Latest news with #CinematographFilms(Animals)Act1937
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How The Abyss banned scene ended up on Disney+ as streaming service removes film
A classic James Cameron film has been removed from Disney+ over a banned scene of animal cruelty. The Abyss was originally released in 1989 and came under fire for a scene that showed a real rat being dunked into a vat of chemicals, which animal rights campaigners succeeded in having cut from theatrical screenings. But a "loophole" meant that the full version including the rat scene dropped on streaming service Disney+ in April. It has now been removed - here's how it made its way onto the streamer and what happened next. Cameron's 1989 film The Abyss starred Ed Harris in a sci-fi thriller about a diving team sent to recover a nuclear submarine, but stumble across aquatic aliens in the deep. The storyline was inspired by something the Titanic and Avatar filmmaker had read as a teen about humans being able to breathe through liquid, so some scenes include Harris' character appearing to breathe through a liquid-filled helmet. However, while Harris did not actually breathe in the fluid, a real rat used for filming actually was dunked into a vat of fluorocarbon liquid. Although it reportedly survived unharmed, animal rights campaigners were not impressed by the stunt and called for the scene to be removed from the film. Eventually, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) agreed that the scene should be cut as it was in breach of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, which bans by law the "cruel infliction of pain or terror on any animal or the cruel goading of any animal to fury" in films. The rat scene was not allowed to be shown in UK cinemas. Despite clear rules that ban cinemas from showing scenes of animal cruelty under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, there is what the RSPCA has termed a "loophole" that meant the original film in its uncut form was able to stream on Disney+. At the time of protests about the rat's treatment, the BBFC also used the Video Recordings Act 1984 to stop the scene from being released on Blu-Ray and DVD, or from airing on linear UK TV channels. But how we watch TV and films has moved on in the years since, with many viewers now watching via streaming subscriptions that are sometimes not subject to the same rules. The RSPCA's David Bowles said at the time the film arrived on streaming: "The RSPCA is really concerned that a loophole currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes. "The Abyss' controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC — so it's hard to fathom out why Disney+ has decided to broadcast it. "We need to ensure people are not being exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals. As the way millions of households consume entertainment changes, it's vital the legal framework is responsive to that and continues to consistently protect people and animals." Disney+ has now removed The Abyss from streaming, although it's not clear whether the film in its edited version for UK audiences may stream on the service in future. According to GamesRadar, Bowles at the RSPCA said: "This isn't about cancel culture – we'd welcome Disney+ reinstating the film to their platform, just with this troubling scene removed – as is already the case in cinemas, on TV, and on DVD. "This was instead about highlighting a loophole that currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes - and protecting the public from having to see this animal abuse content."
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Disney+ pulls Hollywood film from streaming service over 'troubling' scene
The 1989 Hollywood blockbuster has now been removed from the streaming giant Disney+ has pulled the acclaimed film The Abyss from its offerings, stirring up quite a storm over a contentious sequence. Helmed by iconic director James Cameron, the 1989 release featuring Ed Harris delved deep into a covert mission to salvage a mysteriously sunken nuclear submarine in Earth's most profound depths. Yet upon its original release, uproar ensued due to a particular scene involving an actual rat submerged in fluorocarbon liquid against its will. Although the rodent actors reportedly survived the filming ordeal, the UK has firmly barred the scene from being shown in cinemas or distributed on home video formats. Having sought counsel from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) banned the distressing shot because "the forcible immersion of the rat ... caused terror". This ban stems from the prohibitions of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 and Video Recordings Act 1984, leading to the scene's excision from the UK's theatrical, Blu-Ray, and DVD versions. Similarly, television channels in the UK must comply with Ofcom's Broadcasting Code which bars any material that the BBFC has refused classification from being broadcast, effectively proscribing the aforementioned scene from traditional TV as well. Streaming services, however, don't traditionally fall under these legislative restrictions; thus, the controversial scene had been included when The Abyss appeared on Disney+. But after concerns raised by the RSCPA, the streaming giant has decided to withdraw the film from its platform, reports the Liverpool Echo. David Bowles, the RSPCA's Head of Public Affairs, commented: "This isn't about cancel culture - we'd welcome Disney Plus reinstating the film to their platform, just with this troubling scene removed - as is already the case in cinemas, on TV, and on DVD. "This was instead about highlighting a loophole that currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes - and protecting the public from having to see this animal abuse content. "The Abyss' controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC - so it was hard to fathom why Disney+ decided to broadcast it. "People deserve to be assured they will not be inadvertently exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals; and as the way most households consume entertainment changes, regulations must be agile to that and continue to robustly protect animals." The RSPCA is optimistic that the forthcoming Media Act will introduce a "degree of consistency" regarding animal abuse content across various platforms. Mr Bowles added: "We hope a new code of conduct under the Media Act will help close this loophole. "Disney Plus seemingly opting to later remove this film highlights how we need a system that introduces a degree of consistency between streaming platforms and other forms of more traditional entertainment, so people can have confidence when watching films and other shows. "It doesn't make sense that we have robust safeguards for animal-related content shown in cinemas, on DVDs or on traditional television channels - yet those protections could go out the window when you turn on a major streaming service. We can't backtrack now on what society deems is acceptable in terms of how we treat animals."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney ‘evades animal-cruelty law' over rat-drowning scene
