2000s to 2020s American movies that have been cut in Australia.
End of the Spear
Directed by Jim Hanon / 2005 / USA / IMDb
In February 2006, a DVD of END OF THE SPEAR received an MA15+ (Strong violence and themes).
The following month, a censored version dropped to M (Moderate violence and themes).
The applicant, Con Dios Entertainment, released it on DVD.
Australian cuts exported
In November 2007, New Zealand’s OFLC awarded a DVD an R16 (Contains violence) classification. The running time was 111:15.
The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards made a successful appeal that saw it dropped to R13 (Medium level violence with some disturbing scenes). This morals group would normally be calling for stricter classification and bans. However, in this case, they argued for a lower rating’…in light of the overall Christian message of the film and its context’.
July 28, 2008
– Register of Classification Decisions
Further Provision Concerning Australian Cross Rating
It is accepted that the Act provides for cross-rating of publications from Australia. On the evidence available to it, there appears to be two versions of END OF THE SPEAR and no definite proof as to which of these versions has been classified in Australia. The Board therefore does not place weight on the Australian rating in this case.
– New Zealand Office of Film & Literature Classification
The DVD was presumably an Australian import of the M-rated censored version.
Step Up 3
aka Step Up 3D
Directed by Jon M. Chu / 2010 / USA / IMDb
On 30 July 2010, STEP UP 3D received an M (Infrequent coarse language).
A 2D 35mm print followed on August 3 and a 3D (AMENDED VERSION) on August 4. Both received PG (Mild coarse language) ratings.
All ran 107-minutes and were submitted by Universal Pictures International. The modified print was released theatrically.
Censored for home viewing
In October 2010, a 140-minute DVD received a PG (Infrequent coarse language).
Universal Pictures Australasia was the applicant.
The Blu-ray release carries the same rating.
Audio censorship
The word ‘fuck’ was removed from STEP UP 3 to reduce the rating from M to PG.
Luke (Rick Malambri) walks through a group of people in an alleyway who call out his name. At 63:43, after finding the door locked, Luke says, ‘What the fuck?’.
The 107:09 PG version, playing on Netflix Australia in 2023, changes this to ‘What the hell? This is bullshit’. Subtitles available online shorten it to ‘What the hell?’. Presumably, the censored Australian version has one of these.
Many online subtitles have the ‘What the hell?’ variant, indicating other territories had the modified version. Luke is shown from behind, so the cut is seamless. It may have been a deliberate choice to leave the language options open and avoid awkward mouth movements.
Manchester by the Sea
Directed by Kenneth Lonergan / 2016 / USA / IMDb
On 6 January 2017, a 138-minute DCP of MANCHESTER BY THE SEA received an MA15+ (Strong coarse language).
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: language
Moderate impact: themes, violence, sex
Mild impact: drug use
None: nudity
This was followed on 23 January by another 138-minute DCP. This time it was rated M (Mature themes, coarse language, violence and sexual references).
The classification matrix described,
Moderate impact: themes, violence, language, sex
Mild impact: drug use
None: nudity
In both cases, Universal Pictures International was the applicant.
The modified M-rated version opened theatrically on 26 January.
What was censored?
A single mention of ‘cunt’ was missing from the Australian theatrical release of MANCHESTER BY THE SEA.
At 76:00, Sandy (Anna Baryshnikov) and Patrick (Lucas Hedges) are on the bed when she asks him, ‘Would you please just take your hand out of my cunt?’.
Uncut DVD & Blu-ray
In February 2017, a 296-minute DVD received an MA15+ (Strong coarse language). The classification matrix was the same as the initial submission.
The applicant, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, released it on DVD and Blu-ray.
Lady Bird
Directed by Greta Gerwig / 2017 / USA / IMDb
On 23 January 2018, a precut 94-minute DCP of LADY BIRD received an MA15+ (Brief strong nudity).
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: nudity
Moderate impact: themes, language, sex
Mild impact: drug use
None: violence
January 23, 2018
Reasons for the Decision:
The classifiable element is nudity that is strong in viewing impact.The examples described below do not represent an exhaustive list of the content that caused the film to be classified MA 15+. The times given are approximations.
