Films cut by distrubitors

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by PT Ryan

What's bizarre to me is that there's no difference between an M15+ and a PG in terms of audience restriction. Anyone can be admitted to a film with either rating, yet they've chosen to censor the film anyway.

Yeah thats true but I think you'll find that the PG rating allows them to advertise the film on T.V during programs aimed at children - something the M rating restricts. I can't remember where and when I read about this but there are definitely restrictions for advertising of any film rated above PG both at the cinema and on television. So given they want family audiences and with kids themselves often helping sway parents into taking them to see such films then the PG rating gets the studio the greatest exposure in advertising.

[PLG1962]

I don’t know what is more bothersome
1-This being cut
2-People actually caring enough and wanting to see this

Like with most films getting a general release these days this doesn’t interest me in this slightest

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by PLG1962

I don’t know what is more bothersome
1-This being cut
2-People actually caring enough and wanting to see this

Like with most films getting a general release these days this doesn’t interest me in this slightest

So.... first day buy?

[L-Rouge]

Gosh, the original 5 transformers wouldn't make it!

[Foggy]

Just a correction to the OP, Bumblebee was uncut in the UK and received a 12a, afterwards they submitted a re-edited version that recieved a PG.

[Markgway]

The UK '12' is now void though.

[Boschy]

When the Classification Board decides on a rating, the applicant (Paramount in this case) also receives a classification report that details key scenes and content that caused the title to get its rating, or at least influenced the decision. (The NZ OFLC publishes these reports on its website. The ACB wants you to submit a request via its website that includes proof of identity, e.g. a photo of your drivers licence.)

The content indicator matrix also shows which content received what intensity level. The M version shows moderate impact for violence. I believe this means an automatic M. The reviewed PG version now lists mild impact for violence.

The ACB also uses the consumer advice text to address possible gotchas for parents. And finally there's the review process.

While no rating system is perfect, the ACB is more transparent these days compared to the bad old days of the 1980s and 90s. I'm not sure whether they still vote on contentious titles, but if so, this would be something else I'd like to see on their database.

[StrayButler91]

I'm still raging that Lady Bird was censored to sh*t and I saw it at the cinema, completely ignorant.

You'd think we're living in the conservative '50s.

[lateralspin]

Originally Posted by StrayButler91

I'm still raging that Lady Bird was censored to sh*t and I saw it at the cinema, completely ignorant.

You'd think we're living in the conservative '50s.

Hmm, the Australian release is the only one censored; it is fine if you import it from a foreign source which I did.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by lateralspin

Hmm, the Australian release is the only one censored; it is fine if you import it from a foreign source which I did.

Uncensored on Blu-Ray here too though.

[koberulz]

From an email I got from Hoyts last week:

[Aunt Peg]

From Refused Classification website:

Instant Family (2018)

Directed by Sean Anders / 2018 / USA / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor chose to censor it to achieve a more commercial rating.

On September 21, 2018, a 117m print of INSTANT FAMILY was passed with an M (Coarse language) rating.

The extended classification information described,
Moderate impact: language
Mild impact: themes, violence, drug use
Very mild: sex

On October 1, Paramount Pictures Australia resubmitted the film in a censored version that was listed as running 118m. This time it received a PG (Mild themes, coarse language, drug references and violence) rating.

The extended classification now described,
Mild impact: themes, violence, language, drug use
Very mild: sex

In the UK, Paramount Pictures had a 117:56 print was passed with a 12A rating on November 21. The language in this uncut version was described as:

…infrequent strong language ('f***'). Other bad language includes 'piss', 'God', 'ass', 'shit', 'crap', 'Jesus Christ', '*****', '*****y', 'hell', 'bullshit', 'douche', '*****' and 'frickin'. There is also a rude middle finger gesture.

The IMDb Parents Guide describes:

One "F word;" around 20 or so "S words;" a couple dozen damn/goddamns; various other profanities/blasphemies. Uses the fullest amount of profanity allowed in a PG-13 movie.

The single mention of 'f***' would obviously be missing from the Australian PG version.

The censored version is due to open with a PG-rating on January 10, 2019.

[Boschy]

Refused Classification is a great resource.

https://www.refused-classification.com/
@RefusedC on Twitter

Distributor cuts to movies is an infuriating syndrome. At present, the only things you can do are complain to distributors, boycott any cut cinema release, and tell friends.

That said, Paramount released the original R 18+ version of OVERLORD after getting a cut version classified MA 15+. Miracles do happen!

[Alister_M]

Distributors: *cuts movies for more money*

Clued up moviegoing public: *boycotts cut releases*

Distributors:

[Aunt Peg]

I know this is a bit late but it appears the Blu Ray in Australia is cut too - so buy international:

From Refused Classification:

Ideal Home

Directed by Andrew Fleming / 2018 / USA / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor chose to censor it to achieve a more commercial rating.

