What's the oldest film that would be rated 18 if released today?

[Reno]

You think that film could have been made now ? No fucking way. Jodie Foster doing Talulah aged what, looks about 14?

It's currently on the London stage as a family show and the character of Tallulah is still in it. She is a kid's parody of a movie archetype, the femme fatale. The character doesn't really go beyond some mild innuendo. You have to interpret with the knowledge of the films Bugsy Malone parodies as to what is going on and kids don't have that knowledge.

Tallulah was the least controversial of the three character Foster played in 1976. She also played the child prostitude in Taxi Driver and in The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane she played a 13 year old who smokes, drinks alcohol, has sex and who kills people and remains an entirely sympathetic character.

 

[Idris2002]

It's currently on the London stage as a family show and the character of Tallulah is still in it. She is a kid's parody of a movie archetype, the femme fatale. The character doesn't really go beyond some mild innuendo. You have to interpret with the knowledge of the films Bugsy Malone parodies as to what is going on and kids don't have that knowledge.

Tallulah was the least controversial of the three character Foster played in 1976. She also played the child prostitude in Taxi Driver and in The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane she played a 13 year old who smokes, drinks alcohol, has sex and who kills people and remains an entirely sympathetic character.

"It was the 70s".

 

[Lurdan]

I think we have another candidate for oldest film currently holding an 18 certificate - step forward Jean Genet's 'Un chant d'amour' from 1950. Last rated 18 in 2003 for a BFI DVD release.

Obviously <satire> since we now live in a post-homophobic country </satire> it's homoerotic content probably wouldn't count against it to the same extent as in the past but it's 'strong sexual theme', to use the BBFCs terminology, and its explicit imagery would probably do so. Online at ubuweb.com if you want to judge for yourself.

 

[Nine Bob Note]

Whether it would be issued an 18 or not, I don't know or care, but that Star Wars (A New Hope) should get a U (suitable for children) from the BBFC, despite the smoldering corpses of Owen and Beru is utterly absurd.

From the BBFC database: "There is also the sight of some charred bodies after a family is attacked" Possibly a PG then?

Ridiculous organisation.

 

[JuanTwoThree]

The Immoral Mr Teas, an early Russ Meyer is still an 18. If I understand the BBFC correctly it was originally banned (made 1959, banned in UK 1962) but given an 18 on its video release in 1987.

I liked 1970s Russ Meyer films. His oeuvre is all 18, as far as I can see.