Censorship and Regulation

Censorship and Regulation

Moving image is subject to far greater censorship than any other artistic medium, perhaps a tribute to the power the moving image can potentially has. Straight out banning of films is not as common as it used to be in the UK, and it was at a time quite a frequent occurrence. The British board of film classifications decisions on censorship and regulations are normally relevant to the current structure of society at the time. For example, in 1953, a film named ‘The Wild One’ was submitted to the board, a film showing a handsome biker gang terrorising a small gang. It was banned for 14 years due to its ‘replicable’ behaviour. However, as society changes, what we see as unacceptable changes and the film is now released as a PG.

The release of the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre was banned throughout the entirety of the UK through 1974-1999, till it was then unbanned. The hysteria around violence was so strong that the BBFC actually made any film maker unable to put the word ‘Chainsaw’ in their film title. However, violence is not the only reason for banning on films. 

Drug usage is also another reason multiple films were banned in the UK. Roger Corman’s film ‘The Trip’ was released and later banned in 1968 due to its ‘glorification’ of LSD. Despite there yet to be a war on drugs, this shows the attitudes to outside and different kind of artistic films during the earlier years of moving pictures. 

I do not believe my film would be regulated or banned. Modern films in the UK are generally over banned due to grotesque sexual violence or extreme hate speech, which my film will have none of. There will be slight gore, but that can be dealt with an age rating and not censoring. If my film was censored however, it would be possible to just release it online and as a not for profit if needed.