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Attack of the Clones Cut in UK

Posted by michael on from the jar-jar-still-in-it-unfortunately dept.

MartyJG writes "The British Board of Film Classification has demanded a cut in Ep2 AOTC for a head-butt. I don't know which is more extreme: UK viewers insisting on viewing the US version for 1 second of extra film, or that a 1 second cut means the difference between a '12' (~PG-13) and a 'PG' certificate. For some reason the distributors must think fewer people would see the film if it was a '12'. The film report is on the BBFC website."

10 of 398 comments (clear)

  1. PG vs. 12 certificate by dazed-n-confused · · Score: 5, Funny

    For some reason the distributors must think fewer people would see the film if it was a '12'.

    My daughter is four, and she's looking forward to the new Star Wars film. So that's one.

    1. Re:PG vs. 12 certificate by Dante_H · · Score: 5, Funny
      My daughter is two and [...] I don't think a "head butt" is going to scar her.

      Jesus, your daughter must be tough. Last time that happened to me I cried like a girl.

    2. Re:PG vs. 12 certificate by dazed-n-confused · · Score: 5, Funny
      If they can go down a list and say "Ok, you're two points over the line for a 12. You can take out x laser blasts, x seconds of sabre duel, x punches, or this head-butt to get under the line again", I'm ok with that.

      Seems that's how it used to work.

      On the 5th of August 1974, Mark Forstater, a producer from Python (Monty) Pictures, wrote the following letter in respect of Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

      'Dear Mike,

      The Censors' representative, Tony Copell, came along to Friday's screening at Twickenham and he gave us his opinion of the film's probable certificate. He thinks the film will be AA [which is 14 and over] but it would be possible, given some dialogue cuts, to make the film an A rating, which would increase the audience [A being five and above].

      For an A we would have to, quote, "lose as many shits as possible, take Jesus Christ out if possible, lose "I fart in your general direction", lose the oral sex, lose "Oh, fuck off", lose "we make castanets out of your testicles".'

      He writes further:

      'I would like to get back to the Censor and agree to lose the shits, take the odd Jesus Christ out and lose "Oh, fuck off", but to retain "fart in your general direction", "castanets of your testicles" and oral sex, and ask him for an A rating on this basis.

      Please let me know as soon as possible your attitude to this.

      Yours sincerely.'

      I first read that letter 20 years ago. It amused me then and it still amuses me. You'd think it was something the Python team themselves had created, not something their producer had written in all seriousness. The thought of a group of people sitting 'round a conference table, heatedly negotiating these points, is quite bizarre. I mean, how many shits do you have to lose to keep castanets out of your testicles? Exactly how many Jesus Christs is fart in your general direction worth? Or is it a combination thereof? Maybe you can have oral sex for four shits, a Jesus Christ and a fuck-off.

      I know it sounds very, very silly, but this type of negotiation is still going on today and will continue going on while we feel a need to classify films. Which I might add, is something I totally endorse in principle and by 'in principle', I mean except when it comes to my own films.

      Source: Watch on Censorship (Australia)
  2. No Spoilers!!! by JHromadka · · Score: 5, Funny

    Argh! Now I know there is a head butt in AOTC! Please no spoilers please! Next thing you know someone is going to go around telling everyone that Yoda is Luke's uncle.

    --
    "The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved." -- John Ashcroft
    1. Re:No Spoilers!!! by dylan_- · · Score: 5, Funny

      I guess I'd better not mention that Anakin becomes Dar....oops!

      --
      Igor Presnyakov stole my hat
  3. Re:that extra second. by minus9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I suggest that the purists wait until the cut second is about to come up shout 3..2..1.. and head butt the person in the seat in front. Audience participation could bring the film to life.

  4. Re:How nitpicky can they get? by iapetus · · Score: 5, Funny
    I wonder how many British children are exposed to professional wrestling? They'll see loads there.

    Maybe so. But perhaps it looks realistic in the film. :)

    --
    ++ Say to Elrond "Hello.".
    Elrond says "No.". Elrond gives you some lunch.
  5. Re:Does anyone else find it interesting... by smagoun · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not that the execs haven't seen it before, it's that they're jealous...

  6. Re:Not the first time by karmawarrior · · Score: 5, Funny

    There's also the highest rating:

    R80: Restricted 80. Basically you can't get in unless you're over 80, and accompanied by both parents.

    --
    KMSMA (WWBD?)
  7. Excuse me! by El+Camino+SS · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Excuse me! Can I say something?"

    (RAISES HAND IN THE BACK)

    SHORT GUY IN THE BACK: "Look, I understand that a headbutt might be a little violent for you raters out there... I UNDERSTAND. Real quick though, why is it you object to the headbutt, but wholesale chopping off of limbs with a lightsabre is totally okay?"

    THE BOARD: "Oh, sit down! We judge the morals around here!"