NUDITY
The film contains nudity that is strong in impact and justified by context.
At 78 minutes, on her 18th birthday, Lady Bird purchases a packet of cigarettes, a lottery ticket and an issue of the pornographic magazine PLAYGIRL from a convenience store. In front of the convenience store, Lady Bird smokes a cigarette as she reads the PLAYGIRL magazine. An overturned page of the magazine reveals three inset images of a nude man, two of which depict explicit genital detail. The top inset image depicts a tanned, musclebound man lying down with a semi-erect penis draped over his left leg. The bottom-right inset image depicts the same man, seated, holding the base of his vertically-slanting erect penis.
In the Board’s opinion, the overall impact of nudity within the context of this film exceeds moderate and therefore, warrants accommodation within the MA 15+ classification, with consumer advice of brief strong nudity best describing the most impactful content.
– Classification Board report
It was followed on 30 January by another 94-minute DCP now rated M (Mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene).
The classification matrix described,
Moderate impact: themes, language, sex
Mild impact: drug use
None: violence, nudity
January 30, 2018
Synopsis:
A modified version of the previously classified film LADY BIRD, a comedic coming-of-age film about the rebellious titular character. The modification takes the form of a very brief edit.Reasons for the Decision:
The Board notes that the original film has been previously classified MA15+ (with consumer advice of brief strong nudity) on 23 January 2018.
The Board notes that this version has been modified in the form of a brief edit at 78 minutes.
In the Board’s opinion, the modified material comprising this film imparts an impact that does not exceed moderate, therefore this material warrants a M classification with consumer advice of mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene.
The classifiable elements are themes, language and sex that are moderate in viewing impact.
– Classification Board report
In both cases, Universal Pictures International was the applicant.
The modified M-rated version opened theatrically on 15 February.
What censored nudity & language?
Two mentions of ‘cunt’ and a male nude were missing from the M-rated Australian theatrical release of LADY BIRD.
At 40:00, Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) is talking to (Odeya Rush). Referring to Sister Sarah Joan (Lois Smith), she says, ‘She’s a cunt’.
A confused Julie (Beanie Feldstein) replies that Lady Bird likes Sister Sarah Joan. Lady Bird responds, ‘Yeah, but…she’s a cunt’.
Aiming for an M-rating, Universal Pictures International censored both mentions of ‘cunt’ from the first submission. They did not predict that nudity would still result in an MA15+ and require a second submission.
At 78:00, Lady Bird is celebrating turning 18 by purchasing cigarettes and a copy of PLAYGIRL magazine. She holds it up to read, revealing an image of a naked man.
With this shot removed, it was finally M-rated. The censorship played as follows.
February 19, 2018
– Lady Bird (2017) has been censored
Two uses of ‘cunt’ have been censored, one gone completely whilst the other one has been overdubbed with ‘cooze’ in the dialogue.
Also, a brief view of a magazine has been deleted entirely, due to some male genitals briefly visible.
– Facebook.com/MediaCensorshipInAustralia
Uncut Blu-ray & DVD
In April 2018, a 201-minute uncut DVD received an MA15+ (Strong coarse language and brief nudity).
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: language, nudity
Moderate impact: themes, sex
Mild impact: drug use
None: violence
April 20, 2018
Synopsis:
This version of the film is a compilation of a previously unclassified version of the feature film, LADY BIRD, and bonus material in the form of an audio commentary by the film’s director and cinematographer and a featurette titled REALIZING LADY BIRD.Reasons for the Decision:
The classifiable elements are language and nudity that are strong in viewing impact.
The examples described below do not represent an exhaustive list of the content that caused the film to be classified MA 15+. The times given are approximations.LANGUAGE
Strong coarse language may be used. Aggressive or very strong coarse language should be infrequent.
The film contains use of coarse language that is strong in impact. It includes two uses of very strong coarse language in the form of the word “cunt” in addition to use of the word “fuck” and derivatives.
At 38 minutes, Jenna tells Lady Bird, “Sarah-Joan is all up in my jock.” Lady Bird replies, “She’s a cunt” Jenna says, “Birdy, you like her.” Lady Bird retorts, “Yeah, but she’s a cunt.”
