When contacted and asked why section 13 (d) was invoked in these cases, Prowse said that the films were felt to contravene the child pornography laws in several states. These laws prevent the use of children under the age of 16 in depictions of a sexually implicit or e pornographic nature. (the banning of PRETTY BABY in Queensland is a case in point). What makes the application of these laws difficult is that in almost all cases the Censor is unaware of the real ages of the children used. For example, a film may claim to be about permissive 13 year-olds but actually use actors over 16 years of age. In the case of SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT and SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT - WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP, the Censor considered the actors (or some of the actors) be under-aged - no doubt without consulting the German makers of the film. .

Another issue raised by these rejections is the question whether the Commonwealth Censor can ban a film already in release. According to the Commonwealth Censorship Act it cannot, but a loophole does exist because several of the states allow for such a turn about decision in their own censorship laws (New South Wales is one such state.) In the case of SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT and SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT - WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP, however Prowse was not required to invoke these laws because the film had been re-imported and therefore required re-classification.

Coupled with the Censorship Board's changing attitudes to censorship has been a noticeable decline in communication between the Board and film distributors, particularly those handling sex films. At present, a distributor cuts any controversial film according to what he believes are the standards of the time. This "reconstructed" version is then sent to the Censorship Board, which may or may not pass It. If the film is rejected, it is then sent back to the distributor for further cuts. As a rule, however, the Board does not give any indication of what further cuts are required, and the distributor Is left in the dark As a result, reconstruction becomes an expensive game of chance.

2007: Booked for MUFF 8

In 2007, THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT was due to screen at the 8th Melbourne Underground Film Festival.

Melbourne Underground Film Festival 8
Program Notes

Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten
Dir: Ernst Hofbauer

The classic salacious sex report pseudo doco from swinging 1970’s Germany makes an appearance at MUFF 8. Translated as Schoolgirl Report: What parents don’t think is possible was a huge hit in the Fatherland back in the day. Featuring eighteen and nineteen year old German Uni honeys with long hair getting it on intermixed with interviews with real Uni students. Lots of fun and part of the classic German trait to disguise erotica as scientific research.!
7pm Thurs 27 Sept 2007
REVOLVER 229 Chapel Street Prahran, Melbourne

Banned in 2007

THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT was scrapped after the OFLC's Amy Wooding refused to grant film festival exemptions for it, and six other films. This was not the first time that MUFF had run into problems with the censors. In 2004, the OFLC demanded that THE TOOLBOX MURDERS (1978), WIFE TO BE SACRIFICED, AND ZA GINIPIGGU 1 and 2 be pulled from the festival.

The Melbourne Underground Film Festival issued the following press release.

MUFF 8 films banned!
September 20th 2007

The Following films have been banned from the OFLC:

70k
Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten (aka The Schoolgirl Report)
Sex Wish
The Farmer's Daughter
Ashley & Kisha: Finding the Right Fit
Whore
60 Second Relief

We will replacing them with other films from the MUFF program.

This Sunday 70k will be replaced with a second screening of Streetsweeper… a good MUFF Neu that we can play. Whore and 60 Second Relief are withdrawn and nothing will fill their place. The Other films will be replaced. More details on Monday.

Will the media even cover this? Do people care about censorship in this country?

Letter to OFLC

Here is a copy of a letter sent to our OFLC contact Amy Wooding. Any response we will share with our MUFF audience:

Hi Amy, I thought I'd write to you about this year's decision.

So the films I cannot play at MUFF 8 are the following:

70k, Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten (aka The Schoolgirl Report), Sex Wish, The Farmer's Daughter, Ashley & Kisha: Finding the Right Fit, Whore and 60 Second Relief

Is this correct?

I will comply and withdraw them from screenings and replace them with films you have granted permission for me to play (like Moonlight and Magic, Left Ear, etc).

A few small questions, you might be able to answer or maybe the OFLC director can answer them (If you have his email I'll cc this to him):

Why is pornography of the most gross and offensive nature (like shitting and pissing films) available for sale in most Adult bookshops in Victoria?

Also: Are not X rated films only supposed to be available in Canberra but for sale in 90% of Adult shops in Vic and NSW and in other states?

Why is MUFF referred to the justice department for wishing to screen a couple of classy or forgotten pieces of erotica with artistic merit to an audience over 18 (who are keen to see them) and nothing done about the illegal X rated sale of videos and DVD's in sex shops that is rampant?

Is there not a hint of corruption or hypocrisy and definitely absurdity here?

