You wouldn’t think a movie like THE HUNGER GAMES would have to be sanitized to achieve a family-friendly rating, but that’s what just happened in the UK. According to The Hollywood Reporter, British censors demanded that seven seconds be cut from the film to achieve a 12A rating (their version of a PG-13).
But before you go thinking that a controversy is brewing, Lionsgate UK has evidently already made the changes. Here’s the official explanation via the BBFC website: The company chose to make cuts in order to achieve a ’12A’ classification. A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury. These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.
The Gary Ross film will be released on schedule (MARCH 23) with the following warning: “Contains intense threat, moderate violence and occasional gory moments.”
Here in the states, its PG-13 is warranted “for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images – all involving teens.”
HUNGER GAMES baddie Leven Rambin