Banned In Australia Films

HONDO

I am going to download images of overseas posters of films from time to time that were banned for exhibition in Australia.I will concentrate on titles that never were released theatrically opposed to titles that were released years after their original bannings after being resubmitted for classification and passed. The first two are United Artists releases from the 1950's.

John

The Last Mile is just another example of the extraordinary range of work that Mickey Rooney accomplished. A truly great actor.

HONDO

Agree 100%. He was great also in the title role of Baby Face Nelson which did get a release in Australia. This film has had the original print lost and only very poor copies circulate of this film.

Matt

Phil Edwards has a list of banned 50's sci fi movies somewhere I read.

HONDO

Matt said:

Phil Edwards has a list of banned 50's sci fi movies somewhere I read.

I have a list also and most likely from the same original source. It isn't complete 100% though as the original material left off a few films.

Matt

Arh yes, something to do with the censors chopping bits and pieces later on?

HONDO

The third in my thread of banned in Australia films. Lady In A Cage ( 1964 ) was banned and only saw the light of day in Australia when passed for exhibition in 2005 on DVD with the M classification. Has been screened on television since then.

HONDO

Matt said:

Arh yes, something to do with the censors chopping bits and pieces later on?

From The Bulletin.

Matt

HONDO said:

Matt said:

Arh yes, something to do with the censors chopping bits and pieces later on?

From The Bulletin.

? Can you explain further please.

HONDO

Matt said:

HONDO said:

Matt said:

Arh yes, something to do with the censors chopping bits and pieces later on?

From The Bulletin.

? Can you explain further please.

Just realised I haven't responded to your question. Will have to dig out some notes and will get back to you soon.

HONDO

Found my notes and re-reading them is fascinating. The article from The Bulletin magazine dated November 20, 1965 has on the front cover ''Film Censorship The Untold Story''. The story is called ''Faces on the cutting room floor - film censorship  the unnecessary secrets''. There were six pages all together which includes ""A select list of banned films''. Notice the word select. I know of a lot of titles that were banned that don't appear on the list so a complete list of banned film up to late 1965 is impossible to complete.

I intent to write more of the very entertaining material I have on this article but to wet your appetite I will share with you the following piece.

In 1942 Creswell O'Reilly the Australian Chief Film Censor retired and then replaced by John Alexander. In 1948 horror films began to be clamped down on. In that year Alexander said - '' Horror films are neither entertaining nor cultural. they cater only for a small minority of the moronic type''.

David

Max offers a good research resource here

http://www.refused-classification.com/default.html

HONDO

Film # 4 - The Colossus Of New York ( 1958 ). Considered by some to be an underrated science fiction film and was mainly shown in the U.S.A. on a  double bill with The Space Children on the drive-in circuits.

No release theatrically in Australia ever as far as I can tell. Not sure if the film has ever been screened on Australian television or not.

Is available in the U.S. on Blue Ray.

v

[Deleted User]

HONDO said:

 '' Horror films are neither entertaining nor cultural. they cater only for a small minority of the moronic type''.

And that kids is why they being an uncultured moron ain't so bad

HONDO

U.S. 1958 re-release poster.           

                                                                                                                                                                                      Film # 5 -  Island Of Lost Souls ( 1932 ) but the 1958 Re-issue only. The film was originally released in Australia in 1933 with a Suitable For Adults Only rating. In 1958 in Australia the reissue of Island Of Lost Souls was submitted for classification but was banned.

It appears the film was never re-submitted after then.

Not sure if the film has ever been screened on television or not in Australia.

Released in the U.S.A. on  DVD & Blu-Ray as part of The Criterion Collection.

Have some more interesting information about the Island Of Lost Souls history in Australia and overseas and if a few people let me know they would like to see it I will then post it.

HONDO

                                                                                                                                                                                         Film # 6 - Taste The Blood Of Dracula ( 1970 )                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Rejected in July 1970 by the Australian Censor then the reconstructed version submitted in August 1970 refused again for violence and indecency.

Shown on Australian television in 1980 with a AO rating with a repeat notification in the TV guide, so most likely shown  earlier than this on television in the late 1970s.

Passed for videotape release with a M certificate on  5/ 7 /1989.

theartofmovieposters

HONDO said:

U.S. 1958 re-release poster.           

                                                                                                                                                                                      Film # 5 -  Island Of Lost Souls ( 1932 ) but the 1958 Re-issue only. The film was originally released in Australia in 1933 with a Suitable For Adults Only rating. In 1958 in Australia the reissue of Island Of Lost Souls was submitted for classification but was banned.

