NC-17 rating (United States)
Related: American censorship - MPAA - film rating
The Dreamers (2003) - Bernardo Bertolucci [Amazon.com]
Definition
The MPAA introduced the NC-17 (not for children 17 or under) rating on September 27, 1990 to differentiate MPAA-rated adult-oriented films from movies rated X by their producers. This move was largely prompted by Universal Pictures' Henry & June (1990), which would have otherwise received a dreaded X rating. However, media outlets which refused ads for X-rated titles simply transferred that policy to NC-17 titles, as did many theater landlords; large video chains including Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video refuse to stock NC-17 titles. While a number of movies have been released with the NC-17 rating, none of them has been a box-office hit. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPAA_film_rating_system#History [Oct 2004]Eyes Wide Shut (1999) - Stanley Kubrick
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) - Stanley Kubrick [Amazon.com] [FR] [DE] [UK]
The orgy sequence contains some of the most explicit portrayals of consensual sex in mainstream cinema.
The MPAA had an objection. The film was scheduled to receive an NC-17 rating for its full male nudity, and Warner Brothers digitally altered the film by inserting the silhouette of a "man in black" in an orgy scene. This digital figleaf moved and stood in such a way as to block the objectionable body part. This alteration of Kubrick's vision antagonized many cinephiles, as they argued that Kubrick had never been shy about ratings: A Clockwork Orange had an X-rating.
In contrast to their usual behaviour, the British Board of Film Classification allowed Eyes Wide Shut to be released to British cinemas without the need for the digital alterations seen in US cinemas. The film was rated 18, viewable only by those aged 18 and over. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyes_Wide_Shut [Oct 2004]
Film rating [...]
List of films rated NC-17
This is a list of films rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America's Classification and Rating Administration (CARA). It includes X-rated films reassigned an NC-17 rating, and titles originally rated NC-17, but edited for a lower rating. Titles with surrendered ratings are usually released unrated to avoid the stigma of NC-17.
Changes in ratings are due to resubmission or appeal by a film's producers. Films receiving an NC-17 are often cut and resubmitted in hopes of earning an R rating, which allows distribution to more outlets than an NC-17 rating.
Occasionally an R-rated film will have footage added to earn an NC-17 rating and its accompanying notoriety. In at least one case, an R-rated film was re-rated NC-17 even though no edits were made: The 1969 Sam Peckinpah film The Wild Bunch, originally rated R, was resubmitted by Warner Bros. in 1993 before an expected rerelease; to their surprise, it was rated NC-17, delaying the rerelease while the decision was appealed.
Some titles include the reasons the rating was given. In 1990, CARA began including a brief statement of the reason for a specific film's R rating; several years later it began giving reasons for all rated films. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NC-17_rated_films [Oct 2004]
0-9 1900, 1976, originally rated R; edited version rated NC-17 in 1990 A The Advocate, 1994; edited version rated R for elements of strong sexuality American Psycho, 2000; edited version rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language Angel of Passion, 1991; edited version rated R in 1995for strong sexuality, and for some language Arabian Nights (Il fiore delle mille e una notte), 1974; rated X in 1979; re-rated NC-17 in 1991 Artemisia, 1998, for strong, graphic sexuality and nudity; re-rated R on appeal B Back in Action, 1994; edited version rated R for violence, and for language and brief drug use Bad Lieutenant, 1992; edited version rated R for drug use, language, violence and nudity Badge of Silence: Maniac Cop III, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for language and some drug content Bank Robber, 1993; edited verson rated R in 1994 for strong sexuality, a bloody shooting, drug content and language The Barcelona Erotic Film Festival, rated 1999, for explicit sexual content Bent, 1997, for a strong scene of graphic sexuality; edited version rated R in 1998 for strong sexuality including explicit sexual dialogue, some brutal violence, language and drug use Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, 1970, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1990 Bizarre, rated 1991 Black and White, 1999; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, graphic language, some violence and drug use Bliss, 1997; edited version rated R for graphic sex scenes with strong sex-related dialogue, and for language Blonde Emmanuelle in 3-D, rated 1990 The Boondock Saints, 1999; edited version rated R for strong violence, language and sexual content Boxing Helena, 1993, for two scenes of strong