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Dear Censor

Episode 6 of 12

Documentary examining the work of the BBFC, casting an eye over some of the most infamous cases in its history and analysing how it works with film-makers themselves.

Lifting the lid on the world of cinema censorship, this programme has unique access to the files of the British Board of Film Classification. Featuring explicit and detailed exchanges between the censor and film-makers, 'Dear Censor' casts a wry eye over some of the most infamous cases in the history of the board.

From the now seemingly innocuous Rebel Without a Cause, the first 'naturist' films and the infamous works of Ken Russell, and up to Rambo III, this frank and surprisingly warm documentary demonstrates how a body created by the industry to safeguard standards and reflect shifts in public opinion has also worked unexpectedly closely with the film-makers themselves to ensure that their work was able reach an audience.

1 hour

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy 

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Humoresque No 7 In G Flat Major, Op.101

  • Edvard Grieg

    IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING (PEER GYNT)

  • Gustav Holst

    Mars (The Bringer of War) From The Planets – Suite, op.32

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2, Op.16 - II Scherzo

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    PIANO SONATA NO. 16 IN G, Op.31: 2 Adagio Grazioso

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    STRING QUARTET NO.3 In F Major Op73: IV

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    THE NUTCRACKER (Arabian Dance)

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    THE MESSAGE

  • Michael Jackson

    Thriller

  • 00:03

    Bbc Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Jerzy Maksymiuk

    Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - IV In The Hall of The Mountain King

  • 00:12

    The Dave Brubeck Quartet

    Unsquare Dance

  • 00:51

    Michael Jackson

    Thriller (Single Version)

Credits

Role Contributor
Producer Matt Pelly
Director Matt Pelly
Series Producer Ben Southwell
Executive Producer Michael Poole

Broadcasts