It appears the film was never re-submitted after then.

Not sure if the film has ever been screened on television or not in Australia.

Released in the U.S.A. on  DVD & Blu-Ray as part of The Criterion Collection.

Have some more interesting information about the Island Of Lost Souls history in Australia and overseas and if a few people let me know they would like to see it I will then post it.

I would like to see it...and just going forward, I am always keen to read or see anything people have to post which will make me more knowledgable...

HONDO

theartofmovieposters said:

HONDO said:

U.S. 1958 re-release poster.           

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Have some more interesting information about the Island Of Lost Souls history in Australia and overseas and if a few people let me know they would like to see it I will then post it.

I would like to see it... and just going forward, I am always keen to read or see anything people have to post which will make me more knowledgable...

When originally released in Australia in 1933 at least one city cinema screened the adults only film with Pack Up Your Troubles with Laurel and Hardy and Walt Disneys The Whoopee Party in support. Unusual combination I would have thought.

The following has been lifted from Wikipedia.

''The film was examined and refused  a certificate three times by the British Board Of Film Censors in 1933, 1951 and 1957. The reason for the initial ban was due to scenes of vivisection; it is likely that the Cinematograph Films ( Animals ( Act 1937, which forbade the portrayal of cruelty to animals in feature films  released in Britain, was a significant factor in the BBFC's subsequent rejections. The film was eventually passed after cuts were made with an ''X'' certificate on July 9, 1958. 

Original author H.G.Wells was outspoken in his dislike of the film, feeling the overt horror elements overshadowed the story's deeper philosophical meaning. The censors also objected to Dr. Moreau saying '' Do you know what it means to feel like God?''

HONDO

David

From Refused Classifications website - links provided with details.

Max, who runs the site is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. I've provided him a link to this thread as both sites have something in common I am sure we are happy for him to use the posters images for his site too.

A

ABC of Love and Sex: Australia Style, The (1978)

Abducted (1973)

Abductors, The (1972)

Adult Version of Jekyll and Hide, The (1972)

Adventure Kids: Episode 1 (1993)

Act of Vengeance SEE Rape Squad (1974)

Aftermath (1994)

Aftermath, The (1982)

Alice in Wonderland (1976)

Alithini Idoni (1974)

All About Sex of All Nations (1971)

All-American Girl, The (1973)

All Lovers Are Strangers SEE Escort Girls (1975)

Amazing Shocking Asia, The (1997)

Amorous Sisters (1982)

Anatomy of a Virgin SEE Without a Stitch (1968)

Anatomy of Hell (2004)

And Now Prepare Your Grave (1968)

Andy Warhol's Bad (1977)

Angel (1987) 

Angel Delight (1992)

Angel Mine (1978)

Anita (1973)

Annie: The Virgin of St Tropez (1973)

Anthropophagous: The Beast (1980)

Anybody's (1970)

Ashley and Kisha: Finding the Right Fit (2007)

Assault: Criminals Part IV (1977)

As the Naked Wind from the Sea (1968)

Auditions (1978)

Au Pair Girls (1972)

Australia After Dark (1975)

Autopsy (1973)

Awakening, The (1970)

Awakening of Annie, The SEE Annie: The Virgin of St Tropez (1973)

Axe (1977)

Azumanga Daioh (2002) *

 

B

Bad Penny (1978)

Bad Taste (1987)

Baise-moi (2000)

Bananes Mecaniques SEE Mechanical Bananas (1973)

Banging in Bangkok (1976)

Banned from TV (1998)

Barbarian Queen (1985)

Barbed Wire Dolls SEE Caged Women (1975)

Bare Breasted Countess SEE Female Vampire (1973)

Barnens ö (1980)

Bastard, The (1968)

Beach Blanket Bango (1975)

Beast, The (1975)

Beast in Heat (1977)

Beast of Pleasure (1974)

Beat Angel Escalayer (2002) *

Bedside Dentist (1971)

Behind Convent Walls (1978)

Best of New York Erotic Film Festival, The (1973)

Bête, La  SEE The Beast (1975)

Beyond, The (1981)

Beyond the Darkness (1979)

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

Bibi: Confessions of Sweet Sixteen (1974)

The Big Boss (1971)

Big Bust Out, The (1972)

Big Doll House, The (1971)

Big John is Here SEE Eruption (1977)

"Big" John Holmes is Here SEE Eruption (1977)

Big Snatch, The (1971)

Bikini Bandits (197?)

