Careful screening for 'Caligula’ by the censors

Press, 3 November 1983, Page 18

Careful screening for 'Caligula’ by the censors

“Caligula,” that story of erotic excesses in ancient Rome during the days of one of its most notorious emperors, will commence screening at the Carlton tomorrow.

As with any such film there has been considerable debate about its release — particularly about whether the chief censor had done the right thing. One correspondent believed that an earlier article in “The Press” indicated that the film had been submitted to the censor unsuc-

cessfully several times before it was passed. Careful checking with the chief censor (Mr B. C. Tunicliffe), however, revealed that only one, pre-cut version — the same as is now being shown in Australia and England — had ever been submitted to the New Zealand censor. This had been carefully viewed in recent months by the censors, and invited persons who saw the film in an advisory capacity, Mr Tunicliffe said.

It was only after considerable such deliberation

that the “international version” of this Roman erotica was released, bearing an RlB certificate with censor riders on violence and offensive content Mr Tunicliffe will have

held the position of Chief Censor and Registrar of Cinematograph for seven years when he retires at the end of January. The appointment to his position is made by the State Services Commission under the State Services’ Cinematograph Films Act

The owner of any film which had been rejected for release by the censor had the right of appeal to a board of review, Mr Tunicliffe said. Also, any member of the public had the right to voice his disagreement to the release of a controversial film by communicating with the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Tunicliffe said, however, that he was pleased to hear from anyone with any questions or complaints who could write to himself, c/-

Chief Censor of Films, P.O. Box 46009, Lower Hutt.