Adventures in Censorship

The Belfast Telegraph has an interesting overview of the change in censorship policies in Ireland since the inception of the state. At least we don't have to put up with this kind of nonsense any more:

Sexual affairs, homosexuality, birth control, abortion and prostitution had no chance. The version of The Graduate seen in Ireland was baffling. First it was banned altogether. But the censor then allowed it, leaving 11 sections on the cutting-room floor and removing all references to Dustin Hoffman's affair with Anne Bancroft. As John Kelleher put it: "The seduction scene is at the core of the film but the Irish audience, which was not allowed to see that scene, remained blissfully unaware they were having anything more than a nice cup of tea."

Game banned in Ireland

RTÉ reports that the Film Censor has banned a video game in Ireland for the first time. The offending title, Manhunt 2--which was also banned in the UK--was considered to contain " an unacceptable level of violence."

The Film Censor, John Kelleher, claims the game features gross levels of manipulation and torture.

Mr Kelleher said he recognises that in some films or video games strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, he said that in the case of this game, there was no context and the brutality was unrelenting and gratuitous.