List of films banned in Australia

This is a list of films that have been or are banned in Australia.

Rationale for banning

Films that are banned in Australia have been considered "gross, offensive or abhorrent" and refused for content such as bestiality, necrophilia, child sexual abuse, rape, sexual violence, child pornography, high impact violence, extreme depictions of cruelty to persons or animals, or sexual content in such a way that it offends the standards of morality, decency and propriety in most adults to the point where they should not be classified.

Films that are banned by the Australian Classification Board are labelled "Refused Classification" and the sale, distribution, public exhibition or import of "Refused Classification" films is a felony and punishable with a fine up to A$275,000 and/or up to 10 years imprisonment. Personal ownership of banned films is not prohibited, nor is accessing them via the internet. Such penalties do not apply to individuals, but rather individuals responsible for or corporations distributing or exhibiting such films to a wider audience.

Banned films

Year Name Reason for banning History Current status (2014) Citation
1928–1941 (chronological) Dawn, Klondike Annie, Compulsory Hands, Applause, Cape Forlorn, All Quiet on the Western Front, Gang Bullets, and many more Various Creswell O'Reilly was hired as Chief Censor around this time, during which many films were banned. All films are now unbanned, though their classification rating varies.
1931 The Blonde Captive Racial themes Columbia Pictures film deemed to be prejudicial to Australian Aborigines by the Australian government. Claims made in the film that some Aborigines in the outback were actually neanderthals were also deemed by the Australian government to be harmful to ongoing anthropological research. After its 1947 re-screening the film went missing. A full print of the film was later discovered and made commercially available on DVD in 2010.
1964–1970 The Miracle, Viridiana, La Dolce Vita, Fellini Satyricon, The Silence, Blowup and Zabriskie Point Various R. J. Prowse is appointed Chief Censor and Campbell is appointed to the Appeals Board. During the 1960s, many films were banned. Presumably unbanned at some point, as all films (except for The Silence, which is included on Bergman's Faith Trilogy DVD, rated R18+) are now classified M.
1971 Customs Minister Don Chipp begins the development of a new classification system which includes the much-needed R18+ rating for adult content; films that were once banned are gradually released. [1]
1972 Pink Flamingos Offensive content (exploitation, sexual violence, incest, adult themes, animal cruelty)[2] First banned in 1976. It was re-rated R18+, with four minutes of footage removed. It was re-banned in 1981, and another three times in 1983. In 1984 it was given an X18+ (banned in all states, although legally for sale in the two Territories), uncut. Soon after, attitudes towards sexual violence became stricter in the X18+ category, and it would not be possible to earn the X18+ again. It was re-banned in 1997, this version being the "25th Anniversary Edition" which added extra scenes. The distributor this time cut only two minutes to receive an R18+. Allowed in a cut version, rated R18+ [3]
1974 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre High impact explicit violence.[4] The ban was lifted in 1984. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [5][4]
1975 Vase de Noces (also known as Wedding Trough) Obscenity and graphic depictions of bestiality and other content that is offensive and abhorrent. Under pressure from the Western Australian government, the Australian Classification Board decided to ban this arthouse Belgian film for obscenity. The film was banned from being played at the Perth International Film Festival. However, the authorities lifted the ban temporarily and the film was allowed to be screened. In 1976, the government decided to re-ban the film. A third attempt to appeal the film's ban status was made in 1977, but the government rejected the film once again, and the film remains banned to this day. A successful attempt to allow the film is not likely to occur, given that the film violates Australian obscenity laws. Still banned. [6]
1976 Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma Offensive content (exploitation, sexual violence) Pasolini's Salò was banned at the time of release. This ban was then reversed in 1993; the film was re-rated R18+ for a theatrical release. However, the ACB re-banned it in 1998 for "offensive cruelty with high impact".[7] It was then approved for DVD and Blu-ray (because its extra content gives it context) release in 2010, uncut.[8] It can only be shown in cinemas if the extra material is screened with it. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [9]
1977 In the Realm of the Senses Sex and violence Played uncut at Sydney and Melbourne film festivals in 1977, but was refused uncut for wide release. It was passed cut later that same year. The uncut version was banned again in 1981, and several VHS releases in the '80s were cut. It was finally passed uncut in October 2000 and released in August 2001 following the decision regarding Romance. In 2008, it was re-released by Umbrella, using the slightly censored UK DVD version, but has since been allowed uncut. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [10]
1980 Caligula Explicit scenes of sex and violence In 1981 the ban was lifted, and a modified version with the rating R18+ was allowed. In 1984 the uncut version was released, and it received an X18+ rating. Later in 1984, the ACB decided to forbid films containing sexual violence and the film was re-banned. Ever since, the film's rating has fluctuated between RC (Refused Classification) and R18+ (depending on the version). In 2010, the ACB refused classification for the "Imperial Edition" DVD of Caligula; it was also refused in 2005. Allowed in a cut version, rated R18+ [11]
