Dr. No is a 1962 UK James Bond film by Terence Young. With Sean Connery, Ursula Andress and Bernard Lee.
BBFC category cuts were required for an 'A' rated cinema release in 1962. These cuts have persisted to all worldwide releases since.
There are rumours of an uncut release on 1982 US VHS but an interesting investigation by The James
Bond Dossier found no evidence that an uncut version has been released.
Promotional Material
Terence Young directs this action feature based on the novels by Ian Fleming. Secret Service agent
James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica to investigate the murder of one of his colleagues. It transpires that the island is being used as a base for the terrorist organisation SPECTRE who, under the guidance of the despotic Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman),
have developed technology to divert rockets launched from Cape Canaveral.
Versions
best available
cut:
run:
109:30s
pal:
105:07s
UK: Passed PG for mild action violence still with the previous 1962 BBFC cuts :
The BBFC cuts were presumably to the negative as was often the norm in the 60s, so cuts now persist to all prints worldwide.
Bond's fight with the chauffeur has been trimmed, including the removals of blows to the chauffeur when he is unable to defend himself. A knee kick in this fight was also removed.
The killing of Dent has been trimmed to so Bond only fires
one fatal shot. Footage was removed of Bond shooting extra shots into Dent's back as he lies on the floor dying.
Dr. No's line I'm sure she will amuse the guards was considered too sexually suggestive, and has been redubbed instead to The guards will amuse her
Shortly after, Dr. No's henchmen beating up Bond as he is sat at the table has been trimmed, introducing a dissolve to the next scene much earlier to cover the removal of violent footage.
Sexual dialogue early in the film about lovers and physical enjoyment have been removed
The gypsy dance has been shortened, removing in particular almost all shots of the dancer wriggling her stomach and bending right over backwards
The fight that happens soon after between the two women has been heavily cut
Tania walking nude towards the bed was cut for cinema release, but has since been restored for all video releases
The reference to searching Tania has been cut soon after
Bond and Tania's kissing in bed has been trimmed
The footage of Bond and Tania being filmed by Klebb and a man through the two-way mirror has been darkened and shortened through the introduction of an early dissolve
When M and
other's listen to the recording of Bond questioning Tania, the line Was I as exciting as all those Western girls? has 'was' changed to 'am', as it was considered less sexually suggestive
On the train, Bond lowering the blind in his cabin
and his quip of Two hours should straighten this out has been cut
When Grant reveals the roll of film to Bond, his comment of What a performance has been removed
The famous fight between Grant and Bond has been cut to
reduce the length of Grant's death by strangulation. The BBFC initially objected to the length and brutality of the whole sequence, but editor Peter Hunt convinced them to leave it intact, accepting only minor cuts to the final strangulation.
Klebb's death has been shorted, reducing the sight of her protracted suffering, and her death cries have been partially muted on the soundtrack
Bond's remark to Tania of What a performance has been cut at the very end of the film, resulting in a particularly bad jump-cut on the print, which affects the soundtrack particularly badly
Thanks to Gavin Salkeld. The 1964 Cinema cuts, presumably to the negative, as was often the norm in the 60s, persist to all cinema/video/DVD releases worldwide
Bonita getting out of the bath has been removed, so it now happens off-screen
The electrocution in the bath has been shortened
The scene of Bond and Jill Masterson together on the bed has been shortened
Thunderball is a 1965 UK James Bond film by Terence Young. With Sean Connery, Claudine Auger and Adolfo Celi.
Cut by the BBFC for 'A' rated cinema release in 1965 but always uncut on PG rated home video
Summary Notes
James Bond continues on his fourth mission, with his aim
to recover 2 stolen warheads. They've been taken by the SPECTRE organisation, and the world's held hostage as Bond heads to Nassau, Bahamas. Here, he meets Domino and is forced into a thrilling confrontation with SPECTRE agent Emil Largo on-board his
boat, the Disco Volante.