Disney has been accused of exploiting a loophole in animal cruelty rules by screening scenes of a rodent being forcibly immersed in a liquid. The RSPCA has criticised Disney over its decision to screen the scene in the film The Abyss where a real rat is deliberately submerged in fluorocarbon liquid. The scene has been cut from all previous screenings of the film after being banned by the British Board for Film Classification (BBFC) from cinema and TV over animal welfare concerns. The BBFC took advice from the RSPCA, the largest animal welfare charity in the UK, which said the 'forcible immersion of the rat caused terror' and amounted to animal cruelty. Because streaming platforms such as Disney+ are not covered to the same standards by BBFC or Ofcom rules as cinema, DVD or traditional TV channels, they are not technically breaching any codes. David Bowles, the RSPCA's head of public affairs, said: 'The RSPCA is really concerned that a loophole currently exists allowing animal abuse scenes deemed unacceptable elsewhere to be streamed freely and legally into our homes. 'The Abyss' controversial rat scene has long concerned the RSPCA, and has always been deemed unacceptable by BBFC – so it's hard to fathom out why Disney+ has decided to broadcast it. We need to ensure people are not being exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals. 'As the way millions of households consume entertainment changes, it's vital the legal framework is responsive to that and continues to consistently protect people and animals.' While the rats used during filming are said to have survived the ordeal, the scene remains prohibited from UK cinema screenings, DVD and traditional TV. Given the infliction of terror, the scene was cut by the BBFC under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, meaning it must be cut for any theatrical use. The BBFC – as the regulator of content released on physical media – has also cut the scene under the Video Recordings Act 1984, meaning it must not be included on releases on formats such as Blu-Ray and DVD. UK television channels must also adhere to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code – which states no material cut refused classification by the BBFC may be broadcast to viewers – meaning the scene should also not be aired on traditional TV. Streaming platforms, however, are not bound by the same standards as film releases in cinema, DVD or on traditional television – and the RSPCA fears this provides a 'loophole' to broadcasting animal abuse long considered unacceptable on other mediums. A new piece of legislation – the Media Act – enhances Ofcom's regulation of streaming services, and the regulator is due to publish a new video-on-demand code. The RSPCA said it hoped this would deliver a 'degree of consistency' with animal-abuse content standards across cinema, home entertainment and streaming services. Many streaming services already work with the BBFC on a voluntary basis and the RSPCA hopes Ofcom will highlight this work as good practice in the new code. Mr Bowles said: 'We hope a new code of conduct under the Media Act will help close this loophole – but we need to see a degree of consistency between streaming platforms and other forms of more traditional entertainment, so people can have confidence when watching films and other shows. 'It doesn't make sense that we have robust safeguards for animal-related content shown in cinemas, on DVDs or on traditional television channels – yet those protections could go out the window when you turn on a major streaming service. We can't backtrack now on what society deems is acceptable in terms of how we treat animals.' Disney+ has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MPs call to halt depictions of cropped-ear dogs
An MP has called on film, television and media outlets to stop depicting dogs with cropped ears, following a dramatic rise in the number of reported cases in recent years. Veterinary surgeon Dr Neil Hudson, who is also the Conservative MP for Epping, Essex, has written an open letter to those in the industry which has been signed by 21 of his Conservative colleagues in Westminster. Dr Hudson described ear cropping - made illegal in the UK in 2006 but still permitted in other countries - as "a horrific, cruel and clinically unnecessary practice". The RSPCA said reports of "cruel and unnecessary ear cropping on dogs" had increased by 2,000% in a decade. Dr Hudson, who also serves as shadow parliamentary under secretary for Defra, continued: "This painful procedure, performed solely for 'aesthetic' purposes, involves the removal or alteration of a dog's ears, often without proper veterinary care or pain relief." He said this, coupled with the lack of import regulations on equipment to crop a dog's ears, may be causing the influx of mutilated dogs. The RSPCA said ear cropping "doesn't benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare". "We urge people to not buy into the trend - the only way to stop this is by not fuelling the demand for a cropped-eared dog," said David Bowles, the charity's head of public affairs. A bill that addresses the problem of low-welfare animal imports dogs, cats and ferrets into the United Kingdom is currently being progressed through parliament. Dr Hudson continued: "The inclusion of cropped ears in media can inadvertently normalise this cruelty, misleading audiences into viewing mutilation as acceptable." He said popular Hollywood films such as Disney Pixar's Up, from 2009, and Warner Bros' DC League of Super-Pets in 2022, both featured dogs with clipped ears. He pointed to a more recent example in the US, with the 2025 Best in Show winner at Westminster Kennel Club also having cropped ears. The letter referenced the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, which prohibits the use of animals subjected to cruelty during production. The Westminster Kennel Club, Warner Brothers, Disney Pixar, and DC Entertainment have all been approached for comment by the BBC. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More than 1,000 dogs reported with ear cropping Puppies mutilated to follow social media trend Man jailed after cruelly cropping puppies' ears RSPCA - Dog Cropping
