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Billy Madison...

A BBFC card for a previously unknown 12 rated cinema certificate appears on eBay


Link Here30th August 2024

Billy Madison is a 1995 US comedy by Tamra Davis
Starring Adam Sandler, Darren McGavin and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras Melon Farmers link  YouTube icon   BBFC link 2020  IMDb

Thanks to Scott who commented:

A set of two original BBFC cinema black cards for this Adam Sandler comedy turned up on eBay recently - one for a 12 classification, the other for a PG: However, the only classification for the film listed on the BBFC's website is the PG - cut for this cert. I emailed them to ask if it had initially been given a 12 - this was their response:

The film was originally classified uncut at 12. The film company later resubmitted it in order to secure a PG and asked for cuts to achieve this.

This cut PG rated version continued on 1997 VHS and 2002 DVD, but in 2008 the film was released uncut on DVD with a BBFC 12 rating. Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated in the US.

Versions

uncut
uncut
run: 89:52s
pal: 86:16s

 

12 cert

MPAA PG-13

UK: Passed 12 uncut with previous BBFC cuts waived for:

US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:

BBFC
category cuts
cut: 17s
run: 89:19s
pal: 85:45s

 

BBFC PG 1982UK: Passed PG after 17s of BBFC cuts for:
  • 2002 UIP R2 DVD

The BBFC commented:

  • The cuts were Compulsory. Cuts required to remove strong language and images of blood spitting and man engulfed in fire for PG. According to BBFC policy, works of the same title passed after July 1994 should normally be given the same category.

The BBFC cuts were:

  1. Billy Madisan's dialogue: You get your ass out of there and find the fucking dog loses the fucking
  2. A party clown injures himself after falling off his stilts but we don't get to see the blood running from his mouth
  3. There is a shot missing of a man in a kitchen in flames.
BBFC
 category cuts
cut: 28s
run: 89:11s
pal: 85:37s
BBFC PG 1982UK: Passed PG after 28s of BBFC cuts for:
  • 1997 Universal VHS
  • 1997 cinema release

The BBFC cuts were

  1. Billy Madisan's dialogue: You get your ass out of there and find the fucking dog loses the fucking
  2. A party clown injures himself after falling off his stilts but we don't get to see the blood running from his mouth
  3. A schoolroom prank involving a card which says Yes I'm horny. The BBFC didn't see the funny side and removed the joke
  4. There is a shot missing of a man in a kitchen in flames.
uncut
uncut

 

BBFC 12 1982   UK: Passed 12 uncut for:
  • 1997 cinema release (unreleased)

Thanks to Scott who asked the BBFC to comment about this. the BBFC responded:

The film was originally classified uncut at 12. The film company later resubmitted it in order to secure a PG and asked for cuts to achieve this:

 

 

The Myth Of Caligula...

An interesting article detailing the many versions of the film including the latest Ultimate Cut


Link Here30th August 2024
Caligula is a 1979 Italy/US historical drama by Tinto Brass
Starring Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren BBFC link 2020 IMDb
Originally cut in the UK and US for an 18 rated UK and R rated US theatrical release. There also exists Tinto Brass' Alternative Version which does not include the hardcore footage added by the producers. The full uncut version was passed 18 uncut for 2008 DVD. This full uncut version is MPAA Unrated in the US. The Hardcore Version was banned in Australia in 2010.

In 2018 Penthouse announced a plan running over a couple of years for a 4k restoration of the Tinto Brass version. However the bankruptcy of Penthouse may have put an end to the idea. In 2023 Dafthouse Films announced a new Producer's Cut (arrogantly labelled the Ultimate Cut) by Thomas Negovan. This will be reconstructed from previously unreleased footage and unpromisingly suggests that this will be a more 'civilised' take on the Caligula story.

See version details from desperate-living.com

Summary Notes

A dramatization of the ascent to Caesar and subsequent reign of Caligula, one of the most notorious leaders of ancient Rome. We see his ambition, his scheming, his perversion and decadence, his brutality and his lunacy.

