British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[sjt]

In 1963 it bore an "X" certificate.......

Autre temps, autre moeurs

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

So what exactly has been restored? Seems odd to read previous cuts waived on a 12 rated film.

Previously cut for animal cruelty - a cockfight. That does make me wonder how the BBFC could waive the cuts now, as the law hasn't changed as far as I'm aware.

[stepeanut]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

Previously cut for animal cruelty - a cockfight. That does make me wonder how the BBFC could waive the cuts now, as the law hasn't changed as far as I'm aware.

The BBFC would not allow the cockfighting shots in Arrow’s recent BD of Seijun Suzuki’s Born Under Crossed Stars. So, if the cockfighting shots in Tom Jones have been allowed, that would be an inconsistency in policy.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by sjt

In 1963 it bore an "X" certificate.......

Yeah, amazing really. In the same year, Billy Wilder's comedy Irma la Douce was also an X. The nanny state in full flow.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by stepeanut

The BBFC would not allow the cockfighting shots in Arrow’s recent BD of Seijun Suzuki’s Born Under Crossed Stars. So, if the cockfighting shots in Tom Jones have been allowed, that would be an inconsistency in policy.

It's not so much a policy as the requirements of British law. They do allow animal killings where they would have happened even if a film crew wasn't around - e.g. Apocalypse Now. They also allow "clean kills", i.e. the animal was killed quickly and was not judged to suffer unduly. Neither of those would apply to a cockfight so I'm curious as to why the change since the last time Tom Jones was submitted and cut, which was in 2003.

I guess we can ask the BBFC directly. I may well do that if the information isn't known by then, as I'll be reviewing the Woodfall box for The Digital Fix.

I have seen Tom Jones, but long ago (TV broadcast on Channel 4) and I don't remember which version I saw and whether or not there was a cockfight in it.

I do wonder whether Tom Jones was the only Best Picture Oscar winner commercially available in the UK still cut by the BBFC, until now?

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

Yeah, amazing really. In the same year, Billy Wilder's comedy Irma la Douce was also an X. The nanny state in full flow.

X back then meant 16 and over. Tom Jones could have had an A certificate if they'd cut the shot of Joyce Redman suggestively swallowing an oyster. Tony Richardson refused and so the film had an X. It didn't seem to do the film's box office much harm.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

X back then meant 16 and over. Tom Jones could have had an A certificate if they'd cut the shot of Joyce Redman suggestively swallowing an oyster. Tony Richardson refused and so the film had an X. It didn't seem to do the film's box office much harm.

Yeah, I was 12 for most of 1963, so no chance of getting in to see an X film, but near the end of the following year when I was nearly 14 I managed it, a Hammer double bill (I was quite tall for my age), & after that, no problem. Today I think you could show Tom Jones & Irma La Douce on TV in the afternoon without any complaints.

[XGEEKEDGERX]

The Woodfall set is down to £56.99 at Base.

https://www.base.com/buy/product/woo...c-bfib1296.htm

[HuggyBear73]

Has anyone's THE TOUCH shipped yet from Amazon UK? Or has this been delayed?

[Patient-X]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

Has anyone's THE TOUCH shipped yet from Amazon UK? Or has this been delayed?

Mine was despatched from HMV yesterday along with The Magic Flute.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

Has anyone's THE TOUCH shipped yet from Amazon UK? Or has this been delayed?

I got a shipping notice today, six hours ago.

[HuggyBear73]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I got a shipping notice today, six hours ago.

ok thanks! I still haven't been charged yet for mine.

[stepeanut]

Anyone picked up They Came to a City yet?

I’ve never seen the film, but was intrigued by the synopsis on the back cover, in Fopp this morning. Not seen much chatter about it online, either. There is a DVDBeaver review, though.

Any thoughts on the film and/or BFI’s new edition?

[CouncilSpectre]

It's piqued my interest too, but I'd planned on picking it up cheaper in a few months as it would be a blind buy.

[stepeanut]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

It's piqued my interest too, but I'd planned on picking it up cheaper in a few months as it would be a blind buy.

That’s where I’m at, too. It’s bound to come down to £6 eventually.

Instead, I picked up An Actor’s Revenge and Carnival of Souls. The latter was amongst several Criterions still priced as part of the last B2F£25 offer. I get on well with the guys in Fopp, so they were happy to honour the deal for me, but they were quick to re-label the other offending discs.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by stepeanut

That’s where I’m at, too. It’s bound to come down to £6 eventually.

Instead, I picked up An Actor’s Revenge and Carnival of Souls. The latter was amongst several Criterions still priced as part of the last B2F£25 offer. I get on well with the guys in Fopp, so they were happy to honour the deal for me, but they were quick to re-label the other offending discs.

Haven't been to a Fopp since we were in Covent Garden last year. In Edinburgh this week though so might try to hit their's!

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by stepeanut

Anyone picked up They Came to a City yet?

I’ve never seen the film, but was intrigued by the synopsis on the back cover, in Fopp this morning. Not seen much chatter about it online, either. There is a DVDBeaver review, though.

Any thoughts on the film and/or BFI’s new edition?

I saw a very ropey version of it on a DVD of something but I cannot for the life of me place where I saw it, then again it could have been on youtube.

It's completely British 1930s narrative style with a matching pace. I don't think I could bring myself to part with the over £10 price at the moment. So if I add it , it will be part of an offer.

[stepeanut]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Haven't been to a Fopp since we were in Covent Garden last year. In Edinburgh this week though so might try to hit their's!

I do most of my brick-and-mortar shopping at Fopp Manchester.

I used to be a regular in the Edinburgh Cockburn Street branch, 20 years ago. It’s long gone now. Don’t get up that way much these days, but the Rose Street branch looks nice from the photo on their website. I used to love Rose Street. One of the many gems of city centre Edinburgh.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by stepeanut

I used to be a regular in the Edinburgh Cockburn Street branch, 20 years ago. It’s long gone now. Don’t get up that way much these days, but the Rose Street branch looks nice from the photo on their website. I used to love Rose Street. One of the many gems of city centre Edinburgh.

Ironically I stayed on Cockburn Street last week - I was confused until I read the second half of your post as I didn't remember seeing a Fopp while I was there!

Edinburgh is indeed a fantastic city - going up there really doesn't much seem like work most of the time

[Dvd Aficionado]

I've found two versions of Rossellini: The War Trilogy - the 2015 L.E. and 2017 releases. The latter is a lot cheaper.

Does anyone know the difference? Perhaps the 2017 release comes in a keep case and missing the booklet?