10 Films That Were Too Shocking For Audiences

4. I Spit On Your Grave

Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Cinemagic

This notorious rape-revenge movie first came to the attention of moral watchdogs when, having bypassed cinemas, it appeared as an uncertified video in the early 80s. That meant audiences were able to view the picture’s 25 minute assault sequence in its entirety, something they would be prohibited from doing in the future.

The video was ultimately withdrawn and prosecuted for obscenity, and it wasn’t until 2001 that a heavily cut version emerged. In order to justify cutting 7 minutes from the film, the BBFC quoted the Human Rights Act, which it claimed required its examiners to “take a proportionate approach to any perceived dangers in a work.”

In 2010, the censors concluded that these cuts were “excessive” and re-released the film with 2 min 54 sec trimmed, reinstating any material “that emphasized the horrors of sexual violence.”

In the same year, the remake passed with only 43 seconds trimmed, proving that they really don’t make them like they used to.

Contributor

Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'