In the Board’s opinion, the overall impact of coarse language within the context of this film is no higher than strong and it can therefore, be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification.
NUDITY
The film contains nudity that is strong in impact and justified by context.
At 78 minutes, on her 18th birthday, Lady Bird purchases a packet of cigarettes, a lottery ticket and an issue of the pornographic magazine PLAYGIRL from a convenience store. In front of the convenience store, Lady Bird smokes a cigarette as she reads the PlLAYGIRL magazine. An overturned page of the magazine reveals three inset images of a nude man, two of which depict explicit genital detail. The top inset image depicts a tanned, musclebound man lying down with a semi-erect penis draped over his left leg. The bottom-right inset image depicts the same man, seated, holding the base of his vertically-slanting erect penis.
In the Board’s opinion, the overall impact of nudity within the context of this film exceeds moderate and therefore, warrants accommodation within the MA 15+ classification, with consumer advice of brief strong nudity best describing the most impactful content.
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED OR NOTED
The Board notes that a version of the film was previously classified MA 15+ (with consumer advice of brief strong nudity) on January 23, 2018. A modified version of the film, with the depiction of brief strong nudity removed, was classified M (with consumer advice of mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene) on January 30, 2018.
No version of the feature film has been submitted for classification with strong coarse language in the form of the word “cunt”. As this compilation film does not contain a version of the feature film that has a previous classification history, it is not possible for this application to be processed under the Additional Content Scheme. Accordingly, the Board has processed this as a “film other” application.
The Board also notes that this compilation film contains themes and sex that can be accommodated within a lower classification.
– Classification Board report
The applicant, Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, released it on DVD and Blu-ray.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Directed by Marielle Heller / 2018 / USA / IMDb
In November 2018, a 106-minute Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? passed with an M (Coarse language and sexual references) rating.
The classification matrix described,
Moderate impact: language, sex
Mild impact: themes, drug use
Very mild impact: violence
None: nudity
The applicant, Twentieth Century Fox Film Distributors, precut the film to avoid an MA15+.
Uncut DVD
In February 2019, the complete version passed with an MA15+ (Strong coarse language) rating.
The classification matrix now described,
Strong impact: language
Moderate impact: themes, nudity, sex
Mild impact: drug use
Very mild impact: violence
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment released the 248-minute DVD.
What was censored for an M-rating?
Tom S. reports.
Language and drug use were removed to avoid an MA15+.
At 71:45, Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant) is shown snorting cocaine.
In the M-rated version, he was cropped out via a zoom, which made the grain spike in the scene and created a weird composition that looked inorganic. The camera focuses on Kurt (Christian Navarro). He only briefly comes into frame proper when Kurt blows smoke into his mouth. In the M version, you can only see his arm on the side of the screen, with the focus being on Kurt. This is a very awkward bit of framing, considering he is talking.
At 96:00, Jack says, ‘You’re a horrid cunt, Lee’.
Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) replies, ‘You too, Jack’.
In the M-rated version, he calls her a ‘horrid shit’, but you notice a dub as his mouth is easy to read.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Directed by Martin Scorsese / 2023 / USA / IMDb
On 5 September 2023, a 206-minute DCP of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON received an MA15+ (Strong injury detail and suicide references).
The classification matrix described,
Strong impact: themes
Moderate impact: violence, language
Mild impact: sex
None: drug use, nudity
It was followed on 8 October by another 206-minute DCP but lowered to M (Mature themes, violence, coarse language and suicide references).
The classification matrix now described,
Moderate impact: themes, violence, language
Mild impact: sex
None: drug use, nudity
The dropping of themes from ‘Strong’ to ‘Moderate impact’ may indicate censorship involving suicide.
In both cases, Paramount Pictures Australia was the applicant.
What was censored?
Tom S. reports.
Before – An overhead shot of Reta (Janae Collins) lying on the ground as her family discovers her.
Censored at 115:00 by 00:10 approx.
Shot 1 – Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio) looking worried and breathing heavily. This was removed for continuity reasons.
Shot 2 – Reta’s being hoisted up, leading to her brains hanging out of the back of her head and a gush of blood.
After – Ernest walking closer and looking down worried, whilst a family member off-camera says ‘She’s dead’.