On April 16, 2018, a 91-minute print of IDEAL HOME was passed with an M (Coarse language, sex and drug references) rating.

The extended classification information described,
Moderate impact: language, drug use, sex
Mild impact: themes Very mild: violence

Icon Film Distribution was the applicant.

The Icon Film Distribution/20th Century Fox Blu-ray was released in September 2018.
Censored to avoid an MA15+

Tom S. reports

I saw IDEAL HOME in theatres with an M certificate, and bought the Blu-ray recently. However, I came across the listing for its cinema release in Britain, which was 15 for very strong language. Since there was no such use of "very strong language" in the M version, I compared our Blu-ray with one from overseas. I can confirm that both the Australian theatrical release and the Blu-ray have been censored.

At 76-minutes, Paul (Paul Rudd) is leaving his partner Erasmus (Steve Coogan), and is saying his final goodbyes.

In the M-rated version, Paul says – "I think this might be the best thing for both of us"

In the uncut version, the scene continues with for another 18-seconds with the following exchange.

Erasmus "Well we had a good run"

Paul "Oh, and remember to keep an eyes out for the tile guy tomorrow, I think he's overbilling us"

Erasmus "I don't give a f*** what you think about the f*****g tile guy, you f*****g c***!"

[shireguy]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

I know this is a bit late but it appears the Blu Ray in Australia is cut too - so buy international:

From Refused Classification:

Ideal Home

Directed by Andrew Fleming / 2018 / USA / IMDb

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because the distributor chose to censor it to achieve a more commercial rating.

On April 16, 2018, a 91-minute print of IDEAL HOME was passed with an M (Coarse language, sex and drug references) rating.

The extended classification information described,
Moderate impact: language, drug use, sex
Mild impact: themes Very mild: violence

Icon Film Distribution was the applicant.

The Icon Film Distribution/20th Century Fox Blu-ray was released in September 2018.
Censored to avoid an MA15+

Tom S. reports



Erasmus "I don't give a f*** what you think about the f*****g tile guy, you f*****g c***!"

HONESTLY..... ICON.... can follow the same few words as noted in the quote.


What honestly is 'wrong' with these local companies ??
1. IDEAL HOME wasn't a box office blockbuster
2. it's not going to sell like hotcakes.....
3. HONESTLY what was the point - as this scene goes on for a few seconds - and gives us some more character in both the Erasmus and Paul's life.

M.. MA .. it made no difference for this film (or better.... WHY even bother ???) ... oh... was it the C word that they thought might give them the MA ?? There's nothing in the film that really would push it even into MA territory.

Are we being so 'precious' now ??

thanks for the note - given that this BD local release has NO EXTRAS - I wouldn't have bothered in any case - and will continue to watch this streamed.

[Aunt Peg]

I think cinemas should be made to advise anyone buying a ticket that the film has been cut so we the customer can make an informed choice.

And I know what I would do every time. Thanks, but I'll pass.

[Aunt Peg]

From Refused Classification website:

Petta

Directed by Karthik Subbaraj / 2019 / India

This film has never had problems with the Australian censors. It is included because we suspect the distributor chose to censor it to achieve a more commercial rating.

On January 4, 2019, a 171-minute print of PETTA was passed with a MA15+ (Strong violence) rating.

The extended classification information described,
Strong impact: violence
Moderate impact: themes
Mild impact: language

On January 8, MKS Retail Group resubmitted the film in a censored version that toned down the violence. The169-minute print received an M (Mature themes and violence) rating.

The extended classification now described,
Moderate impact: themes, violence
Mild impact: language

In the UK, a censored version running 169:35 was awarded a 12A classification. It had been cut by 01:03 to remove strong violence.

[StrayButler91]

I know it's already on Blu-ray, but it's been drawn to my attention that Crazy Rich Asians was "modified" for its cinema release last year, to get a PG rating as opposed to an M. The Blu-ray appears to be uncut.

The only difference on the OFLC website between the two versions is that the uncut M edition has stronger language. There's one f-bomb in the flick. Methinks just that was removed to get the PG.

[Aunt Peg]

Originally Posted by StrayButler91

I know it's already on Blu-ray, but it's been drawn to my attention that Crazy Rich Asians was "modified" for its cinema release last year, to get a PG rating as opposed to an M. The Blu-ray appears to be uncut.

The only difference on the OFLC website between the two versions is that the uncut M edition has stronger language. There's one f-bomb in the flick. Methinks just that was removed to get the PG.

I think you are correct. So far the most disturbing in recent times has been Ideal Home because the cinema cut was the same one used for the Blu Ray, which basically makes the Australian Blu Ray redundant.