Film censorship in the Republic of Ireland
{{Short description|none}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{cleanup|date=July 2020|reason=lead section may need to be reviewed to provide a better summary of the body. Layout and sections may need to be reviewed to better reflect the scope.}}
Film censorship in the Republic of Ireland began on a national basis with the introduction of the Censorship of Films Act in 1923.{{cite web | url = http://www.ifco.ie/en/IFCO/Kevin%20Rockett.pdf/Files/Kevin%20Rockett.pdf | publisher = Irish Film Classification Office | website = ifco.ie | first = Kevin | last = Rockett | title = Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography (extract) | date = 2004 | accessdate = 21 July 2020 | archive-date = 21 July 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200721131839/http://www.ifco.ie/en/IFCO/Kevin%20Rockett.pdf/Files/Kevin%20Rockett.pdf | url-status = live }} This act established the office of the Censor of Films,{{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1923/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec1 |title=Censorship of Films Act, 1923 |publisher=Irishstatutebook.ie |date=1923-07-16 |accessdate=2021-05-31 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722014323/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1923/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec1 |url-status=live }} an office since replaced and renamed in 2008 as the Irish Film Classification Office.
Approach
During the early and mid-20th century, the original Film Censors Office heavily cut films and videos for rental release, or placed high age ratings on them. Figures released by the Film Censors Office state that 2,500 films received theatrical performance bans, and over 11,000 films were cut, between the 1920s and 1980s.{{cite web |url=http://www.tcd.ie/irishfilm/censor |title=Irish Film Censors' Records |publisher=TCD |accessdate=3 December 2014 |archive-date=21 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121161120/http://www.tcd.ie/irishfilm/censor/ |url-status=live }} Films previously banned in Ireland have included Scarface (1932), A Clockwork Orange (1971), and Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979).
Since the release of Michael Collins in 1996, which was initially rated PG despite its depictions of strong violence, the censor's office has generally applied age ratings and has not requested cuts to films. Former head censor Sheamus Smith (who held the position between 1986 and 2002) banned several but never cut them as his predecessors did, despite frequent requests from distributors to secure lower certificates and wider audiences. Smith wasn't fond of his official 'Film Censor' title as he felt that the term was emotive and implied someone who "butchers or bans movies". Smith believed that a director's vision should remain intact regardless of the certificate and that "it's an arrogance for a censor or classifier to be cutting up and changing it".{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0524/790565-new-film-certificates/|title = Watching Films for a Living|website = RTÉ.ie|access-date = 25 September 2018|archive-date = 26 September 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014234/https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0524/790565-new-film-certificates/|url-status = live}}
Current director Ger Connolly follows the same policy,{{cite web | url=http://freetexthost.com/6aang1fzwc | title=Free Text Host – the Anonymous Text Hosting Service – No Registration Required | access-date=30 September 2018 | archive-date=1 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001031317/http://freetexthost.com/6aang1fzwc | url-status=usurped }} although one instance of cutting involving previous censor John Kelleher exists, regarding Korean horror film The Isle. He didn't force censorship upon the film's distributor, but didn't immediately grant a certificate after viewing it on 8 September (just two days before its original release date) and "drew attention to scenes of sexual violence and explicit self-mutilation that were causing us concern". He gave them two options – either they could resubmit it for a second viewing/re-assessment or submit a censored version to secure a certificate. The distributor, Tartan, went with the latter, removing 3m 15s on top of 1m 50s already removed by the BBFC showing animal cruelty, specifically shots of a drowning bird and mutilated fish, which earned them an 18 certificate on 29 September – the changes weren't legally required but sped up the release process.{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Censor blocks 'notorious' Korean film|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=1 October 2004}}
Legislation
The main legislation under which Irish films are rated and censored include:
- The Censorship of Films Act, 1923 was an act "to provide for the official censoring of cinematographic pictures and for other matters connected therewith". It established the office of the Official Censor of Films and a Censorship of Films Appeal Board (see William Magennis) and that no film be exhibited in public without a certificate.
- The Censorship of Films Act, 1923 was amended by the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1925, in connection with advertisements for films. It was amended by the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1930 to extend the legislation to "vocal or other sounds" accompanying pictures.