Ultimate Cut

uncut
Ultimate Cut
run: 177:59s
pal: 170:52s
18UK: The Ultimate Cut: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for strong real sex, sex references, nudity, sexual violence:
  • 2024 Vertigo Releasing cinema release (rated 19/07/2024) titled Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

 

Uncut Version

uncut
Uncut Version
run: 156:00s
pal: 149:46s

 

18

MPAA Unrated

UK:  The Uncut Version was passed 18 uncut for strong violence, sexual violence and strong real sex with previous cuts waived for:
  • 2012 Arrow Unlimited Edition R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
  • 2010 Arrow R0 Blu-ray
  • 2009 Arrow Uncut Edition R2 DVD
  • 2008 Freemantlemedia/Arrow Imperial Edition [+alternative version +R Rated Version] R2 DVD at UK Amazon

US : Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

From the BBFC:

In 2008, the full uncut version of Caligula was resubmitted to the BBFC for DVD release. The passage of nearly 30 years had significantly diminished the film's impact and after careful consideration it was decided that it could now be classified '18' uncut.

This decision accords with the BBFC Guidelines, which state that At '18', the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law.

Although there are scenes in Caligula that some people will find shocking, offensive or disgusting, the film does not contain any material that is illegal in terms of current UK law and nor does it contain any material that is likely to give rise to harm for adults audiences, most of whom will be well aware of its controversial reputation.

The DVD version was classified '18' uncut with the consumer advice Contains strong violence, sexual violence and strong real sex.

BBFC uncut
uncut
RC
Australia
Australia: The uncut version was banned in July 2010

See article from refused-classification.com

The Australian Censorship Board has a rich history of censorship of Caligula

Tinto Brass Alternative Version/Imperial Edition

uncut
Tinto Brass
Alternative Version
run: 152:57s
pal: 146:50s
18UK: The Alternative Version or Re-edited Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
  • 2008 Freemantlemedia/Arrow Imperial Edition [+uncut version +R Rated Version] R2 DVD

This version is perhaps is historically at the point where Bob Guccione edited together a version from the material directed by Tinto Brass but before he decided that it could be improved by adding hardcore footage. So orgy scenes etc are the original softcore as directed by Tinto Brass. See pictorial version details from movie-censorship.com

US R Rated Version

BBFC uncut

mpaa cut
 R Rated Version

cut: 55:07s
run: 102:37s
pal: 98:31s
18

MPAA R

UK: The heavily pre-cut US R rated version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
  • 2008 Freemantlemedia/Arrow Imperial Edition [+uncut version +alternative version] R2 DVD
  • 1998 Screen Multimedia VHS
  • 1990 Electric VHS

A couple of brief shots of genital detail and sight of nurses cradling babies and phallic shaped bottles were reinstated from the the previous cut release and were allowed to remain.

Many of the cuts were not related to sex & violence but to shorten the running time and deal with continuity issues over sex and violent scenes that were cut. See details on IMDB

UK Theatrical Version

BBFC cut
cut
cut: 11m
run: 149:34s
pal: 143:35s

 

pre-cert VHS

X cert

UK: Passed X after about 11 minutes of cuts for:
  • 1982 Electric pre-cert VHS
  • 1980 cinema release

James Ferman commented in Photoplay:

Even before it could be considered for a certificate some 8.5 minutes had to be cut to make it legal. There are scenes of perverted violence that I wouldn't have thought would ever have been seen in this country, in clubs or anywhere else. A lot of the sex was just straight sex, but more explicit than has ever been passed here. They took out another 3 or 4 minutes and replaced it with lesser material to make it acceptable for the X certificate.

11 minutes of cuts including:

  • Views of Drusilla's vulva removed from several pints in the film
  • Sights of babies sucking phallic-shaped bottles removed
  • Much reduced scene of bootlace being tied around soldier's penis.
  • Hardcore action inserted into orgy scenes taken out
  • The sight of wine streaming out of soldier's bladder after being hacked with a sword removed.
  • Torture shots deleted, a stake into a vagina and several bloodied genitals.
  • Male blow job and masturbation deleted
  • Priestess bathing loses hardcore cunnilingus and insertion
  • Blood of recently ex virgin bride deleted as was greasing of the buttocks and suggestion of fisting for the similarly road tested bridegroom
  • A Lesbian scene lost all hardcore and explicit images
  • Death of Proculus lost a stabbing and the subsequent humiliation of being pissed on and castrated.
  • The sight of Caligula torturing a mouse was deleted.
  • A childbirth scene is missing an emerging head.
  • Hardcore elements of prison scene deleted
  • Hardcore elements of brothel scene deleted
  • Explicit detail removed from scene of women with pearl adorned vulvas
 

 

 

The Diamond Sword and The Golden Throne...