Birth (2004) *

Bite, The (1975)

Black Alley Cats, The (1973)

Black Angels (1970)

Black Caesar SEE The Godfather of Harlem (1973(

Black Deep Throat (1976)

Black on White (1968)

Blindman (1971)

Blood Frenzy (1987)

Bloodsucking Freaks SEE The Troma Intelligence Test (1999)

Bloody Fists, The (1972)

Bloody Friday (1972)

Bloody Virgin (1975)

Blue Ecstasy (1976)

Blue Summer (1973)

Blue Visions SEE Panorama Blue (1974)

Body Shop, The (1977)

Bondage Mansion (2001)

Box Boy (197?)

Boxcar Bertha (1972)

Bride of Frank (1996)

Britt Blazer (1970)

Bronze Head and Steel Arm (1972)

Brood, The (1979)

Brother and Sister (1973)

Brotherhood (1976)

Brother of Darkness (1994)

Brothers in Arms (1988)

Brown Bunny, The (2003) *

Brüno (2009)

Bumfights: A Cause for Concern (2002)

Burning, The (1981)

Butterflies (1975)

 

C

Cadillac Named Desire (197?)

Caged Fury (1989)

Caged Women (1975)

Calamity of Snakes (1982)

California Axe Massacre SEE Axe (1977)

Caligula (1980)

Caligula: The Untold Story (1981) *

Campus (2002) *

Cannibal Apocalypse (1980)

Cannibal Ferox (1981)

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Captain Lust (1977)

Carmen Electra: The Chosen One SEE The Troma Intelligence Test (1999)

Cartel (1990)

Change of Partners, A (1976)

Change pas de main (1975)

Challenge, The (1982)

Chasing Reality (2013)

Cherry's Girls (197?)

China Girl (1975)

Christiane F. (1981)

Christy (1975)

Chosen One: Legend of The Raven, The SEE The Troma Intelligence Test (1999)

City of the Living Dead (1980)

Civilta Del Vizio SEE Confessions of a Blue Movie Star (1977)

Classes in Seduction (2004)

Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986)

Clay Pigeon (1971)

Climax of Blue Power, A (1975)

Cocktail Hostesses, The (1973)

Cold-Blooded Beast, The (1971)

College Girls Uncovered 3 SEE Girls Gone Wild: Co-Ed Tryouts 3 (2008) *

Color Me Blood Red (1965)

Combat Shock (1986)

Come Back Peter (1969)

Come to My Bedside (1975)

Coming of Age (1983)

Community Action Center (2010)

Commuter Husbands (1972)

Confessions of a Blue Movie Star (1977)

Confessions of a Serial Killer (1985)

Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974)

Convoy Of Women (1974)

Cool Devices (1995)

Coples du Bois de Bologne, Les SEE Couples of Boulogne, The (1974)

Country Cuzzins (1970)

Couples du Bois de Boulogne, Les SEE Couples of Boulogne, The (1974)

Couples of Boulogne, The (1974)

Criminally Insane (1975)

Crying Freeman- 5: The Impersonator and 6: The Russian Connection (1992-93)

Cry of a Prostitute (1974)

Cueillette des Cerises, La (197?)

Curious Female, The (1970)

Cut and Run (1985)

Cut-Throats, The (1969)

 

D

Daddy, Darling (1970)

Damon and Hunter: Doing it Together (2005)

Dämonenbrut (2000)

Danish Blue (1968)

Danish Connection, The (1974)

Darling (2003)

Daughter, The (1970)

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Day of the Dead (1985)

Dead and Buried (1981)

Deadly Avenger, The (1991)

Deadly Dream Woman (1992)

Deadly Effects: Wound Ballistics (1987)

Deadly Sunday (1982)

Deadly Weapons: Firearms and Firepower (1985)

Dead Man (1995)

Dear God No! (2011) *

Dear Irene (1971)

Death Scenes (1989)

Death Trap (1976)

Death Warmed Up (1985)

Death Wish 2 (1982)

Death Wish 3 (1985)

Debts of Desire (2002) *

Decameron, The (1971)

Decamerone Proibito, Il SEE Forbidden Decameron (1972)

Deep Love (1970)

Deep River Savages SEE Man From Deep River (1973)

Degradation of Emanuelle, The (1977)

Demoniaques, Les (1974)