- The Emergency Powers Act 1939 dealt with the preservation of the State in time of war and contained provisions relating to the censorship of communications, including mail,{{cite web |title=Emergency Powers Act, 1939 |publisher=Attorney General of Ireland |date=3 September 1939 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1939/en/act/pub/0028/sec0002.html |accessdate=3 December 2014 |archive-date=27 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127193318/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1939/en/act/pub/0028/sec0002.html |url-status=live }} newspapers and periodicals.
- The Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act 1970 allowed films to be resubmitted for certification seven years after being rejected.
- The Video Recordings Act, 1989 adds video/DVD recordings to the Film Censor's responsibility to examine. A different classification can be given than the same feature film was give but the censor cannot refuse to grant a certificate for a video if a certificate is in force for the same feature film.
Notable banned or cut films
While a number of films were formerly banned or cut by the Film Censor's Office, a review in 2000 meant that many of these have since been un-banned and rated anywhere from G to 18. During that review process it was decided that no more films would be banned for either cinema or video release, but some bans are still in place.
Prior to the Video Recordings Act 1989, many films which were banned in the cinema were freely available on video tape to anyone in Ireland regardless of age.
A notable recent ban was that of Boy Eats Girl in 2005, a film starring Samantha Mumba, due its graphic depiction of a suicide attempt. Following an appeal, it was passed uncut with a 15A rating, far from the highest possible.
The listed year refers to when the film was banned by the Office, not necessarily as the original release date:
Film ratings
Eight film rating categories exist, although a film may have been re-rated by the time of its video/DVD release.
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" |
| Symbol
! Name ! Cinema ! Video ! Consumer advice |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| General | {{y}} | {{y}} | Suitable for children of a school going age. Theme – such films will not include themes or content that will upset younger children. Violence – mild and unsustained. There will be an absence of blood or injury detail and any outcome will be reassuring. Sexual content/nudity – very mild (e.g., kissing, dating, references to ‘making love’). In certain circumstances, non-sexual nudity may be acceptable. Language – may include infrequent use of mild bad language and slang. Drugs – forbidden unless clearly set within an educational context.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/gguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - General Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024020041/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/gguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| Parental | {{y}} | {{y}} | Suitable for children aged eight and over. Theme – while more mature issues might be addressed (e.g., war, family issues) there will generally be a positive or redemptive resolution. Violence – frightening sequences should not be sustained or graphic. However, some stronger violence may be permissible in what is clearly a fantasy or comic context. Sexual content/nudity – mild; any sexual activity will be implied rather than depicted. Subtle innuendo may be accepted. Language – mild. However, in rare instances, a PG film may contain infrequent strong language provided it is used discreetly and is contextually justified. Discriminatory or racist terms will only be acceptable if used in a clearly educational context. Drugs – any references to drug use should be mild and will relate to soft drug use only. Where stronger references are made they will be set within a clearly educational context.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - PG Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024020118/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 12A | {{y}} | {{n}} | Suitable for viewers of twelve and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child. Theme – mature themes are acceptable (crime, bereavement, relationships, etc.) provided they are depicted in a fashion suitable for young teenagers (i.e., in such a way that they will already have been familiar with in their everyday lives). Themes of suicide or self-harm or other imitable behaviour will only be acceptable if depicted without detail and in a clearly educational context. Violence – moderate violence and more prolonged threat/horror are acceptable at 12A. This is particularly the case when depicted in a fantasy context (common at this category). Stronger images of injury detail may be acceptable if justified by the context in which they are presented (i.e., in an accurate depiction of warfare). Sexual content/nudity – sexual content (situations and dialogue) presented without explicit detail may be acceptable at 12A. Brief sexual nudity may also be acceptable. Language – some infrequent strong language may be acceptable, but should be used in a non-aggressive manner. Use of discriminatory language should be justified by the overall context of the film. Drugs – images of or references to soft drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context. Generally, content relating to hard drugs is not acceptable unless there is a clear anti-drug message and the misuse of drugs is not glamorized.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/12pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 12A Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926233443/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/12pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |url-status=live }} Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Censors Office - NEWS FROM IFCO |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120192726/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |archive-date=20 November 2007 |url-status=dead }} |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 12 | {{n}} | {{y}} | Suitable for viewers of twelve and over. The guidelines for 12 are identical to the guidelines for 12A.