Kazakhstan action drama by Rustem Abdrashev are the latest video cut by the BBFC for a cock fight and horse falls


Link Here23rd August 2024
The Diamond Sword is a 2016 Kazakhstan/Mongolia action drama by Rustem Abdrashev
Starring Kairat Kemalov, Yerkebulan Daiyrov and Doskhan Zholzhaksynov BBFC link 2020 IMDb
Cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty for 15 rated Blu-ray in 2024.

Summary Notes

Diamond Sword is a large-scale historical drama of first Kazakh Khans, which BBC called "Kazakh Game Of Thrones". The action takes place in the XV century, and the plot demonstrates the key events in formation of Kazakh statehood under the leadership of Khans Zhanibek and Kerey.

Versions

BBFC cut
cut:
cut:
run: 133m
pal: 128m
15UK: BBFC 15 rated for strong violence, injury detail for strong violence, injury detail after BBFC cuts:
  • 2024 Matchbox Films (RB) Blu-ray (rated 17/07/2024) at UK Amazon #ad released on 23rd September 2024

The BBFC commented:

This work required compulsory cuts. Cuts were required to scenes of animal cruelty, including a cock fight and horse falls.

 

The Golden Throne is a 2019 Kazakhstan action drama by Rustem Abdrashev, I. Kolyada, Prince Oak Oakleyski
Starring Kairat Kemalov, Yerkebulan Daiyrov and Doskhan Zholzhaksynov BBFC link 2020   IMDb

Cut by the BBFC for animal cruelty for 15 rated Blu-ray in 2024.

Summary Notes

Fifteenth century. In the vast expanses of Eurasia for several centuries, the descendants of the great Genghis Khan have created their own and crushed the alien states. One of them is the legendary Abulkhair Shaibani, who usurped power in the White Horde. The two legitimate heirs...

Versions

BBFC cut
cut
cut:
run: 111:21s
pal: 106:54s
15UK: BBFC 15 rated for strong violence, injury detail, threat for strong violence, injury detail, threat after BBFC cuts:

The BBFC commented:

This work required compulsory cuts. Cuts were required to scenes of animal cruelty in which horses were caused to fall.

 

 

Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSA)...

US senate causes mental distress in libertarians and the adult industry


Link Here10th August 2024
Full story: Internet Minors...Criminalising internet comms harmful to minors

The US Senate just passed a bill that will let the federal and state governments investigate and sue websites that they claim cause kids mental distress . It's a terrible idea to let politicians and bureaucrats decide what people should read and view online, but the Senate passed KOSA on a 91-3 vote.

Bill proponents have focused on some truly tragic stories of loss, and then tied these tragedies to the internet. But anxiety, eating disorders, drug abuse, gambling, tobacco and alcohol use by minors, and the host of other ills that KOSA purports to address all existed well before the internet.

The Senate vote means that the House could take up and vote on this bill at any time. The House could also choose to debate its own, similarly flawed, version of KOSA. Several members of the House have expressed concerns about the bill.

The members of Congress who vote for this bill should remember -- they do not, and will not, control who will be in charge of punishing bad internet speech. The Federal Trade Commission, majority-controlled by the President's party, will be able to decide what kind of content harms minors, then investigate or file lawsuits against websites that host that content.

Politicians in both parties have sought to control various types of internet content. One bill sponsor has said that widely used educational materials that teach about the history of racism in the U.S. causes depression in kids. Kids speaking out about mental health challenges or trying to help friends with addiction are likely to be treated the same as those promoting addictive or self-harming behaviors, and will be kicked offline. Minors engaging in activism or even discussing the news could be shut down, since the grounds for suing websites expand to conditions like anxiety.

KOSA will lead to people who make online content about sex education, and LGBTQ+ identity and health, being persecuted and shut down as well. Views on how, or if, these subjects should be broached vary widely across U.S. communities. All it will take is one member of the Federal Trade Commission seeking to score political points, or a state attorney general seeking to ensure re-election, to start going after the online speech his or her constituents don't like.

All of these speech burdens will affect adults, too. Adults simply won't find the content that was mass-deleted in the name of avoiding KOSA-inspired lawsuits; and we'll all be burdened by websites and apps that install ID checks, age gates, and invasive (and poorly functioning) software content filters.