Note that The Ultimate Edition release of Thunderball is missing the reddening effect when an incompetent henchman is thrown in as punishment. This is reported to be a processing error rather than an example of censorship.
cut
cut:
14s
run:
129:43s
pal:
124:32s
UK: Passed A after BBFC cuts for:
1965 cinema release
The BBFC cuts were:
The first of two short scenes where Bond is seen stroking the naked back of the spa employee with a mink glove was removed. This cut was reinstated for the video release, and has always been present in all home video versions in the UK
In April 1965 Eon Productions sent a shooting script of Thunderball to the BBFC for advice on how
the finished film might be considered for classification. The letter published here
[pdf] details the BBFC's lengthy response to the script. Mindful that an X certificate would not be consistent with the previous three Bond films, the letter specifies over thirty aspects of the script that could be problematic for an A certificate.
John Trevelyan sums up the general concern of the BBFC when he explains:
I get the impression that this screenplay has been deliberately hotted up with a view to its including more sex, sadism and violence than the
previous Bond pictures, and… it seems less light-hearted in tone.
In the end only one cut for an A was required – the sight of Bond stroking the back of a partially nude girl with a mink glove.
On Her Majesty's
Secret Service is a 1969 UK James Bond film by Peter R Hunt. With George Lazenby, Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas.
Cut for a suggestive joke for cinema release and the cut has persisted to
all version since
Summary Notes
George Lazenby steps into the role of James Bond and is sent on his first mission. For help with Draco, he must become very close friends with his
daughter, Tracy, and heads off to hunt down Ernst Stavro Blofeld one more time. This takes him to Switzerland, where he must pose as Sir Hilary Bray to find out the secret plan of Blofeld. The facility is covered with Blofeld's guards as well as his
henchwoman, Irma Bunt. What does Blofeld have in mind this time? Can Bond keep up this act for much longer? Are any Bond Girls safe?
Versions
cut
cut:
run:
141:22s
pal:
135:43s
best available
UK: Passed
A/PG after BBFC cuts for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
The cinema release was edited by the BBFC to change a single line for theatrical exhibition:
During the dinner-party sequence, Angela Scoular writes her room number on Bond's bare inner thigh. After he says he feels a slight stiffness coming on, the line in the shoulder has been badly added, totally ruining the suggestive joke.
The edit persists into all home video releases worldwide.
The BBFC claimed responsibility for the edit in a tweet in 2019:
The BBFC added a line of dialogue to On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), expanding the line 'I have a slight stiffness coming on to 'I have a slight stiffness coming on... in my shoulder"!
The fight in the lift between Peter Franks and Bond was reduced to remove blows and sound effects.
Bond squirting the fire extinguisher into Frank's face was reduced in length.
Bond menacing Mr Kidd with a broken brandy
bottle was trimmed. It's so brief in the film, one wonders what was cut, but my guess is that the actual grabbing and breaking of the bottle was cut, leaving just the footage of Bond throwing the liquid onto Kidd's arms. Perhaps what little focus there
is on the weapon was deemed a more serious imitability issue back then.
Footage of the ablaze Mr Kidd running across the deck screaming and climbing up onto the railing, as he throws himself overboard was removed, leaving just the shot of him
hitting the water. When shown on TV, this scene is usually cut similarly.
Live and Let Die is a 1973 UK action adventure thriller by Guy
Hamilton. Starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour.
Always uncut in the US and UK.
Summary Notes
Several British agents have been murdered and James Bond is sent to New Orleans, to investigate these mysterious deaths. Mr. Big comes to
his knowledge, who is self-producing heroin. Along his journeys he meets Tee Hee who has a claw for a hand, Baron Samedi the voodoo master and Solitaire and her tarot cards. Bond must travel deep inside New Orleans, through marshy grass and on water as
he completes his mission.
Versions
uncut
MPAA
116:17s
UK: Passed A/PG uncut for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
The Man with the Golden Gun is a 1974 UK action adventure thriller
by Guy Hamilton. Starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland.
Always uncut in the UK and US
Summary Notes
Scaramanga is a hit-man who charges a million dollars per job. He becomes linked to the death of a scientist working on a powerful solar
cell, and James Bond is called in to investigate. As he tracks down Scaramanga, he realises that he is highly respected by the killer, but will this prove to be an advantage in the final showdown?