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/dv12guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 12 Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024015930/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/dv12guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 15A | {{y}} | {{n}} | Suitable for viewers of 15 and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child. Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated. Violence – this may be realistic but not gratuitous or focus on bloody injury. Strong gory images will only be permitted if justified by the context in which they are presented. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. Any such content in this category should be discreetly presented and contextually justified. Generally, horror in this category will be psychological in nature. Acts of sadism common to the genre are not permissible. Sexual content/nudity – strong sex references may be acceptable. Scenes of a sexual nature may also be acceptable but will not be explicit or prolonged. Language – strong language is allowed. Frequent or aggressive use of these terms will have to be justified within the context of the piece. Drugs – scenes or dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is glamorization, instruction or encouragement as to use.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/15pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 15A Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024015915/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/15pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005. |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 15 | {{n}} | {{y}} | Suitable for viewers of 15 and over. The guidelines for 15 are identical to the guidelines for 15A.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/dv15guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 15 Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024015937/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/dv15guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 16 | {{y}} | {{n}} | Suitable for viewers of 16 and over. Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated. Violence – this might be intensely depicted and may include some gory imagery. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. The portrayal of such content in this category should not be explicit and must have clear contextual justification. Strong horror and sustained threat may be acceptable but will not include the strongest images of sadism and torture. Sexual content/nudity – strong sexual themes and content may be permissible provided it is not gratuitous. Language – strong language is acceptable. Drugs – themes and scenes relating to hard drug use might feature. However, any instructional or glamorised drug use, particularly involving teen protagonists, is unlikely to be acceptable.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/16guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 16 Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024015920/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/16guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |url-status=live }} Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005. Because there is no direct equivalent on video, a film rated 16 for cinema can get either a 15 or 18 on video, depending on its strength. |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| 18 | {{y}} | {{y}} | Suitable for viewers of eighteen or over. One of IFCO's guiding principles is that adults (i.e., persons over 18) should be free, within the law, to choose what they wish to view.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/18guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |title=IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office - 18 Certificate - Guidelines |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024015925/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/18guidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic |archive-date=24 October 2018 |url-status=dead }} |
There are three former categories no longer in use:
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%" |
| Symbol
! Name ! Cinema ! Video ! Consumer advice ! Example films |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"| 12RA | {{n}} | {{y}} | Suitable for viewers of 12 and over. Cannot be supplied to anyone under the age of 12, and which has a suggestion for a "Responsible Adult" to be present if a younger person watches the film (no longer issued). If re-released, the rating is automatically changed to 12 (exceptions are noted in brackets). |Jurassic Park{{cite web|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IRkAAOSw~ANfR0xm/s-l1600.jpg|title=Photograph of DVD jacket for Jurassic Park|via=eBay}}{{cite web|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/TUwAAOSwyrBfR0yG/s-l1600.jpg|title=Photograph of DVD jacket for Jurassic Park|via=eBay}}{{cite web|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Q1AAAOSwUlxfR0yb/s-l1600.jpg|title=Photograph of VHS cassette for Jurassic Park|via=eBay}} The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Star Trek Generations (since re-rated PG in 2009) The Nightmare Before Christmas (since re-rated PG on DVD) Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (re-rated 15 at first, then re-rated 12 in 2011) Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (since re-rated PG) Only Fools and Horses – The Complete Series 7 (since re-rated PG) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (since re-rated PG) Brendan Grace: Live at the Gleneagle, Killarney |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| style="text-align:center;"| 12PG | {{y}} | {{n}} | Suitable for viewers of 12 and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child. Works in the same way as today's 12A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 12A on 1 January 2005. Theme/Content – Likely to feature more mature themes, e.g. Involving crime, conflict, relationships, etc., but young persons of twelve and over will already be familiar with them from their television viewing. Context – A flexibility of approach is retained whereby the context and impact of the film are viewed as a whole, rather than rating it only on the basis of one short image or scene. Violence – Relatively mild or moderate and shouldn't be imitative, gratuitous, nor glamourised. Sexual content/Nudity – Generally, only mild dialogue and natural non-sexual nudity are acceptable. Drugs – Mild or brief images of 'soft' drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context, but normally no images of or references to 'hard' drugs are acceptable. Language – Commonly used milder swear words may be acceptable, but not sexually violent, explicit or threatening language.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie:80/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/12pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209072017/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/12pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic|archivedate=9 December 2004|title=IFCO: 12PG|date=9 December 2004|access-date=26 September 2018|url-status=live}} |Pearl Harbor (the first film with a 12PG rating) |