sexuality and language; re-rated R on appeal Boys Don't Cry, 1999; edited version rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use Broken English, 1996, for explicit sexuality; edited version rated R for language, violence and some drug content C The Canterbury Tales (I Racconti di Canterbury), 1972, originally rated X in 1979; re-rated NC-17 in 1991 Centerspread, rated 1990 for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue Clerks, 1994, for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue; re-rated R on appeal The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, 1989 (rated 1990); edited version rated R The Cooler, 2003; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, violence, language and some drug use Comfortably Numb, 1995, for scenes of graphic drug use and some explicit sexuality Crash, 1996, for numerous explicit sex scenes; edited version rated R for accident gore, some graphic language and aberrant sexual content D Damage, 1992; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, and for language Dangerous Game, 1993; edited version rated R for pervasively strong language, explicit sexuality, and drug use Dark Obsession (Diamond Skulls), 1989 (rated 1991) Dead Presidents, 1995; edited version rated R for strong graphic violence, language, a sex scene and some drug use Delta of Venus, 1995; originally rated R in 1994 for strong erotic content; edited version rated NC-17 in 1995 for explicit sexuality Dice Rules, 1991 A Dirty Shame, 2004, for pervasive sexual content The Dolls, rated 1991 The Dreamers, 2003 (rated 2004), for explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and graphic nudity, language and some drug use The Dreamlife Of Angels, 1999; edited version rated R for some strong sexuality E Easyriders Video Magazine #13, rated 1992 (video release) Emmanuelle: The Joys of a Woman (Emmanuelle 2), 1975, originally rated X in 1976; re-rated NC-17 in 1991 Erotic Nights, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and sex related dialogue Erotique, rated in 1994 and 1995 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and some language The Evil Dead, 1981 (rated 1994), for substantial graphic horror violence and gore Extreme Justice, 1993, for strong graphic violence, language, and for a scene of sexuality; re-rated R on appeal F Fantasy, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for strong sensuality and language Fantasies for Couples, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and nudity Female Trouble, 1974 (rated 1999), for explicit sexuality and nudity Flesh Gordon 2 (Flesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic Cheerleaders), 1989 (rated 1991) Freeway, 1996; edited version rated R for strong lurid violence and sexual dialogue, some sexual situations, drug content and language G Games of Love, rated 1991 Glam, 2001 (rated 1998), for a scene of explicit sexuality and some sexual dialogue La Grande Bouffe, 1973, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1998 for some explicit sexuality Gummo, 1997; edited version rated R for pervasive depiction of anti-social behavior of juveniles, including violence, substance abuse, sexuality and language H Happiness, 1999 (rating surrendered) Hell's Belles, 1997, for pervasive sexuality and nudity Henry & June, 1990 (first title to be rated NC-17) High Tension (Haute tension), 2003 (rated 2004), for strong graphic violence The Hottest Bid, 1995, for strong graphic sexuality I Ice Cold in Phoenix, 2004; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, brutal violence and language In the Cold of the Night, 1990; edited version rated R In the Realm of the Senses (Ai no corrida), 1976 (rated 1991) Inserts, 1975, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1996 for explicit sexuality Intent to Kill, 1993 (rated 1992) J K Kalifornia, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for sexuality and language Kids, 1995 (rating surrendered) Kika, 1993 (rated 1994, rating surrendered) Killing Zoe, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, plentiful drug use and a sex scene L L.I.E., 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexual content involving teens, language and brief violence Last Tango in Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi), 1972, originally rated X in 1973; edited version rated R in 1981; edited version rated X in 1982; re-rated NC-17 in 1997 for some explicit sexual content Leonora, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and language Love and Human Remains, 1995; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, language, violence and some drug use The Lover, 1992, for graphic and explicit sexuality; re-rated R on appeal The Loves of Lady Chatterley, rated 1992 M Man Bites Dog (C'est arrivé prčs de chez vous), 1992 (rated 1993) Mercy, 1999, originally rated R; edited version rated NC-17 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for language, drug use, and perverse sexual behavior including violence and nudity Midnight Woman, 1990 Modern Love, rated 