Versions
uncut
MPAA
119:27s
The Man With the Golden Gun is a
1974 UK James Bond action film by Guy Hamilton. With Roger Moore, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland.
UK: Passed PG uncut for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
One unnamed female censor took offence at a scene in 1981's For Your Eyes Only, starring Roger Moore, when the villain uses a knife to undo a costume worn by heroine Melina
Havelock, played by French actress Carole Bouquet.
The scene survived because the examiner admitted the Board had passed far worse and realised she was a bit of a fuddy duddy .
v Octopussy
- 1983 UK/US James Bond action film by John Glen.
The opening credits were edited after an advice screening during post production to darken a single shot of a visible nipple. When formally submitted later, it was passed PG uncut (i.e. no additional edits were made, but it is
still pre-cut. This is the worldwide version available everywhere).
The film was originally viewed by the BBFC in an incomplete form, with the music score unfinished and the opening and closing credits missing.
During this advice screening,
the BBFC requested that a heavy crotch kick and a double neck chop, both given by Bond, be removed from the film to get a PG rating. These cuts occur during the fight in the hidden room under Zoran's stable. If you watch the scene closely, or even frame
by frame, the scene is somewhat sloppy in a couple of places. When the film was edited, the pre-cut version was submitted for a formal rating.
During this stage of classification, the Board asked for an alteration to the
opening titles on a shot of an almost nude woman. Its hard to speculate which woman this refers to, but viewing the titles it seems likely that it could be the woman seen through a scope near the beginning, who becomes defocused and blurry whenever she
turns the front of body towards the camera, or the mirrored image of the dancing women at the end as Michael Wilson's name appears. She too, goes out of focus on a profile shot where her nipples almost become clearly visible.
With
this last change made, the PG rating was awarded.
the shark tank scene when a shark bites off part of Felix Leiter's left leg. The R-rated version, shows the bloody stump as the shark swims past, whilst the PG-13 version just shows the shark bump into Leiter.
The shooting and killing of the
Hong Kong agent Loti is trimmed for violence but it is hardly noticeable.
the pressure chamber murder was reduced for PG-13. The inflating head is shorter and missing the explosion. The blood drenched porthole is only shown in long shot.
Dario's death in the rock crusher was shortened of blood and gore for PG-13.
Colonel Heller being impaled on a forklift is missing a few frames but this is hardly noticeable.
Sanchez's burning to death is reduced in time for PG-13.
These cuts were nowhere near as extensive as the BBFCs, however.
cut
cut:
run:
132:07s
pal:
126:50s
UK: The UK Theatrical Version was passed 15 after BBFC cuts for:
1994 Warner VHS
1990 Warner VHS
1989 cinema release
The BBFC cuts were:
Reel 1: the whipping of the woman [Lupe]
Reel 2: the man [Felix] lowered into the shark tank
Reel 8: remove sight of impact sounds into woman's heart
[when Loti, the HK Narcotics agent, is shot in the breasts]
Reel 10: the man [Krest] whose head explodes in the pressure chamber
Reel 11: the man [Dario] crushed in the grinder
Reel 12: after Bond has set light to Sanchez, remove two shots of his body in flames
The sound must be reduced at the following times:
Reel 1: punch to man's lower body [Lupe's lover in the opening scene]
Reel 2: blow to man's head with rifle butt [Sanchez's van escape];
Reel 2: blow to
back of Felix's head during attack in bedroom;
Reel 2: at end of reel, reduce sound of Felix screaming as he is attacked by shark
Reel 3: heavy blow to guard by James Bond in
crate of worms
Reel 5: heavy kick to frogman underwater [seen in close-up];
Reel 5: reduce sound of heavy blows and kicks in bar room fight
Reel 8: blow to head with rifle butt [this happens when the ninja overcome Bond]
Reel 11: heavy blows in driving-cab of big truck [given by Bond to the driver]
GoldenEye is a 1995 UK/US James Bond action film by Martin Campbell With Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean.
Cut for the International Version and further cut by the BBFC for cinema
release, VHS and DVDs until 2003. The BBFC home video cuts have been waived since 2006. The International Version in the best available and is now the current version in the US and UK.