| style="text-align:center;"| 50px
| style="text-align:center;"| 15PG | {{y}} | {{n}} | Suitable for viewers of 15 and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child. Works in the same way as today's 15A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 15A on 1 January 2005. Theme/Content – Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification normally decided by the way the subject is treated. It is worth noting that our recent nationwide survey research confirms that both parents and adolescents often experience embarrassment when they view films featuring more mature themes (e.g. sexual activity or nudity) in each other's company. Context – Modern adolescents of fifteen and older will generally be aware of, and be able to appreciate, the context of a film. Violence – This may be realistic but not gratuitous, prolonged or overly bloody. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. Drugs – Scenes/dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is instruction or encouragement as to use. Sexual content/Nudity – Mild/moderate sexual activity/nudity is acceptable, particularly when portrayed positively.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie:80/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/15pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208170322/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/15pgguidelines?OpenDocument&type=graphic|archivedate=8 December 2004|title=IFCO: 15PG|date=8 December 2004|access-date=26 September 2018|url-status=live}} Bad Santa (this controversial decision led to the creation of the 16 rating – the extended cut is rated 18 on DVD) |
The G, PG and 18 certifications have the same principles on video, but some 18s films may be denied a video release certificate.
Films which are banned and do not have an appeal lodged, or which fail on appeal, have an enforcement noticed published in Iris Oifigiúil, the state's journal. The most recent enforcement notice, {{As of|2005|lc=on}}, appeared on 20 September 2005 journal, and was the first of the year. Revocation notices are also published in the journal, where a film has been banned and then allowed. The 2010 DVD release of the 1978 film I Spit on Your Grave is the most recent instance of an IFCO ban.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11377869|title=Irish censors ban re-release of 1978 horror film|date=20 September 2010|publisher=BBC News Northern Ireland|accessdate=20 September 2010|archive-date=22 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922055232/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11377869|url-status=live}}
Differences between jurisdictions
Ratings usually match those of the UK's film classification body, or are one level higher or lower, but rare disparities spanning two or three ratings do exist:{{cite web | url=https://imgur.com/a/c6VIOuQ | title=BBFC/IFCO disparities}}
Examples of variances include the 1932 film Scarface, which was given a "15"s rating in the UK (due to "strong language and violence"){{Cite web |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/scarface-1932 |title=Scarface |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227201646/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/scarface-1932 |url-status=dead }} and a "PG" rating in Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.customaniacs.org/forum/scanned-labels/102745-scarface-1932-a.html|title=Scarface (1932) DVD label - DVD Covers & Labels by Customaniacs, id: 102745 free download highres DVD label|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227201645/https://www.customaniacs.org/forum/scanned-labels/102745-scarface-1932-a.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/QdZPuUR|title=Scarface (1932)|website=Imgur}} The reverse was the case for the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, which was rated "PG" in the UK,{{Cite web |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/romeo-and-juliet-1968 |title=Romeo and Juliet |access-date=27 December 2019 |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227200422/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/romeo-and-juliet-1968 |url-status=dead }} but "15s" in Ireland.{{Cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/8kPxzdW|title=Romeo and Juliet (1968)|website=Imgur}}{{cite news | title=The Irish Times | date=18 May 1996}}
The 1990 film Rocky V was rated "PG" in the UK (noted for its "moderate violence and mild language"),{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/rocky-v-video | title=ROCKY V | website=British Board of Film Classification | access-date=11 July 2020 | archive-date=13 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713031141/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/rocky-v-video | url-status=dead }} but a "15" certificate in Ireland.{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Censor's ruling on 'Rocky' upheld|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 July 1990}}{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/qW3AXlx|title=Rocky V - BBFC PG, IFCO 15|website=Imgur|access-date=11 July 2020|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217162204/https://imgur.com/a/qW3AXlx|url-status=live}}Irish Film Classification Office#Previous appeals (excluding bans) Upon original release, Sheamus Smith objected to the "extreme violence" of the final street fight. UIP appealed for an "Under 12's accompanied" certificate, which was unanimously vetoed.
