For this particular 35 year old film, which has been released uncut and available on continental Europe and in the US since its release, we would have had no qualms at all releasing it uncut. The UK and the BBFC have looked ridiculous for years with regard to their attitude to this scene in this film.MichaelB wrote:Serious question: if BBFC classification wasn't compulsory anyway, would you have distributed the uncut version, given the widespread impression that it unarguably infringed the Protection of Children Act?
Totally understand all this happening at the time, but post-internet, post-globalisation, post-EU enlargement, if we're the only country in the world that still believes this sort of thing seriously breaks the law then there's probably something wrong with our view.I was involved with screening this film before it was given its 18 certificate in 1991, and we were warned by the distributor to be very careful indeed with that scene in the absence of proper legal advice. Granted, as a cinema we were probably more vulnerable than a DVD label, because it would only have taken an upheld complaint to the local authority for our operating licence to be put in jeopardy - but it would still be a gamble.
The wording would be interesting but I doubt it will be the truth - which is that they look absolutely ridiculous in the eyes of the world, and are toothless in the face of the internet. They have to backtrack on these things every year to try and keep 3 steps behind and to prevent open guffaws.Which is why I'd like to see the full legal advice that the BBFC received - hopefully they'll reveal it nearer the time.
