The most controversial movies banned in Ireland
Letterboxd is a brilliant website used to track, review and rate the movies you watch, all the while seeing what other people have to say about films — a great means of getting inspiration for your next watch!
There is also a little known lists feature, where users can create lists such as the the best classics; the best movies of the year; the best 90-minute films and more. 1945 classic Mildred Pierce is an American melodrama/ film noir directed by Michale Curtiz and adapted from the book by James M. Cain. Pic: Getty Images
One really interesting list is Banned Films, a look at 63 films throughout the years that have been banned in various countries across the world for differing reasons.
Typically, the reasons are due to extreme violence or political reasons. In the list there are ten flicks that were banned in Ireland during a period of time.
1945 classic Mildred Pierce is an American melodrama/ film noir directed by Michale Curtiz and adapted from the book by James M. Cain. I Spit on Your Grave (1978) was banned due to scenes of graphic violence. In 2010, the movie was re-released with the ban re-instated. Pic: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock
Mildred is a divorced mother who works to provide for her daughters but was initially banned due to the concerns about the permissive portrayal of adultery and sexual themes. The ban got lifted with the movie earning a PG rating post-ban.
Similarly, The Big Sleep (released in 1946) was banned due to sexual references with the characters in the movie involved in pornography and sexual situations in the film.
At the time, censorship practices in Ireland were heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, with the censorship board enlisted to protecting the morality of the public.
I Spit on Your Grave (1978) was banned due to scenes of graphic violence. In 2010, the movie was re-released with the ban re-instated.
At the time, the BBC reported that the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) blocked the sale of the DVD due to the depiction of gross violence and cruelty towards humans.
For the full list of 63 movies that have been banned for periods of time go here.
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