Summary Notes
James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead.
Versions
International Version cuts
best available
124:37s
UK: The Ultimate Edition/International Version was passed 15 for strong violence with the previo2001 UK
Specific cuts waived for
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
See the full story of censor cuts to GoldenEye in the article Rough Treatment by Gavin Salkeld
Note from nuts4R2, April 2014:
My Blu-ray ultimate set still seems to have a
severely truncated helicopter fight/death scene.
UK specific cuts 13s
International Version cuts
124:04s
UK: The International version without the UK specific cuts was submitted, but the BBFC asked for the UK specific 13s of cuts to be re-applied for:
2003 MGM Special Edition DVD
2001 MGM R2 DVD
The BBFC commented:
Company was asked to make seven compulsory cuts to scenes of violence as per the previously released 1996 12-rated version
The other cuts were applied slightly differently and more noticeably for
A head butt was cut at Xenia's "wait your turn" line to Natalya
Five Alex Trevelyan head butts against Bond were deleted during the antenna room cradle fight. One return headbutt by Bond was also deleted.
Thanks to Joel:
Box set DVD extras include a documentary looking at this history of Bond. When it came to an interview with Famke Janssen about her character Xenia, one of the scenes shown was this exact same scene in it's UNCUT format.
UK specific cuts ~13s
International Version cuts
124:04s
UK: A Pre-cut version was passed 12 after BBFC and MPAA advised cuts were
implemented prior to submission for:
1996 Warner VHS
1995 cinema release
See the full story of censor cuts to GoldenEye in the article Rough Treatment by Gavin Salkeld:
International Version Cuts
The
rough cut was shown to the BBFC and MPAA. This resulted in a set of International version cuts that were common to the concerns of both censors. These cuts have become common to all releases of GoldenEye and look unlikely to ever be reversed. The cuts
were:
During the pre-credit sequence, when 006 is shot, originally one clearly saw the impact to the head, but this has now been deleted
The sex scene with Xenia making out with the admiral and eventually suffocating him has been much reduced.
Bond's rabbit punch on Xenia during a car ride was moved offscreen
The Severnaya hijack sequence was also cut with numerous shots removed of the workers being gunned down by Xenia.
Furthermore, Xenia's death was also toned
down; originally her body was seen writhing against the tree for longer, before her back breaks with a crack and she slumps dead. The slump, sans sound effect, is all that remains.
When Trevelyan turns over after falling from the dish, the shot
showing his bloodied face and a trickle of blood running oozing from his mouth was shortened.
UK Specific Cuts
In addition to the International Version cuts, additional cuts were made that were specific to the UK release
Towards the end of the film, as Xenia attempts to crush Bond, her headbutt to Natalya was removed when the latter tried to free Bond. In fact, the entire episode of Natalya swinging a log at Xenia, Xenia grabbing it and telling Natalya to Wait for
your turn before headbutting her was removed.
All head butts were removed from the climatic Bond vs Trevelyan fight around the antenna room and cradle. This included attempted head butts that failed to hit their target. In addition, the
contact sound effects throughout the fight were toned down.
Tomorrow Never Dies is a 1997 UK/US James Bond action film by Roger
Spottiswoode. With Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce and Michelle Yeoh.
Some cuts were made by the MPAA for theatrical release. More cut by the BBFC for a 12 rated cinema release. The BBFC made further cuts for 12 rated VHS and 2001. The BBFC cuts were dropped for the 15 rated 2002 DVD but original US cuts
still apply. This is the International Version and is the best available. The Inernational Version was rated 12 by the BBFC in 2012.
The International Version includes some cuts made at the rough cut stage to secure an MPAA PG-13 rating. It was substantially less cut than the UK cinema release and has now become the definitive version.
6s
cut
114:02s
UK: The International Version was passed 12 after a further 6s of BBFC video cuts
2001 MGM R2 DVD
1998 MGM VHS
1998 Warner VHS
The BBFC commented on their video cuts:
Tomorrow Never Dies followed the pattern of the recent Bonds of being slightly too violent for its intended audience. When it opened in the cinema, the Board considered that, on
grounds of violence, the film had just scraped through as a 12, yet to our surprise, the British public, for all their reported concern about screen violence, lapped it up, content to treat James Bond as fantasy violence. The producers were alerted to
the probability that, if 12 were to remain the target category on video, the film might need further cuts in violence, since the Video Recordings Act laid down the need to assess the likelihood of underage viewing, which in this case was a virtual
certainty.