Why are X rated films banned at all! It begs the question given the ready availability of it in on the Internet? Available on any PC, anywhere.

A MUFF screening is a minor problem compared to the flaunting of your rules every day of every year by the Adult Sex Industry.

Why are films like Shortbus and 9 Songs passed though they clearly contravene some of your guidelines?

Why is MIFF allowed to play a film like Exterminating Angles in a section that focussed on perversity and erotica though that too contravenes your guideline? And we cannot do it? We will comply with your absurd ruling out of fear of prosecution to our small festival but register our complaint also that this is neither fair or just. We believe strongly it represents a violation of the basic human rights of Australian citizens to freedom of speech, assembly and expression.

Enabling a festival like MUFF or MIFF to play whatever they choose from the classy end of the sex industry will lift both festivals standing in the International community and not reveal a backward 1950's attitude to sex and censorship in Australia. Your own guidelines date from over 50 years ago. Surely a review is in order?

I am cc-ing this email to the MIFF Festival Director Richard Moore for his interest. His comments and feelings on the matter I would be interested to hear.

Any answers to these questions or our complaint will be greatly appreciated from the OFLC.

This letter is not written in disrespect but in a wish for better clarification of the important issues it contains.

Best Regards Richard Wolstencroft

PS. Why is 70k banned it has no sex or violence at all does it?

MUFF opens tonight at Toff in Town come down and support a festival that believes in fighting censorship!

The SCHOOLGIRL REPORT series in Australia

Part 2: THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT: WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP was banned in 1979 (see below)
Part 3: SCHOOLGIRLS GROWING UP - R-rated in August 1974

The Schoolgirls' Report - Why Parents Lose Their Sleep

Dir Ernst Hofbauer / 1971 / West Germany / IMDb

In September 1973, THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT: WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP, was the second film in the series, and was passed with an R-rating. It went on to have an Australian theatrical release.

Banned in 1979

In January 1979, THE SCHOOLGIRLS' REPORT: WHY PARENTS LOSE THEIR SLEEP was banned again following a re-importation, and re-submission to the censors. The reason given for refusing the film was that it was 'undesirable public interest'.

Here is how the May to June 1979 issue of Cinema Papers magazine reported the ban.

CENSORSHIP

Despite the many ominous signs, however, the film industry, the national press, and the public have remained apathetic, no !doubt believing things to be better than they are painted.

Schramm

Directed by Jörg Buttgereit / 1993 / Germany / IMDb

There is one report from 2004 of customs confiscating a DVD of SCHRAMM.

Score

Directed by Radley Metzger / 1973 / USA / IMDb

In September 1974, MGM BEF Film Distributors submitted a 2346.00-meter (85:45) 35mm print of SCORE to the censors. It was Refused Registration on the grounds of indecency. An appeal to the Review Board failed in November 1974.

The print was eventually cut down to 79m and an R-rated theatrical release proceeded.

The 90s: X-rated and R-rated

In June 1991, RCA/Columbia/Hoyts Video had a 92m VHS of SCORE passed with an X18+ (Contains sexually explicit material) rating. We presume this was the fully uncut version, and that it was never released.

The adult hardcore market was not where the film was being aimed, so a 79m (79:07) censored version was prepared. This was passed as R18+ (High level sex scenes, Drug use) in May 1992. The VHS tape came out on the First Release label. Thanks to Stephen F for the cover scan.

Censored DVD release

In November 2004, a DVD of SCORE was passed with an R18+ (High level sex scenes, Drug use) rating.

In April 2005, Umbrella Entertainment released it as part of a box set titled THE SEXADELIC COLLECTION. This also included Radley Metzger's CAMILLE 2000, and THE LICKERISH QUARTET. Umbrella released SCORE as an individual disc in January 2006.

Umbrella Entertainment's DVD of SCORE ran 84:43, and was the same as the censored US First Run Features release. Judging by the running times, the version submitted in June 1991 would seem to have been the same as the uncut Audubon tape.

SCORE: Uncut version vs. Censored Umbrella Entertainment DVD

Thanks to Marc Morris for this list of cuts to SCORE.

Score: Versions Compared

The Audubon tape runs 91 minutes 31 seconds, while the First Run Features version runs 84 minutes 43 seconds. All the cuts occur within the same reel. Since full-frontal male nudity and a fairly explicit shot of male masturbation can still be found elsewhere in the film, it seems likely that Metzger was asked specifically to edit this one reel (the first cut involves the reel's opening shots).

The First Run print, unlike the Audubon print, has a 1976 copyright date under the opening title.

