Banned and Censored: Banned Films

"When most people think of censored films, they assume that the work offends because of sexual content. But Forbidden Films,which traces censorship efforts against 125 films, demonstrates that from silent to modern cinema, films have also been banned for religious, social, and political reasons. The book "analyzes representative films and the mechanism by which they (and other movies) have been suppressed." Focus is on censorship in the U.S., although some entries discuss efforts in other nations. The films that have been selected include such expected titles as Last Tango in Parisand Caligula,but the reader may be surprised to learn that Martin Luther,The Spirit of 76,and Birth of a Nationwere banned in certain cities. Even Schindler's Listwas banned in some countries for its so-called Jewish propaganda and several scenes of cruelty." RBB Booklist

A Civil War spectacular. Portrays life in the South during and after the Civil War as revealed in a story depicting the war itself, the conflict between the defeated Southerners and emancipated renegade Negroes, the despoiling of the South during the carpetbagger period, and the revival of the Southern white man's honor through the efforts of the Ku Klux Klan.

A vicious criminal undergoes treatment that will make him develop an aversion toward violence. Directed by Stanley Kubrick.

Originally produced as a motion picture in 1977.
Chronicle of 20th century Italy focusing on two contrasting families whose lives affect, and are affected by, the rise of fascism and socialism.

Banned initially in Kansas for "cruelty," the film was originally released with cuts: a closeup shot of a hypodermic needle injection, and the scene in which Maria is carried in her father's arms. [AFI Catalog]

Set in medieval Sweden, a grim and violent tale of a father's revenge for the rape and murder of his virgin daughter.

Banned in Fort Worth, TX, 1962. The Fort Worth board of censors found a rape scene objectionable.

The teen-age son of a well-to-do family gets involved in violence when he attempts to win the approval of a gang of high-school hoodlums.

"...the United States Army and Air Force banned the film from being screened on service installations because it "reflected unfavorably" on the military. On 1 Apr 1970, HR reported that the Defense Department reversed its decision. Modern sources have speculated that the reversal was caused by the fact that many soldiers watched the film off base." [AFI Catalog]

Academy Awards: Best Actress (Taylor); Best Supporting Actress (Dennis); Best Cinematography; Best Art Direction; Best Costume Design

The Catholic Church's censorship group had passed the film with a rating of "Morally unobjectionable for adults, with reservations." Yet at first, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was denied a Production Code Seal of Approval. Warner stood behind the film, saying "The play was undoubtedly a play for adults and we have gone ahead to make Virginia Woolf a film for adults. I don't believe a controversial, mature subject should be watered down so that it is palatable for children. When that is done, you get a picture which is not palatable for children or for anyone else." He then announced that all contracts with theaters would include a clause prohibiting anyone under 18 from seeing the film unless accompanied by an adult. It was the first time Warners had ever released a film for adults only. The film got the Seal. Four months after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opened, the MPAA announced a less rigid Production Code." [Turner Classic Movies]

An American expatriate in Paris tries purging himself of bad memories after his wife's suicide by entering into a tragic sexual relationship with a chance acquaintance.

Banned in Montgomery, Alabama and Shreveport, Louisiana, 1973. Found obscene by a district court, the ruling was later reversed by the State Supreme Court.

Banned for persons under 18 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 1970. Reversed by a federal district court.

In this controversial movie, Jesus, as both fully human and fully divine, is viewed as free of sin but subject to all temptations, including sexual ones.

"Numerous religious leaders throughout the United States organized protests against The Last Temptation of Christ (many of whom didn't bother to make an effort to watch the film!) and several Southern cities, such as Savannah, Georgia, banned the film. In addition, Blockbuster Video initially refused to carry the title in its stores." [Alternative Reel]