The vast majority of speech that KOSA affects is constitutionally protected in the U.S., which is why there is a long list of reasons that KOSA is unconstitutional. Unfortunately, the lawmakers voting for this bill have hand-waved away those concerns. They've also blown off the voices of millions of young people who will have their free expression constricted by this bill, including the thousands who spoke to EFF directly about their concerns and fears around KOSA.

We can't rely solely on lawsuits and courts to protect us from the growing wave of anti-speech internet legislation, with KOSA at its forefront. We need to let the people making the laws know that the public is becoming aware of their censorship plans -- and won't stand for them.

 

 

Soldier Blue...

More on the recent BBFC cuts to this 1970 western by Ralph Nelson


Link Here10th August 2024

Soldier Blue is a 1970 USA western by Ralph Nelson.
Starring Candice Bergen, Peter Strauss and Donald Pleasence. Melon Farmers link  BBFC link 2020  IMDb

Reportedly cut in the US for an MPAA rating in 1970. These cuts have long since been forgotten and the R rated version is the best available. The film was cut for an MPAA PG rating in 1974 but the R rating was restored in 1976.

The R rated version was cut by the BBFC for the 1970 X rated cinema release and 18 rated VHS. The BBFC cuts for sexual violence were waived in 2004 for 18 rated DVD releases but new cuts were required for horse falls. In 2024 further BBFC cuts were required for previously unnoticed indecent images of a child.

Thanks to Mike who adds:

The BBFC Protection of Children Act cut is to the rape scene which happens as part of the village massacre. Despite the BBFC watching that scene so many times over the years, mainly for the purpose of cutting the sexual violence, they failed to notice until 2024 that there was a child in view at the extreme right edge of the frame during the rape scene. The cut is to remove the child.

Summary Notes

After a cavalry group is massacred by the Cheyenne, only two survivors remain: Honus, a naive private devoted to his duty, and Cresta, a young woman who had lived with the Cheyenne two years and whose sympathies lie more with them than with the US government. Together, they must try to reach the cavalry's main base camp. As they travel onward, Honus is torn between his growing affection for Cresta, and his disgust for her anti-American beliefs. They reach the cavalry campsite on the eve of an attack on a Cheyenne village, where Honus will learn which side has really been telling him the truth.

Versions

best available
best
available
run: 115m
pal: 110m
MPAA RUS: Uncut and MPAA R rated for:

There are reports that the original US R Rated version was cut to avoid an X rating in 1970. Any such cuts have long since being forgotten. The film was cut for a PG rating in 1974 but the R rated version reappeared for releases since 1976. The current uncut US R rated version is the definitive.

mpaa cut
cut
MPAA PGUS: Cut for an MPAA PG rating in 1974
BBFC cut
cut
cut:
run: 115:19s
pal: 110:42s
18UK: BBFC 18 rated for strong violence, sexual violence for strong violence, sexual violence after BBFC cuts:

The BBFC commented:

Compulsory Cuts were required for illegal horse falls and potentially indecent images of a child.

Thanks to Mike who comments:

The BBFC Protection of Children Act cut is to the rape scene which happens as part of the village massacre. Despite the BBFC watching that scene so many times over the years, mainly for the purpose of cutting the sexual violence, they failed to notice until 2024 that there was a child in view at the extreme right edge of the frame during the rape scene. The cut is to remove the child.

BBFC cut
cut
cut: 6s
run: 114:38s
pal: 110:03s
18Passed 18 after 6s of BBFC cuts with previous cuts for violence restored for:
  • UK 2008 Optimum R2 DVD

The BBFC commented: Four cuts were required to remove the presence of cruel, dangerous and illegal horse falls

cut
total cuts
cut: 28s
run: 114:12s
pal: 109:38s

BBFC cut
7s

cut
distributor
23s

18Passed 18 after 7s of BBFC cuts and 23s of distributor cuts for:
  • UK 2005 Momentum R2 DVD

Bizarrely the Momentum Pictures resubmission in 2005 ended up by being unnecessarily more cut than the previous version. The BBFC made the following statement: The BBFC requested 7 seconds of cuts to remove cruel horsefalls but the distributor made additional voluntary cuts of 23 seconds to remove an acceptable horsefall and part of a rape scene. These cuts were not required by the BBFC but were in line with cuts made to previous video releases.

