Ban the Sadist Videos! Part 2

Ban the Sadist Videos! Part 2 (2006)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

The second part of David Gregory's series that takes a look at the BBFC and their harsh stance on horror movies. This documentary starts off talking about the stuff that was original cut during movies and it centered mainly around rape and graphic, over-the-top violence. The documentary talks about the various films that were hacked up but then we get into more details about new laws that people wanted passed that might have ruined anything stronger than a PG-rating.

BAN THE SADIST VIDEOS! PART 2 is another winner from director Gregory who once again proves why he's one of the best out there when it comes to documentaries. We get a great idea of what the political mindsets were back in the day because it's clear that certain groups were the ones wanting these movies cut down. We also get a clear understanding at how the media really got behind all of this stuff and it was probably due to them wanting to stir up controversy so that they could sell papers (sound familiar?). We get interviews with those inside the business as well as one many whose house was raided when police learned he had illegal videos like THE DRILLER KILLER.

Certain things seem so inconceivable - especially nowadays ... that it is tough to wrap our heads around them. Now first things first, as the title suggest, there is a first part to this, which you should watch of course. This continues the story of that and gives us even more insights into what set people out on a quest to ban movies. Violent movies that is.

Still there is no connection to individuals who did bad things and movies (or games as has been said in other instances). A person with mental issues, does not need an incentive. News stories are more than enough - when it comes to showing violence and other stuff. Someone will not get unstable because of art that he or she has consumed. The trigger lies somewhere else. But as someone says here and is true generally speaking: people do need something or someone to blame. And the "video nasties" were a welcome target - and an easy one at that.

Very good and thorough conclusion to the documentary.

I don't know why the director or producers divided the "Ban the Sadist Videos!" in two parts since the subject is the same and both documentaries are quite short (50 minutes more or less). And they're good for giving us lots of information on the video censorship wave that struck UK between 1980's and 1990's.

The difference between both films is a slightly quality advantage of the second part with dealing with the debate of how horror/thriller movies should be regarded in terms of influencing the common viewer in doing absurd acts of murder, rape and things like that. This installment was more important than the other because it reflected on serious issues like the Hungerford Massacre and the murder of James Bulger and how the media insisted that films like "Rambo" and "Child's Play" were major influences to those crimes perpetrators. And as some of us know films like "The Good Son" (released straight to video) and "Mikey" (still banned in UK but not in Ireland) paid the price because society was outraged enough with what was happening in real life. This whole discussion plus the battle in the Parliament to establish more censorship on films makes of this documentary an interesting and relevant film.

It follows the concept of the other film, it repeats some things as well but it's all good. 8.5/10S