Dredd (2012)

[Eric Plumrose]

Headbutts tended to be cut on UK releases

Trading multiple headbutts are cut only if distributors want a lower rating, IIRC. That's why THE MATRIX was snipped for its UK release even though Warner Bros. was offered an 18 uncut.

BBC were never bothered about Yosser in Boys from the Blackstuff.

Auntie isn't regulated by the BBFC. The BBFC can only dictate cuts for cinema/video/DvD/Blu Ray releases, not TV broadcasts. Again, the issue would only be if Yosser was depicted trading multiple headbutts and the BBC wanted a certificate lower than an '18'.

[JOE SOAP]

BBC were never bothered about Yosser in Boys from the Blackstuff.

Auntie isn't regulated by the BBFC. The BBFC can only dictate cuts for cinema/video/DvD/Blu Ray releases, not TV broadcasts. Again, the issue would only be if Yosser was depicted trading multiple headbutts and the BBC wanted a certificate lower than an '18'.

I know all that, but it's just silly. There were plenty of punches in Dredd, is punching not considered imitable too?

[Eric Plumrose]

I know all that

I would've been surprised if you didn't but I think it's worth mentioning, nonetheless.

There were plenty of punches in Dredd, is punching not considered imitable too?

I suspect it's because a headbutt is more novel; it's therefore perceived as being more cool than a punch and thus more likely to be imitated. Also, a punch can be directed anywhere whereas headbutts are invariably delivered to someone else's head; IIRC, the BBFC's concern is not only the injury sustained to the nuttee but also that likely sustained by the nutter. Hence, the real-world damage is factored in: a head injury to either party, in the BBFC's opinion, is worse than that to someone administering a punch never mind the poor sod receiving it.

[radiator]

Didn't the bbfc used to ban/censor everything with nun-chucks in?

Istr some pretty innocuous films running into trouble for this reason.

[Steve Green]

Pretty much, I seem to recall even one of the TMNT films had a chain of sausages cut because it resembled them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ferman

[Bat King]

They did go a bit nuts in the 90s - for them it's all about imitable content.

They're obviously worried about kids going round headbutting or earclapping each other.

Setting up elaborate torture mechanisms or stitching multiple a2m victims is probably too much effort for kids these days.

Oh and Human Centipede 2 got cut for UK release even at 18.

But is still a tad more violent and objectionable than a head butt...

Also, I'm agreeing with Joe Soap.  Everything he said in his last few posts on this thread, he's right.

I now want the Angel Gang in the Dredd sequel with Mean going up to 4!!!

[Eric Plumrose]

The 'cool-factor' of the nunchaku and its use by gangs so-say inspired by the kung fu craze was what led James Ferman in particular to make the decision. Not only TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (as mentioned) but DRAGNET, also. A conversation between Dan Ackroyd and Tom Hanks was excised simply because there was, behind them, a poster of Bruce Lee holding the dreaded chain-sticks.

[Gonk]

If they portrayed Mean as he is envisaged between the pages of 2000ad as a retarded sub species then I can't see how anyone would want to set out to imitate a character so moronic as him : "Duurrr Pa ! Look! It's Judge Dredd! Let me go up on 4 at him!"

[Eric Plumrose]

If they portrayed Mean as he is envisaged between the pages of 2000ad as a retarded sub species then I can't see how anyone would want to set out to imitate a character so moronic as him : "Duurrr Pa ! Look! It's Judge Dredd! Let me go up on 4 at him!"

If someone's so inclined to repeat what's seen on-screen I somehow doubt a movie character's intelligence will make them think twice.

[Goosegash]

I know all that

I would've been surprised if you didn't but I think it's worth mentioning, nonetheless.

There were plenty of punches in Dredd, is punching not considered imitable too?

I suspect it's because a headbutt is more novel; it's therefore perceived as being more cool than a punch and thus more likely to be imitated. Also, a punch can be directed anywhere whereas headbutts are invariably delivered to someone else's head; IIRC, the BBFC's concern is not only the injury sustained to the nuttee but also that likely sustained by the nutter. Hence, the real-world damage is factored in: a head injury to either party, in the BBFC's opinion, is worse than that to someone administering a punch never mind the poor sod receiving it.

I think headbutts were still considered contentious up until the early 2000s at least - I seem to recall an episode of Farscape ended up getting an 18 certificate on DVD on the strength of a single headbutt.

[radiator]

I read the other day that 90s kids tv series Alex Mack has got a 15 on DVD because of an episode where a child gets into a tumble dryer.

[dracula1]

Whilst lovingly studying the up and coming DREDD pic's (with much anticipation for the movie) l noticed what looks like a shopping trolley in the background shot of Anderson blowing the perps head off.  I'm due my eye test at specsavers so this observation might be wrong.

[Goaty]

I know it silly but just saw Michael Fassbender on Top Gear, thought he perfect for Cal!

[bigjobs67]

I know it silly but just saw Michael Fassbender on Top Gear, thought he perfect for Cal!

Good call Goaty.

[JOE SOAP]

He'd be better as Dredd.