Origin Story The British Board of Film Classification – Who watches the watchers?
Oct 9, 2024
Dive into the tumultuous world of film censorship in the UK! Discover the clash between artistic freedom and moral standards, featuring notorious bans like 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Nosferatu.' Hear about the BBFC's evolution from strict regulator to a more reflective body. Unpack the frenzy surrounding 'video nasties' in the 1980s and the absurdities of the courtroom battles that ensued. This captivating journey reveals how societal values shape cinema while highlighting the uplifting potential for change within institutions.
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Early Cinema Controversy
- The 1912 film From the Manger to the Cross, a biblical epic, sparked outrage.
- The Daily Mail criticized it, claiming it was sacrilegious for American filmmakers to profit from depicting Jesus.
Birth of a Nation Censorship
- The Birth of a Nation, despite its racist content, wasn't censored in Britain.
- This contrasted with the US, where debates arose about censoring the film due to its harmful influence.
BBFC's Strange Cuts
- The BBFC cut Rebel Without a Cause to reduce "the possibility of teenage rebellion."
- A BBFC examiner deemed the surrealist film The Seashell and the Clergyman "almost meaningless, but if there is a meaning it is doubtless objectionable."