1991 Myriam, rated 1991 N Nothin' Goes Right, 1988, originally rated X in 1989; re-rated NC-17 in 1991 O Orgazmo, 1997 (rated 1998), for explicit sexual content and dialogue P Paris, France, 1993 (rated 1994), for explicit sexual content Peepshow, rated 1990 Phantasm III, 1993; edited version rated R for violence and gore, and for language and sexuality Pink Flamingos, 1972, 1997 re-release rated NC-17 for a wide range of perversions in explicit detail Play Thing, rated 1990 Poison, 1991, originally rated R in 1992 for sensuality, strong language and sexual violence; edited version rated NC-17 Q R Radio Active, rated 1990 Rated X, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, drug use, language and some violence Razor Blade Smile, 1999; edited version rated R for horror violence and gore, sexuality, language and some drug content Requiem for a Dream, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2001 for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some violence Romantic Memoirs (Baksmälla), 1973, rated 1990 Romper Stomper, 1993; edited version rated R in 1994 for brutality and violence, sexuality and language The Rules of Attraction, 2002; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, drug use, language and violent images S Santa Sangre (Santa sangre), 1989, originally rated R in 1990 for bizarre, graphic violence and sensuality, and for drug content; rated NC-17 in 1991 for several scenes of extremely explicit violence (rating surrendered) Saw, 2004; edited version rated R for strong grisly violence and language The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet, 1970 (rated 1990) Seduced: Pretty When You Cry, 2001; edited version rated R for strong perverse sexuality, drug use, language and violence. The Seduction of Angela, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and some sex related dialogue The Shadowed Mind, rated 1991 Showgirls, 1995, for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, nudity, language, a rape scene and drug use Showgirls: Sneak Preview, 1995, for strong sexual images (promotional short for Showgirls) Softly From Paris - Series I, rated 1990 Softly From Paris - Series II, rated 1990 Softly From Paris - Series III, rated 1990 Softly From Paris - Series IV, rated 1990 Softly From Paris - Series V, rated 1990 Spirit of the Night, 1994; edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language Stone Cold, 1991; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, and for sensuality The Story of O (Histoire d'O), 1975, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 2002 for sexual content The Story of O, rated 2001 (rating surrendered) T Team America: World Police, 2004; edited version rated R for graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language; all involving puppets [sic] Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde, 1993, for strong graphic violence, strong language and sexuality; re-rated R on appeal Thomas in Love (Thomas est amoureux), 2000, rated 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexuality and language Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (ˇÁtame!), 1990, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 (rating surrendered) Tokyo Decadence (Topâzu), 1992 (rated 1993) Tower of Terror, 1992 Trois, 2000, originally rated R for strong sexuality, language and some violence; edited version rated NC-17 for some explicit sexuality Tropic of Cancer, 1970, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1992 Two Girls and a Guy, 1997; edited version rated R for a strong sex scene, strong language and sexual dialogue, and for a violent image; edited version rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexuality Twogether, 1993; edited version rated R for strong sexuality and language U The Ugly, 1998 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for gruesome gory murders, language and a scene of sexuality V W Wadd: The Life & Times Of John C. Holmes, 2003, originally rated R for strong sexual content, language, drug use and some violent images; edited video version rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content When Night Is Falling, 1995 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language Whipped, 2000; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and language. Whore, 1990; edited version rated R for strong sexual situations and dialogue, and for some violence Wide Sargasso Sea, 1993 (rated 1992); edited version rated R in 1993 for strong sexuality The Wild Bunch, 1969, originally rated R; re-rated NC-17 in 1993, but reverted to R on appeal WVAG in New York City, 2001, for graphic sexuality (short film) X Y You So Crazy, 1994 (rating surrendered) Young Adam, 2003 (rated 2004), for some explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, some disturbing behavior and language Z Zandalee, rated 1990 and 1991 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sensuality, sexual dialogue, and languageyour Amazon recommendations
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