Advertisement

LANDMARKS IN RATINGS DEBATE

Share

In the 22 years since the MPAA installed its current ratings system, the vast majority of publicity has been generated by films rated X. Among the landmark debates

* Midnight Cowboy (1969): John Schlesinger’s urban drama was X-rated because of a scene implying a homosexual act in a theater, but the X rating didn’t hurt films in those days. “Midnight Cowboy” won three Oscars, including one for best picture.

* Clockwork Orange (1971): Scenes of sadistic violence earned Stanley Kubrick’s satire on violence an X, but it, too, survived and went on to win a best-picture Oscar nomination.

Advertisement

* Last Tango in Paris (1973): Graphic sex between Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider, plus a reference to a new use for butter, got Bernardo Bertolucci’s drama an X (and the film got him a nomination for best director). It was the last major film to be released with an X rating.

* Cruising (1980): William Friedkin’s study of homoeroticism on the leather bar circuit in New York ran into all kinds of trouble with the ratings board and was eventually edited down for an R.

* Scarface (1983): Sex, drugs and violence drew an X for Brian De Palma’s update of the classic gangster drama, but the rating was overturned on appeal and was released as an R.

* Crimes of Passion (1984): Ken Russell’s contract with New World Pictures forced him back into the editing room to whittle this violent and sexually graphic film down to an R. Russell squawked, then cut.

* 9 1/2 Weeks (1986): Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger steamed up glasses on the ratings board and director Adrian Lyne had to cut until it hurt. The X-rated version became a huge hit in Europe and titillated renters of all ages when it came on video in the United States.

* Angel Heart (1987): Alan Parker’s contract with Tri-Star also called for an R on “Angel Heart,” and after showing the X-rated version to sympathetic critics, he snipped out 10 seconds of a sex scene between Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet and got his R.

Advertisement
Advertisement