Demons of the Mind (1972)

Demon Wet Nurse, The (1992)

Devils, The (1971)

Devils in Mykonos SEE Island of Perversion (1975)

Diamantia Sto Gymno Sou Soma SEE Diamonds on Her Naked Flesh (1972)

Diamonds on Her Naked Flesh (1972)

Diary of a Serial Killer (1995)

Diary of a Sinner (1974)

Die Insel der Dämonen (1998)

Die Jungfrau Von 18 Karat SEE Without a Stitch (1968)

Dirty Dolls, The (1973)

Dirty Mind of Young Sally, The (1973)

Dirty Western, A (1975)

Discreet Pleasures in a Swedish Upper Class Family (197?)

Disturbance, The (1990)

Dogma 2 "The Idiots" SEE The Idiots (1998)

Don't Answer the Phone (1980)

Don't Change Hands SEE Change pas de main (1975)

Don't Go in the House (1980)

Don't Spank…Spass SEE La Fessee (1976)

Don't Stop My Crazy Love For You (1993)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dr. Carstair's 1869 Love-Root Elixir (1972)

Dreamaniac (1986)

Dreams of Eroticism (1977)

Driller Killer, The (1979)

Dr Lamb (1992)

 

E

Easy Virtue: Dairy of a Teenage Prostitute (1972)

Eaten Alive SEE Death Trap (1977)

Eaten Alive (1980)

Echanges de partenaires SEE Change of Partners, A (1976)

Eden Club (197?)

Electric Blue 001 (1980)

Electric Blue 002 (1980)

<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www

HONDO

Film # 7 - Frankenstein 1970 ( 1958 )

Banned in 1959 by the Australian Censor on horror grounds.

Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell. Not sure if the film has had any television screenings  in Australia or not.

Is available on DVD in the U.S.A.

HONDO

Film # 8 - The Alligator People ( 1959 ).

Banned by the Australian censor in 1959 on horror grounds.

Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell. Not sure if the film has had any television screenings in Australia or not.   

Is available on DVD in the U.S.A.

Matt

Clickable links...nice work Dave and keep up the good work Hondo!

HONDO

Film # 9 - Night Of The Eagle ( aka Burn, Witch, Burn ) ( 1962 ).

Banned by the Australian censor in 1962 under the title Night Of The Eagle on horror grounds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell. I am certain I remember the film being screened on television in the past.

Passed for public exhibition on videotape in Australia in 1992 with a PG rating.

Has been available on U.K. region 2 dvd as Night Of The Demon  and U.S. dvd-r as Burn Witch Burn!

HONDO

                                                              Film # 10 -  Daughter Of Dr. Jekyll  ( 1957 )

Banned by the Australian censor in 1958 on horror grounds.

Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell. Not aware of the film having any television screenings in Australia,

Has been made available previously in the U.S.A. on V.H.S. & DVD.

HONDO

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Film # 11 - She Devil ( 1957 ).                                                                                                                                                                                          Banned by the Australian censor in 1957 on horror grounds.  

                                                                                                                                                                                       Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell. Not aware of the film having any television screenings in Australia.

Available in the U.S.A. on Blu-Ray & DVD.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Matt

More....bugger....

HONDO

I am to soon list a banned western film, and the only one that I am aware of, that was banned in Australia. Before I do this any idea which film this is ?

HONDO

                                                                                                                                                                                             Film # 12 - Young Fury ( 1965 )     

Banned by the Australian censor in 1964, the year before the U.S. release in February 1965, on violence grounds.     

Not released theatrically ever in Australia as far as I can tell.        

Screened on Australia television in 1980 and 1981 with an advertised A.O. rating.     

Never released officially on VHS, DVD or Blu-ray by Paramount but is available in the U.S.A. on DVDr through a few outlets including Hollywood Scrapheap.  Available for unlimited streaming through Prime Video and other sources also. Advertised on one site as being in public domain but this point would be debatable.                                                

HONDO

                                                                                                                                                                                           Film # 13- Under Age ( 1964 )

Banned by the Australian censor in 1965 on sex grounds.

Never released theatrically in Australia as far as I can tell.

Television screenings, if any, unknown.

Available for free downloading online.

HONDO

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Film # 14. Rebellion Of The Hanged ( La Rebelion De Los Colgados ) ( 1954 ). From Mexico.

Banned by the Australian censor in 1959 on violence grounds.

Never released theatrically in Australia as far as I can tell.