The cuts occur at the following points in First Run Feature's cassette:

61 minutes 9 seconds: 20 seconds of Jack removing Eddie's shoes, with Jack's penis clearly visible.

61 minutes 26 seconds: A few seconds cut from the zoom in to Elvira between Betsy's legs.

65 minutes 20 seconds: A single shot of pubic hair removed.

65 minutes 23 seconds: Shot of pubic hair shortened by a few frames.

65 minutes 42 seconds: The middle of the shot of Jack and Eddie kissing has been removed, eliminating the section in which the camera lingers on a penis.

66 minutes 32 seconds: Some lesbianism cut.

66 minutes 40 seconds: A 1 minute 35 seconds section has been removed eliminating lesbianism and shots of erect penises.

67 minutes 29 seconds: The shot of Eddie sitting on the bed now ends before the camera pulls back, revealing his penis.

67 minutes 38 seconds: Very brief shot of Jack between Eddie's legs cut.

67 minutes 42 seconds: 47 seconds of gay sex cut.

67 minutes 52 seconds: 26 seconds of hardcore blowjob footage cut.

68 minutes 6 seconds: The middle of a shot has been removed, eliminating a blowjob.

68 minutes 30 seconds: Shot of pubic hair shortened.

69 minutes 14 seconds: Shot of Betsy kissing Elvira's pubic hair cut.

69 minutes 23 seconds: The middle of a shot cut as Eddie strokes Jack's bottom.

69 minutes 33 seconds: Shot of lesbianism and erect penises cut.

69 minutes 42 seconds: A few frames of Eddie burying his head between Jack's legs cut.

69 minutes 47 seconds: Shots of bottom fondling cut.

69 minutes 50 seconds: Shots of blowjob cut.

69 minutes 59 seconds: Shots of Betsy between Elvira's legs cut.

70 minutes 9 seconds: Shots of lesbianism and blow job cut.

70 minutes 50 seconds: Shots of gay sex cut.

71 minutes 23 seconds: Shots of Elvira penetrating Betsy from behind cut. A 2 second outtake has been added in order to bridge the cut. The extra footage, which is noticeably scratched, consists of a single close up of Betsy.

72 minutes 4 seconds: Shots of lesbianism reflected in a mirror cut.

72 minutes 18 seconds: Shots of Elvira penetrating Betsy from behind cut.

72 minutes 24 seconds: More shots of Elvira behind Betsy cut.

72 minutes 43 seconds: Shots of gay lovemaking cut.

72 minutes 51 seconds: Shots of gay lovemaking cut.

73 minutes 2 seconds: Shots of gay lovemaking cut.

73 minutes 25 seconds: Middle of shot of gay lovemaking cut.

The cuts total 30 in all. Audubon's tape is cropped from the original 1.85:1 ratio, but this is not too disastrous - it's still obviously the only acceptable version.

Thanks to Brad Stevens for comparing the two releases.

Movie-Censorship also has a comparison, with pictures, of the two versions.

Score - First Release [au] VHS Score - Umbrella Entertainment [au] DVD 1

Scrapbook

Directed by Eric Stanze / 2000 / USA / IMDb

There is one confirmed customs confiscation of a SCRAPBOOK DVD from the early 2000s.

It played at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival in June 2004.

SCRAPBOOK
USA | 1999 | 97 min

Eric Stanze’s low budget shocker (“True horror is simply what one human being can do to another!”) has polarized viewers and has been compared to cult classics such as Craven’s LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. More an essay on conscious cruelty than narrative fiction, a strong central performance by Emily Haack keeps the proceedings anchored and a willingness to cross boundaries maintains interest. Scripter Tommy Biondo, who plays the aggressive Leonard, gives the role his all. Unfortunately, he died before seeing SCRAPBOOK. Director Stanze has made a slew of low budget, shot-on-video productions and he continues to do so with obvious sincerity... Wednesday July 14th 9pm Gertrudes.

Scream for Vengeance

Directed by Bob Bliss / 1979 / USA / IMDb

In July 1982, Video Classics had a 2558.00-meter (93:30) 35mm print of SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE banned.

It was Refused Registration because of:
Violence
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous
Other: Sexual Violence

Censored video Rated R

In May 1984, Video Classics had a cut 87:21 tape passed by the Censorship Board.
The R-rating was awarded for:
Violence
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE: The censored footage

Many thanks to Matt for this in-depth look at the cuts made to the Video Classics release of SCREAM FOR VENGEANCE.

