MovieChat Forums > The Vault of Horror (1973) Discussion > Why the obviously sloppy censorship?

Why the obviously sloppy censorship?

posted 14 years ago by metlguru
9 replies | jump to latest

These are supposed to be gruesome tales, and if you've seen the original comic books upon which they're based, you would find these scenes pale in comparison.

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 14 years ago

The version that was shown on TV for years was very sloppily censored - eg, inserting a still at the end of the first story of the guy with a tap attached to his jugular, plus the climax of the second story (Terry Thomas' bits and pieces). Is that what you mean?

Film 4 have been showing an unexpurgated version for a while now.

[–] pacificboy 14 years ago

Still happening in the States, I'm afraid. Just finished watching the censored version on Encore.

"My brain rebelled, and insisted on applying logic where it was not welcome."

[–] Atlantarama 14 years ago

I'm watching the censored version on one of Cinemax's channels. Maybe they aren't even aware there's an uncensored version.

[–] kanuffelrik 14 years ago

Thanks, I wondered why there was an obvious still picture when they cut to the guy hanging upside down! I figured it must have been censored, but I don't think I ever saw a still picture used before.

The version I watched (from Netflix) did however show Terry Thomas' parts in jars on the shelf at the end of segment 2 (unless there was more that was cut).

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 13 years ago

The uncensored version shows a larger...selection of Terry Thomas' innards!

Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] mr-murph 12 years ago

Originally R rated version was released theatrically in the states (I got turned away by box office lady). Supposedly even this version had the still photo for the climax of the first story.
How sad that MGM released the PG version in their Midnight Movies DVD.

[–] tabbycat 7 years ago

The reason for the sloppy cuts is that they were made to existing prints AFTER the initial release, saving the unbearable cost of having to strike entirely new ones. You can find other horror films with these post-release cuts.

I've never been able to confirm the actual first-release version in the US that was rated R, since I was too young at the time to see it myself. But I don't believe the black-and-white still frame was part of it, since there's nothing in that scene stronger than the "R" criteria in 1973. In addition, this scene shows the same signs of post-release cutting, which indicates it was only found in the later PG re-release.

I do wonder about the hand-chopping scene in "Drawn and Quartered,". I have seen three versions:

1) Gore completely missing. ('74 PG re-release)
2) Amputation shown, hands drop to floor. (Nostalgia Merchant VHS, syndicated US TV runs)
3) Same as #2 but continues as camera dollies in on screaming victim holding up bloody stumps. (VIPCO DVD and Scream Factory Blu-Ray)

It is possible that version #3 was never part of the original US theatrical release. The gore could have been considered X based on what I've read. And the very fact that version #2 exists (clearly "R", yet still cut) is consistent with that.