The 1996 historical drama Michael Collins received a "15" cert in the UK (owing to "strong violence, strong language"),{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/michael-collins-1996 | title=Michael Collins (1996) | website=British Board of Film Classification | access-date=27 December 2019 | archive-date=21 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221132609/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/michael-collins-1996 | url-status=dead }} but a lower "PG" rating in Ireland.{{cite web|url = https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0117039/trivia|title = Michael Collins (1996)|website = IMDb|access-date = 22 September 2018|archive-date = 17 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211217162206/https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0117039/trivia|url-status = live}} In what was described as an "unprecedented move", the Irish censor stated that the film was a "landmark in Irish cinema" and that the film should be "available to the widest possible Irish cinema audience".{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/censor-gives-collins-pg-cert-1.88083?mode=amp | title=Censor gives 'Collins' PG cert | newspaper=The Irish Times | access-date=22 September 2018 | archive-date=22 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922063812/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/censor-gives-collins-pg-cert-1.88083?mode=amp | url-status=live }}
While the 1999 film The Cider House Rules was rated "12"s in the UK (noted for its "dramatic themes and one brief sex scene"), it received an "18"s cert in Ireland (noted for "themes of abortion, incest and drugs").{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/film-with-abortion-theme-is-given-18-certificate-1.255793?mode=amp | title=Film with abortion theme is given 18 certificate | newspaper=The Irish Times | access-date=22 September 2018 | archive-date=22 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922073536/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/film-with-abortion-theme-is-given-18-certificate-1.255793?mode=amp | url-status=live }} Head video censor Audrey Conlon advocated a 15 certificate on the basis that abortion was an important subject for that age group to discuss. Smith, however, felt the matter-of-fact" treatment of abortion was inappropriate given the then-current context of the subject in the country.{{cite book |last= Rockett |first= Kevin |date= 2004 |title= Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography |publisher= Four Courts Press |pages= 291, 445 |isbn= 978-1-85182-845-6}}
Exceptions
The restrictions applied to commercial cinemas did not apply to film clubs. The Irish Film Theatre (1977–1984), its predecessor, the Irish Film Society and its successor, the Irish Film Institute, specialised for decades in showing arthouse films that were uncut because films shown privately were not required to be examined by the Censor's Office.{{cite book |last=Flynn |first=Roderick |author2=Brereton, Patrick |title=Historical Dictionary of Irish Cinema |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=30 July 2007 |location=Plymouth |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQT4XcCPDrYC&dq=%22irish%20film%20society%22&pg=PA52 |isbn=978-0-8108-5557-1 |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217162206/https://books.google.com/books?id=bQT4XcCPDrYC&dq=%22irish+film+society%22&pg=PA52 |url-status=live }} The National Film Institute (later Irish Film Institute) had originally been set up to comply with the 1939 encyclical Vigilanti Cura. At one time this gave rise to a legal anomaly where the 35 mm prints of a particular film would to be required to have any "cuts" mandated by the Film Censors Office whereas the 16 mm prints were not, on the erroneous belief that all 16 mm prints were destined for private film clubs. In practice, some commercial cinemas in smaller towns as well as "travelling cinemas" (often showing films in village halls owned by the Catholic Church) were only equipped to show the 16 mm prints. The closure of virtually all of these smaller cinemas (owing to the rising popularity of television and video) has meant that nowadays the only places showing these 16 mm prints are bona fide film clubs.
See also
- Censorship in the Republic of Ireland
- Kevin Rockett, an Irish film historian
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- [http://www.ifco.ie/ Irish Film Classification Office]
- [https://www.tcd.ie/irishfilm/censor/ Irish Film Censors' Records] – Trinity College Dublin
;Legislation links
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1923/en/act/pub/0023/print.html Censorship of Films Act, 1923]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1925/en/act/pub/0021/print.html Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1925]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1926/en/si/0013.html The Censorship of Films (Exhibition of Censor's Certificate) Regulations, 1926]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1930/en/act/pub/0013/print.html Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1930]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091025123611/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1930/en/si/v5pg269.html Censorship Of Films (No. 1) Order, 1930]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1970/en/act/pub/0007/print.html Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1970]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/act/pub/0022/print.html Video Recordings Act, 1989]
- [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/act/pub/0029/print.html Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1992]
{{Banned films by country}}
Category:Censorship in the Republic of Ireland