I've always considered this sleazy little movie to be a guilty pleasure. However, I have always suspected that our tape release on the Video Classics label was cut.

I eventually tracked down the uncut Intervision UK pre-cert tape from the early 80s and did a comparison of the two. Our Video Classics tape runs 87:21, whilst the Intervision one runs 89:19. This means 115s has been censored from the Australian tape.

In light of some of the recent decisions by the Classification Board, I believe this film would now easily get an uncut R. If the far more graphic LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (a film that also has that sleazy 70s feel), can be passed our censors, then this should too.

Here is a list of the cuts.

LUKE AND SHARI

Before - Like kneels in front of Shari and says, "Easy, easy, take it easy"

CENSORED AT 17:52 (12s missing) - He fondles her breasts and says "You've got one hell of a body for a sixteen year old"

After/Before - Shot of Luke from behind Shari. He says, "Hey yeah, soft!" as he pulls her blouse down from her shoulder. He then says "Let's take a look here and see what's happening"

CENSORED AT 18:22 (22s missing) - Luke uses the knife to cut of her bra. He says "sweet sixteen, never been touched"

After - Shot of Del struggling in her chair.

DEATH OF DEL LOMAS

Before - Luke picks himself up off the floor and shouts to Del, "You bitch!", as he slices her throat and stabs her once.

CENSORED AT 19:08 (2s missing) - Luke stabs Del a further two times.

After/Before - Shari faints.

CENSORED AT 19:10 (5s missing - Luke stabs Del a further six times.

After - continuation of the above scene. Luke shown stabbing Del twice.

Before - Brief shot of Del with her throat cut.

CENSORED AT 19:20 (3s missing) - longer shot of Del with her throat cut.

After - Luke standing with a knife.

DEATH OF TONY LOMAS

Before - Shot of Tony's body lying on the floor.

CENSORED AT 26:03 (22s missing) - Much longer shot of the body as the camera moves away.

After - The thieves car driving away into the distance.

DEATH OF SHARI LOMAS

Before - Shari sits naked on the sofa. Luke looks over to the body of Del. Brief shot of Del's body with the throat cut.

CENSORED AT 27:46 (3s missing) - Longer shot of Del's body.

After/Before - Luke looks over to Shari. He raises his gun and shoots.

CENSORED AT 27:55 (30s missing) - Shari's body is hit by the bullets twice before falling to the floor.

After - Luke leaving the house.

DEATH OF LUKE

Before - Mark stabs Luke in the chest with a pitchfork before he drops to the ground.

CENSORED AT 81:13 (16s missing) - Luke slowly slides down the wall with the pitchfork still sticking out of his chest. He then lays still.

After - Jenny wakes up and looks over to the body of Luke.

Scream for Vengeance - Video Classics [au] VHS

Scream Greats Volume 1: Tom Savini

Directed by Damon Santostefano / 1985 / USA / IMDb

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

In April 1986, the Australian censors passed an uncut version of SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1: TOM SAVINI with an R-rating.

The rating was awarded for violence, which was described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Justified
Other: Horror Special Effects

SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1 contains uncut scenes from several other films that the Australian censors had banned due to excessive violence. Apparently, a scene placed in an hour-long, non-stop barrage of violent clips, is okay, where as the same scene placed in the context of a film is not.

Uncut scenes are shown from the following titles. All are covered in out Film Censorship Database.

Day of the Dead (1985)

DAY OF THE DEAD was banned by the Australian censors in February 1986. It did not receive an uncut R-rating until November 1988. The most violent clips from the movie are presented here in all their uncut detail.

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER was banned in 1985, and was passed with an R-rating after the removal of Jason's machete death scene. In SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1, it can be seen at 13:38.

Maniac (1980)

MANIAC was banned by the Film Censorship Board in May 1981, before being heavily cut for an R-rating in April 1982.

SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1 contains several scenes that were missing from the censored Video Classics tape.

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.

Rosemary's Killer (1981) aka The Prowler

The uncut version of ROSEMARY'S KILLER was banned in 1982, and again in August 1985.

In SCREAM GREATS VOLUME 1, Tom Savini shows how three effects shots were achieved. These were all censored in the R-rated Video Classics VHS.

08:09 - A shot of the killer moving the knife around in Sherry's neck.
08:20 - The knife going into Miss Allison's neck.
08:28 - Tom Savini is shown plunging the knife into the top of Carl's head, and the blade exiting his throat.