The additional BBFC video cuts were:
Cuts to scene where Michelle Yeoh dispatches one of the bad guys by means of a throwing star.
Removed scene of Michelle Yeoh taking throwing star from a hidden compartment in her shoe
Cuts to scene where Bond stamps on a man's face
cut
119:08s =114:22s
UK: Passed 12 after BBFC suggested cuts at the rough cut stage were implemented for:
1997 cinema release
There have been sound cuts throughout the video.
Reduced impact sounds in fight at Carver's (Jonathon Price's) studio party
Bond gets hit by a baseball bat twice instead of four times
Reduced impact sounds in Chakra torture scene
Reduced impact sounds in fight in bike
shop
Reduced impact sounds of Wai Lin's (Michelle Yeoh's) kung-fu kicks
Reduced sound of man being scalded by steam
Reduced sound of Carver being hit by an engine and then his death scream
Reduced impact sounds of
Bond's (Pierce Brosnan's) climatic fight scene
Die Another Day is a 2002 UK / USA action crime adventure by Lee
Tamahori. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike.
Always uncut in the UK. Cut for a US PG-13 rating until 2006 when the uncut version was released on home video.
Summary Notes
James Bond is sent to investigate the connection between
a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul who is funding the development of an international space weapon.
Versions
International Version
126:57s
UK: The uncut International Version passed 12A/12 uncut for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th
Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
Casino Royale is a 2006 US/UK/Czech/Germany/Bahamas spy film by Martin Campbell. With Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Judi Dench.
Originally cut according to BBFC for a 12 rating. The film was also cut in
the US but differently for a PG-13 rating. The uncut version was later released on Blu-ray with a 15 rating in the UK and MPAA Unrated in the US.
Summary Notes
James Bond goes on his first ever mission
as a 00. Le Chiffre is a banker to the world's terrorists. He is participating in a poker game at Montenegro, where he must win back his money, in order to stay safe among the terrorist market. The boss of MI6, known simply as M sends Bond, along with
Vesper Lynd to attend this game and prevent Le Chiffre from winning. Bond, using help from Felix Leiter, Mathis and having Vesper pose as his wife, enters the most important poker game in his already dangerous career. But if Bond defeats Le Chiffre, will
he and Vesper Lynd remain safe?
The BBFC later commented that not all the cut material was restored. Some material seen during the rough cut stage did not make the final cut, but the UK 15 rated release is now the same as the uncut version already released is Scandinavia,
Netherlands, Japan and Australia.
US: Casino Royale is uncut and MPAA Unrated:
2019 MGM [007 The Daniel Craig Collection] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon
US: Uncut for VoD streaming at Vudu (thanks to Neil)
advised cuts
cut:
run:
144:08s
pal:
138:22s
UK: Passed 12A/12 after BBFC advised category cuts were implemented for:
Cut on BBFC advice in 2006: This film was originally seen by the BBFC in an unfinished version, for advice as to the film's suitability at '12A'. The BBFC advised the company that the torture scene
placed too much emphasis on both the infliction of pain and the sadism of the villain for the requested '12A' category. When the completed version of the film was submitted for classification, reductions to the torture sequence had been made, including
the removal of lingering shots of the rope, close shots of Bond's facial reaction and the substitution of a more distant shot of the beating compared to the original version. This re-edited version of the scene was considered acceptable at '12A', where
the Guidelines permit violence provided there is no dwelling on detail or emphasis on injuries.
Thanks to Floyd:
The Region 3 DVD is uncut, but there's nothing graphic in the torture scene. There
are a couple of lingering shots, most notably where Le Chiffre lands the rope gently on Bond's shoulder.
In the cut version when there is a distant shot of him walking around Bond he says 'you've taken care of your body', and then in the next
shot he's swinging the rope before hitting Bond.