1980–2007 Faces of Death series Violence; scenes of actual death The first film was refused in December 1980, and the sequel was refused in 1983. The original was refused again in 1988 after the AFP confiscated it and handed it to the ACB. Umbrella Entertainment attempted to release a box set of the first four films in 2008, but only the first film was passed (uncut) with an R18+. The third and fourth films were refused classification for the first time in December 2007. Only the original passed with an R18+; 2–4 remain banned. [12]
1984 Cannibal Holocaust Explicit gore/gruesome scenes The ban was lifted in 2005 and the film was shown in public, in a cut version rated R18+. In 2006, the film was allowed uncut. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [13]
1986 Lucker the Necrophagous Graphic necrophilic content Refused classification in 1992 after customs confiscated a copy and handed it to the ACB. Still banned. [14]
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Explicit violent content[15] There is a confirmation from 1992 of Customs forwarding an uncut print of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 to the ACB, who later released it to the person for whom delivery of the film was meant. The Board did not give it a rating, so "at the time it was unclear what this meant for the film's banned status". In 2006, the film was officially unbanned. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [15]
1987 The Last House on the Left (Krug and Company) Sexual violence Submitted for classification in 1987, it was banned. Several imported copies of the film were confiscated in the 1990s. In 2004, it was submitted for DVD release and was passed with an R18+ for "strong sexual violence, medium level violence". Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [16]
1990 Bad Taste Unknown The film got banned after a three-week run in cinemas. In 2005, it was unbanned. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [17]
1992 Nekromantik, Nekromantik 2 Necrophilic content[18] These two films, dealing with the subject of necrophilia, were discovered by the ACB when they were seized by Customs in 1992 and they were both banned.[18] Still banned. [19]
Buio Omega (also known as Beyond the Darkness) High level violence and necrophilic content The film was seized by Customs in 1992, and forwarded to the ACB. It was subsequently refused classification. Still banned. [20]
The Beast in Heat (also known as SS Hell Camp) Excessive sexual violence The film was seized by Customs in 1992, and forwarded to the ACB. It was subsequently refused classification. Still banned. [20]
Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend Graphic depictions of sex and violence Parts one and two of chapter four in this anime became the first animated features to be banned in Australia. In 2001, the ACB allowed a heavily-censored DVD release of the complete Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend and its sequels.[21] Allowed in a censored (by its British distributor) version, rated R18+ [22]
1995 Twelve films screened at Tasmania's Queer Film Festival, including Spikes and Heels, Coming Out Under Fire, What a Lesbian Looks Like, Mad About the Boy, 21st Century Nuns and Sex Fish Violation against the state of Tasmania's Criminal Code Act (1924) Tasmania was (at the time) the only Australian state in which homosexuality (specifically "gay male sexual activity") was illegal. The festival has now moved to Melbourne. Banned in Tasmania, still unrated by the Australian Classification Board. As the law changed soon after this incident, the films would presumably be allowed in Tasmania and be given ratings by the ACB today (whether X18+ or not). [23]
1997 I Spit on Your Grave Sexual violence I Spit on Your Grave started in 1984 with an R18+ rating and passed a banning request in 1987, but was banned in 1997 due to "rising censorship of the late '90s". In 2004, the ACB decided to lift the ban. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [24]
1999 Romance Explicit depictions of sexual activity and sexual violence[25] Initially refused classification, the ACB overturned the ban on appeal in 2000, with the film becoming a watershed in allowing actual sexual activity in the R18+ classification. Allowed uncut, rated R18+ [26]
2002 Baise-moi Explicit depiction of sexual violence (effect enhanced by actual sex)[27] The film was allowed at first, with an R18+ rating; in 2002, it was banned by the ACB. It was re-banned in 2013,[28] and on 23 August 2013, aired on the pay World Movies channel in an edited R18+ form. Still banned. [29]
2003 Ken Park Sexual matters "in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults"[30] Copies of the film were distributed via the Internet, and illegal public screenings were held in Sydney and other capital cities. "None were charged with offences in relation to this widely publicised illegal activity, presumably because that would have caused even greater public criticism of censorship laws." Still banned; however, the film has not been widely distributed worldwide. The film remains banned Australia-wide as of 6 June 2003 when the film was re-banned by the Australian Classification Board that day. [31]
2010 A Serbian Film High level sexual violence, explicit depictions of sexual activity, bestiality, necrophilia and paedophilia The ACB refused classification of the uncut version on 26 November 2010. It was awarded an R18+ in a 96-minute (PAL running time) censored version, but on review in 2011, it was also refused classification, banning all public showings and DVD sales. Still banned. [32]