BBFC cut
23s
cut: 23s
run: 114:02s
pal: 109:28s
18Passed 18 after 23s of BBFC cuts for:
  • UK 1999 BMG VHS

The BBFC cuts were:

  • The cuts as per previous Embassy version except that slightly less cut from the rape scene
BBFC cutcut
cut: 36s
run: 113:25s
pal: 108:53s
18Passed after 36s of BBFC cuts for:
  • UK 1986 Embassy VHS

The cuts were:

  • Cuts are to a scene showing the rape of an Indian woman, during the massacre of the village
  • Cuts to a shot of a naked Indian woman strung up by her wrists with blood on her breasts
  • A horsefall has been removed
BBFC cut
cut
cut:
run:
pal:
sub: 114:39s
X certPassed X (18) after BBFC cuts for:
  • UK 1970 cinema release

The BBFC cuts were:

  • Cuts to a scene showing the rape of an Indian woman, during the massacre of the village
  • Decapitation of indian squaw removed

 

 

A Nightmare on Elm Street...

The uncut version of the 1984 US horror film by Wes Craven is finally set for release in Ireland/UK on 30th September 2024


Link Here4th August 2024
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 1984 US horror film by Wes Craven.
With Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp and Robert Englund. Melon Farmers link  YouTube icon BBFC link 2020 IMDb
Uncut on VHS but the cut US Theatrical version was the only one available on BBFC 18 rated UK/US DVD/Blu-ray until BBFC 15 rated for the uncut version of 2024. The film was cut in the US for an MPAA R rating.

The film has just been passed by the IFCO, the Irish film censor with an 18 rating and a PAL running time of 87:33s.

Summary Review: A new kind of Boogeyman

In the dreams of his victims, a spectral child murderer Freedy Krueger stalks the children of the members of the lynch mob that killed him.

The acting isn't always the greatest and it looks just the slightest bit dated, but it's still a really damn good movie. It's power lies in the fact that sleep cannot be avoided.

Robert Englund as Freddy is flawless, a new kind of Boogeyman - a smartass. Freddy is hideously burned, covered in scar tissue and has all the fashion sense of a wino, but he's cool. Not content to simply disembowel his screaming victims, Freddy has to tease them a little first, flirting, humiliating or showing off.

Versions

uncut
uncut
Unrated Version
run: 91:12s
pal: 87:33s
15

18

IFCO video 18 

Turkey flag
Turkey

UK: Uncut and BBFC 15 rated for strong horror, gore, violence:
  • 2024 Warner Bros 40th Anniversary Edition R0 4K Blu-ray/R0 Blu-ray Combo at UK Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2024  

The uncut Version is set for Warner 4K Blu-ray release at UK Amazon #ad

UK: The Unrated Version was passed 18 uncut for:

  • 1998 EIV VHS
  • 1995 EIV VHS
  • 1985 CBS/Fox VHS
  • 1985 cinema release
Ireland: Uncut and IFCO 18 rated for strong violence, strong horror:
  • 2024 Blu-ray (Uncut Version rated 22/07/2024) titled A Nightmare on Elm Street - Uncut Version

Thanks to Dave:

I recently watched the 2 disc box set of A Nightmare on Elm Street which they say is cut to the death of the girl Tina via a blood splash as she hits the bed. The scene plays out on R2 Turkish release. When Tina hits the bed we see the blood spurt all over her shocked boyfriend Rod. A pretty tame and lame MPAA cut by any standards to make an R and obviously it never offended Turkish censors for this new uncut DVD release! The A geyser of blood spurting up from Glen's bed is also intact in this Turkish release

BBFC uncut

mpaa cut
cut Theatrical Version

cut: 13s
run: 91:08s
pal: 87:29s
18

MPAA R

UK: The cut US R Rated Theatrical Version was passed 18 without BBFC cuts for:
  • 2020 Warner A Nightmare On Elm Street: Collection R0 Blu-ray [HMV exclusive]
  • 2018 Warner Bros R2 DVD at UK Amazon
  • 2011 Warner A Nightmare On Elm Street Collection R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
  • 2010 Warner R2 DVD at UK Amazon
  • 2001 EIV R2 DVD

US: Cut and MPAA R Rated for:

The US Collectors Edition laserdisc (Elite Entertainment) details cuts made as the film went through the MPAA:

  • 5s : Tina's corpse hitting the bed, and the resultant large splash of blood all over her boyfriend Rod
  • 8s : A geyser of blood spurting up from Glen's bed and hitting the ceiling.

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