In the uncut version however, he lands the rope on his shoulder, and he leans over to him and says, 'such a waste'.
The sound seems to be cut down as well of Chiffre swinging the rope
before striking Bond, but nothing really shocking.
It seems that the hopes of an uncut US release are premature. The Irish 15A is the same version as the UK release. It appears that the German version has suffered even
more cuts than the US/UK versions to achieve a 12 rating.
Perhaps the uncut version may have to wait on the (inevitable) Directors Cut.
cut
cut:
run:
144:10s
pal:
138:24s
US: The PG-13 rated US region 1 release was cut.
Through the use of numerous techniques
including small snips, the shifting of edit points and alternative footage, Campbell re-edited the film's opening bathroom fight and the later stairwell fight to secure a PG-13 rating in the United States.
Quantum of Solace is a 2008 UK/US action film by Marc Forster.
With Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko and Mathieu Amalric.
Cut by the BBFC for cinema release, and this cut version was released worldwide
Summary Notes
Is there solace in revenge? James Bond (Daniel Craig) and M (Dame Judi
Dench) sniff a shadowy international network of power and corruption reaping billions. As Bond pursues the agents of an assassination attempt on M, all roads lead to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a world-renowned developer of green technology.
Greene, a nasty piece of work, is intent on securing a barren area of Bolivia in exchange for helping a strongman stage a coup there. The C.I.A. looks the other way, and only Bond, with help from a retired spy and a mysterious beauty, stands in Greene's
way. M wonders if she can trust Bond, or if vengeance possesses him. Can anyone drawn to Bond live to tell the tale?
Versions
advised cuts
cut:
run:
106:04s
pal:
101:49s
UK: Passed 12A/12 after a BBFC suggested
cut was implemented for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th
Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
The film was originally seen by the BBFC in an unfinished version, for advice as to the film's suitability at '12A'. The BBFC advised the company that the film would most likely receive a
'12A' as it was, but that care should be taken when finishing the film not to increase the intensity of certain scenes.
When the completed version of the film was submitted for classification, reductions to one of those
scenes had been made and the film was passed '12A' without cuts.
The film including the BBFC cuts became the International Version used for all worldwide releases.
US: The International Version is MPAA PG-13
rated for:
2019 MGM [007 The Daniel Craig Collection] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon
Skyfall is a 2012 UK/USA crime action adventure thriller by Sam Mendes. With Daniel
Craig, Helen McCrory and Javier Bardem.
All UK/US versions are uncut.
The film was censored in China. The murder of a security guard in Shanghai was expunged. Remarks by Silva about torture in China were deleted from the subtitles. Also, when Bond looks at Sévérine's
tattoo, it is omitted that she got it from a brothel in Macao.
Versions
uncut
137:13s
UK: Passed 12A uncut for moderate action violence and one use of strong language for:
2015 20th Century Fox 23 Films Premium Edition RB Blu-ray UK Amazon
2015 20th
Century Fox 23 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2013 Sony [Daniel Craig Triple Pack] RB Blu-ray
at UK Amazon
2013 Sony [Daniel Craig Triple Pack] R2
DVD
2012 cinema release
The BBFC noted in its Annual Report:
For the first time in the history of Bond films, Skyfall contained a single use of strong language. This is softly spoken by the character M, played by Dame Judi Dench. As noted in
its 2008 Annual Report, the BBFC can receive complaints when Judi Dench swears in films, but in the case of Skyfall it appears many of the audience were not so concerned.
US: MPAA PG-13 rated for intense violent sequences
throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking for:
2019 MGM [007 The Daniel Craig Collection] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon
Spectre is a 2015 USA / UK action adventure thriller by Sam Mendes. Starring Daniel
Craig, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes.
BBFC advised category cuts were made for a 12A rated 2015 cinema release and subsequent 12 rated home video releases. The cut UK version has been distributed worldwide.
