Australia
Australia is often considered to have very strict censorship, but this has changed recently, and most films previously banned are now available in their uncut form. Nowadays, only films which promote rape or paedophilia are likely to be banned, and in practice even these get a short run before they are banned.
- 1907: The Kelly Gang, banned in Benalla and Wangarratta.
- 1911: The Kelly Gang, banned from exhibition in Adelaide.
- 1928 to 1941: Many films were banned during this time under Chief Censor Creswell O'Reilly, including Dawn, Klondike Annie (starring Mae West), Applause, Compulsory Hands, Cape Forlorn, The Ladies Man, White Cargo, The Five Year Plan, All Quiet on the Western Front, Gang Bullets, Each Dawn I Die, Hell's Kitchen, The King and the Chorus Girl, The Birth of a Baby, Green Pastures, Susan and God, Reefer Madness and Of Mice and Men.
- 1942: The Monster and the Girl
- 1942: The Man with two Lives
- 1942: The Invisible Ghost
- 1942: King Kong
- 1942: Frankenstein
- 1942: Dracula
- 1964 to 1970: Mr. R. J. Prowse is appointed Chief Censor. During the 1960s many more films were being banned including The Miracle, Viridiana, La Dolce Vita, Satyricon, The Silence, Blow Up and Zabriskie Point.
- 1976: Salň aka 120 giornate di Sodoma, unbanned in 1993, rebanned in 1997
- 1995: Twelve queer films banned from Tasmania's Queer film festival, including Spikes and Heels (about the Gay Games in New York), and Coming Out Under Fire (about discrimination faced by US lesbian and gay personnel during WWII). Other films banned include What a Lesbian Looks Like, Mad About the Boy, 21st Century Nuns, Copycat and Sex Fish.
- 2000: Romance banned nationally, later unbanned.
- 2002: Baise-moi (French for "Fuck Me") banned after initially being passed for screening.
- 2003: Ken Park
Other films reportedly banned in Australia, but of unclear date:
Canada
Censorship in Canada operates on a variety of levels - films deemed pornographic can be banned from import, cites may decide to ban a specific film within their jurisdiction, and criminal charges can be brought against films. Most provinces have their own censorship or classification boards, and have almost unchallenged control over the release of films.
Note - Films on this list are not necessarily banned throughout Canada, and many can be shown in not-for-profit situations. In Ontario some banned films can even be shown on television, which is subject to different regulations. (Thanks Timeshredder)
China
China does not have a film classification system, and instead its approach is to cut and edit films, making them acceptable to the Communist regime. However, a large black market makes it easy to get most films on DVD.
Germany
Germany operates a voluntary classification system, the FSK, which classifies films, and can leave a film unrated. Films which are unrated by the FSK, either through non-submission or by being deemed too extreme, can still be sold on video, but some films are banned from having any advertising.
India
The Indian Film Censor Board classifies films, and all films shown at cinemas must be passed by the board.
Ireland
The Irish Film Censor's Office rates films, however films that have not been given a rating are not automatically banned, and some have been shown at film festivals.
To keep in line with the UK, the Irish Censor's also banned the same material passed by the BBFC.
Italy
Although Italy's "Censorship Committee" previously banned many movies under the fascist regime and the subsequent Christian-Democratic party, including Last Tango in Paris, Salo and 120 Days of Sodoma, its power has been reduced significantly recently, and in no longer has the authority to ban films. Films can now only be banned in Italy if the police prove that somebody was purposely killed during the making (i.e. a "Snuff" film), or if a citizen files a lawsuit against the film-maker, which can only be done on the grounds that a film damages you, your family, or your interests. The God's Bankers was banned through this system by the family of Roberto Calvi, the banker who's activities and death are explored in the film.
Kuwait
Kuwait has very strict censorship, and is likey to cut or ban any film that contains sexual themes. Many films are banned without much fanfare, a notable exception being Fahrenheit 9/11, which prompted a government statement. However, like many countries with strict censorship, there is a large black market for DVDs where many banned films will be found.
Malaysia
Malaysia has some of the strictest censorship in the world, and often edits large parts of films that are deemed too violent, have sexual content, or touch on sensitive religious topics. Scenes of kissing are often removed from films, and swearing is usually removed. The films that are officially banned include:
New Zealand
The Office of Film and Literature Classification has the power to classify a film as unrestricted, restricted, or objectionable (banned). Some films are banned on video, but allowed to be shown in cinemas and at film festivals, e.g. Irréversible
Pakistan
The import of films produced in India is banned in Pakistan, effectively removing them from cinemas, but there is a large black market in the country, so many films are available on DVD, if not legally.
Spain
The Ministry for Culture rates films and video releases through the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts. Some of the autonomous communities have their own systems.
Switzerland
Each of the cantons of Switzerland implements its own film ratings, and films are rarely banned from screening or cut.
United Kingdom
The BBFC is an independent body which has classified films released in the UK since its formation in 1912, and videos since 1984. However the final say remains with local councils, which can pass films that have been rejected, or implement their own cuts. In practice though, this does not happen, and is unlikely ever to. The ratings for videos, however, are legally binding.
- 1954: The Wild One, un-banned and released theatrically in the late 1960s.
- 1968: The Trip, unbanned at some point but not released in Great Britain until the mid-1990s.
- 1971: A Clockwork Orange, the director, Stanley Kubrick, pulled this film from cinema and video release after a number of copycat crimes based on the film occurred. Since his death, it has been widely available on video and DVD.
- 1972: Last House on the Left, un-banned in 2002, but in a cut form.
- 1974: Texas Chainsaw Massacre banned by the then head of the BBFC, James Ferman. Un-banned in 1999.
1984: With the creation of the Video Nasty list, over 70 films were banned from distribution, with fines and the threat of prison for anyone who sold them. Most films that were once on the list have now been released, although some have been cut significantly. The films from the list which remain banned are:
- 2002: Hooligans
- 2003: Bum Fights
- 2003: Spy of Darkness
- 2003: Video Voyeur
- 2004: Women in Cellblock 9
- 2004: The Howling: Fake Porn Movie
- 2005: High Yield Hydroponic Systems
- 2005: Mushroom Growing Made Easy
- 2005: The Hash Man
- 2005: Introduction to Indoor Gardening
- 2005: Terrorist, Killers & Other Wackos
- 2005: Sever Punishment
- 2005: Traces of Death
United States
There has never been national censorship in the United States, however from 1930 - 1964 there were film censorship boards at state and local levels. The MPAA, which issues ratings to films, attempted to satisfy all the separate boards with the Motion Picture Production Code in the 1920's. This censorship is voluntary, however many theatres will refuse to show films which have not been through the MPAA's process.
Please msg me if you spot any errors / omissions.
CST Approved
Sources: wikipedia.org, about.com, thefileroom.org, imdb.com, pacifiedagain.tripod.com, bbfc.co.uk, independant.co.uk, thecanadianencyclopedia.com, hilaliya.com
And thanks to Jack for his advice
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