2011 The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) "Offensive" depictions of violence and high impact cruelty Originally passed with an R18+ rating; banned on appeal after release (screening in capital cities and at festivals, even into the week prior to its ban on review). On news of its banning, the applicant, Monster Pictures, announced its plans to submit a modified version for classification.[33] On 14 December 2011, Monster Pictures announced a "slightly trimmed" version was passed with an R18+ classification.[34] Banned uncut; allowed with 30 seconds cut in December 2011[35] [36]
2012 Father's Day Sexually violent content Allowed to screen on March 24, 2012 as part of the 6th Night of Horror Film Festival, it was refused classification when submitted for home video release in October 2012. A second version with 31 seconds cut was also refused; a version with 40 seconds excised was rated R18+ on February 27, 2013. Offending content cut included shots of forced anal and oral sex as well as mutilation of a penis.[37] Allowed after 40 seconds cut, rated R18+ [37]
found. Prolonged and detailed depictions of sexualised violence The Australian premiere for the film was held at Sydney's Dendy Newtown cinema on 16 April 2013. A DVD release was banned by the Classification Board in 2014.[38] Still banned. [38]
2014 Children's Island Child pornography concerns The ACB refused classification of the film on 27 February 2014, more than three decades after its release. Still banned. [39]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.refused-classification.com/ quotes an interview with Don Chipp in ABC TV 29 March. 2004 http://www.refused-classification.com/updates_06-07to09.htm#2ndSeptember
  2. ↑ "Films: P | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  3. ↑ "Pink Flamingos". refused-classification.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1&2 | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  5. ↑ ref name="tonight ggs">Davis, Laura (16 August 2009). "Gratuitous Gore and Sex". Tonight (Tonight & Independent Online). Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "Films: V | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  7. ↑ "1998: Review Board Judgement: Banned!" http://www.refused-classification.com/Films_Salo.htm
  8. ↑ "Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salo cleared for DVD release" http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/pier-paolo-pasolinis-salo-cleared-for-dvd-release/story-e6frg8pf-1225862990292
  9. ↑ Sharp, Ari (8 May 2010). "Push to reinstate ban on violent film". Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ↑ "In the Realm of the Senses (1976)". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Faces of Death Series". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  13. ↑ Cannibal Holocaust, http://www.refused-classification.com/Films_C.htm
  14. ↑ http://refused-classification.com/censorship/films/l.html#lucker-the-necrophagous
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1&2 | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  16. ↑ "Films: L #1". Refused-Classification.comaccessdate=August 30, 2013.
  17. ↑ Jan Geerinck, Jahsonic, a vocabulary of culture http://www.jahsonic.com/FilmCensorship.html
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Films: N | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  19. ↑ Digital Retribution: Your Australian source for horror, action, sleaze and cheese since 2002 http://www.digital-retribution.com/reviews/dvd1/186.php
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Films: B | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  21. ↑ Mania.com: Beyond entertainment http://www.mania.com/urotsukidoji-legend-overfiendlegend-demon-womb_article_74581.html
  22. ↑ "Urotsukidōji". En.academic.ru. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  23. ↑ "Australia's public policies are at times controversial". Uplink.com.au. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  24. ↑ "I Spit on Your Grave (1978) | Censor". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  25. ↑ Libertus.net: About censorship and free speech http://libertus.net/censor/odocs/romance_oflc_dec.html
  26. ↑ World Socialist Web Site http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/feb2000/rom-f11.shtml
  27. ↑ Australian Government Classification Review Board: To review the decision of the Classification Board to assign the classification "R18+" under the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 to Baise-Moi (the film) with the consumer advice "Strong Sexual Violence, High Level Violence, Actual Sex and Adult Themes", 10 May 2002
  28. ↑ "Baise-moi (2000)". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  29. ↑ Libertus.net: About censorship and free speech http://libertus.net/censor/banchall.html#baise-moi
  30. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald, 31 May. 2003: Banned – the film on teenage life too hot for Australia http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/30/1054177722815.html
  31. ↑ Libertus.net: About censorship and free speech http://libertus.net/censor/banchall.html#kp
  32. ↑ OFLC Classification Website, http://www.classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/d853f429dd038ae1ca25759b0003557c/2241632cd8acfb45ca257913005d86b2?OpenDocument
  33. ↑ "Human Centipede 2 to be resubmitted for classification". Crikey. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  34. ↑ "Twitter / @MonsterPics: Prepare to lose your shit. ...". Twitter. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  35. ↑ "Cut horror film to crawl back on screens". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  36. ↑ Cinetology blog at Crikey.com.au http://blogs.crikey.com.au/cinetology/2011/11/29/the-human-centipede-ii-banned-from-australian-cinemas/
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Father's Day (2011)". Refused-Classification.com. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Found (2012)". Refused Classification. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  39. ↑ Australia bans award-winning Swedish film Children's Island over child porn concerns The Sydney Morning Herald, February 27, 2014.