Scream Greats Volume 1: Tom Savini - Showcase Video [au] VHS

A Scream in the Streets

aka Girls in the Streets

Directed by Carl Monson / 1973 / USA / IMDb

In January 1975, a 2514.00-meter (91:53) 35mm print of A SCREAM IN THE STREETS was Refused Registration for reasons of indecency.

A 2279.00-meter (83:18) reconstructed version lost another 4.9-meters (10s) before being awarded an R-rating in April 1976. It went on to a theatrical release under the title GIRLS IN THE STREETS.

Censored KGC and K&C Video releases

In the early 80s, KGC Video released GIRLS IN THE STREETS on tape. The cover was a generic Adult Entertainment box, with a name sticker to identify the film. Thanks to Darren for the scan.

GIRLS IN THE STREETS was re-released by K&C Video. The running time of 76:59 indicates that it was heavily censored. Thanks to Stephen F for the time and cover scan. KGC Video and K&C Video were the same company, so we assume that both versions were the same.

Banned and censored on video

In February 1985, applicant C.White had a 90m videotape banned because of 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

As A SCREAM IN THE STREETS, it was eventually released on the Platinum Video label in a 69:06 heavily cut version.

In 1981, the Australian censor also banned Carl Monson's THE TAKERS (1971).

A Scream in the Streets - KCG Video [au] VHS A Scream in the Streets - K&C Video [au] VHS A Scream in the Streets - Platinum Video [au] VHS

The Search

Directed by Juan Carlos Desanzo / 1985 / Argentina / IMDb

In April 1988, RCA-Columbia Pictures/Hoyts Video had an 85m videotape of THE SEARCH banned because of 'gratuitous sexual violence'.

Thanks to Steven for this review of THE SEARCH.

The scenes of ‘gratuitous sexual violence’ are all contained in the first fifteen minutes of THE SEARCH.

Four armed thugs invade a family home in order to pull a car-selling swindle.

08:00 to 09:00 approximately – Ringo runs his shotgun over Patricia’s body. He uses the gun to open her robe and rubs the gun against her breasts.

12:00 to 15:30 approximately – The gang get the Husband, Wife, Daughter (Patricia), and Son to sit around a table. Ringo shows a pornographic picture to the Son, before getting under the table and attempting to force Patricia’s legs open with the shotgun. The Husband kicks him in the head to stop him. Ringo responds by jumping up and smashing the Husband’s head on the table, and gesturing to the Wife to give him a blowjob. He begins to open his trousers, but the Wife refuses. Ringo then points the gun at Patricia, and the Wife begins to move forward, and (although not shown) begins to give him a blowjob. The husband breaks free and stops the situation, before he is killed.

The opening fifteen minutes of the home invasion are really well handled, and very tense. Unfortunately, the rest of the film does not quite match it. The remainder of the plot has Patricia hunting down and killing the four-gang members in various gory ways.

The print that I viewed came form a Japanese videotape and ran 85:29 (including 9s of the Cine-World Distribution title card). It looked to be uncut, apart from a very brief moment of Japanese optical fogging of some nudity during Pat’s tour of the massage parlour.

Searching for Love

Directed by Yong Chin Bong / 1987 / Hong Kong / IMDb

In 1986, a 90m 35mm print of SEARCHING FOR LOVE was banned. Yu Enterprises censored it down to 88m, and gave it a Chinese language theatrical release.

The Seduction of Amy

Directed by Jean Rollin / 1975 / France / IMDb

In 1985, 14th Mandolin had a 46:01 print of THE SEDUCTION OF AMY passed with an R-rating. This version was pre-cut by the distributor to remove all the hardcore footage, and was released by Pink Video-Essex Video.

Before the feature begins the following warning is given.

Due to Government Censorship the movie you are about to see has been severely edited.
Because of the shorter running time, this cassette contains a double feature.
To register a complaint please write to your local or Federal Member of Parliament or write direct to the Censorship Office.
7th Floor,
222 Pitt St,
Sydney
NSW 2000

The R-rated tape is not a total loss, as the double-feature is a crazy cut down German sex-comedy called SEX PLAY.

Banned hardcore version

As was the case with many of the R-rated Pink Video titles, hardcore X-rated ones were also released. This was probably what they were trying to do in 1986, when the censors banned a 67m videotape.

The Seduction of Amy - Pink Video-Essex Video [au] VHS

The Seductress

Directed by Lui Kei / 1987 / Hong Kong / IMDb

In 1987, a 35mm print of THE SEDUCTRESS was censored down from 93m to 90m before being awarded an R-rating.

Golden Reel Films gave it a Chinese language theatrical release.