Summary Notes
A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
Versions
advised category cuts
147:58s
UK:
Passed 12/12A for moderate violence, threat after BBFC advised pre-cuts for:
2016 20th Century Fox Steelbook RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
This film was originally seen for advice in an unfinished version. The company was advised it was likely to be classified 15 but that their preferred 12A could be obtained by making reductions:
in a scene of violence (Mr. Hinx gouging out the eyes of another Spectre agent).
and
in another scene showing the aftermath of a violent act (Aftermath
of Mr. White's suicide).
When the film was submitted for formal classification, acceptable reductions had been made in both scenes and the film was classified 12A.
Spectre was top with 40 complaints. The BBFC commented in
its 2015 Annual Report:
Complaints about Spectre focussed on scenes of violence. During postproduction, the distributor sought advice on whether it could secure a 12A classification and if so, how. One scene involving an
eye-gouging was slightly too strong for the company's preferred 12A classification. We therefore suggested reductions to this scene. What remains in the classified version of the scene is a brief implication of what is happening, with only limited visual
detail.
There is also a torture scene. Although the idea is unpleasant there is limited detail depicted. Given the lack of detail in the scene and the context of an action film featuring a larger-than-life hero character who
always defeats his enemies, this moderate violence is acceptable at 12A.
Another scene, showing the bloody aftermath of a suicide, was similarly reduced.
The BBFC further commented in a case study:
Columbia submitted Spectre to the BBFC in August 2015, for advice on whether it was likely to meet the BBFC Guidelines criteria for 12A. At this stage the film had no title sequence, end credits were missing and some special effects
work was unfinished, but the Senior Compliance Officers (then Senior Examiners) who viewed it noted it was largely complete. The BBFC advised that a 15 rating seemed the most probable outcome, citing strong bloody detail during a scene of eye-gouging and
further bloody detail in the aftermath of the suicide of a terminally ill man.
The distributor chose to reduce or remove elements of these scenes. BBFC staff viewed a re-edited version and advised that, now without strong bloody
detail, the film was likely to be classified at 12A.
The eye-gouging in the version seen for advice showed a man embedding his thumbs in a victim's eye-sockets, the withdrawal of the thumbs, and sight of the bloody injury
aftermath. The 12A version of the film retained only an establishing shot of the thumbs being inserted, together with a reverse angle shot from behind the victim's head, with thumbs emerging slightly bloody.
The original suicide
scene in the version submitted for advice showed a man place a gun underneath his chin and fire, with a spray of bloody mist. Two subsequent shots showed what might have been interpreted as brain tissue hanging down from the back of his head. In the 12A
version of the film, the suicide took place off-screen, and the injury detail was reduced.
Spectre also features a scene of torture in which Bond is strapped to a chair while a villain pierces his head with a micro-drill. The
scene features no graphic sight of blood or injury detail, and instead uses sound and Bond's facial expressions to suggest his pain. A broadly similar torture scene is present in a previous Bond film 203 Casino Royale , also rated 12A 203 and, given the
lack of detail, and the audience's expectation that Bond will survive such threats, the BBFC considered the scene to be within the 12A Guidelines for depictions of violence.
US: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and
violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language.
2019 MGM [007 The Daniel Craig Collection] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon
It has been confirmed that the BBFC cut version has been distributed worldwide.
cuts
India U/A
India: Passed U/A (children allowed if accompanied by adults) after 4 CBFC cuts for:
2015 cinema release
The CBFC cuts were:
two James Bond kisses were reduced in duration by 50%
dialogue 'idiot' substituted for 'asshole'
dialogue 'bighead and cats' substituted for 'bastard and balls'.
v No Time To Die
- 2020 UK / USA action adventure thriller by Cary Joji Fukunaga.
No Time To Die is a 2020 UK / USA action adventure thriller by Cary Joji
Fukunaga. Starring Ana de Armas, Léa Seydoux and Daniel Craig.
There are no censorship issues with this release
Summary Notes
Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to
rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Versions
uncut
run:
163:26s
pal:
156:54s
UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate violence, infrequent strong language:
All articles are original works compiled by Gavin Salkeld, with occasional help from a small team of researchers. Particular thanks are due to the BBFC for their diligent and helpful explanations of
their interventions.
Gavin has written about film censorship for Melon Farmers since the year 2000. See more on the Cutting Edge Facebook Page.
