Censor Flashback: FRAMED (1975)

November 15, 2009

We are big fans of Phil Karlson's FRAMED which stars an out for revenge Joe Don Baker. We have previously covered this in out database, but now Matt has provided us with a comparison of the uncut U.S. DVD and the censored Australian tape.

Banned and censored in Australia

This was first Refused Registration in September 1975 in a print running 2825.00mtr (103:15). The reason given for the ban was excessive violence. A censored 2743.00mtr (100:15) version was awarded an R-rating in March 1976 and United International Pictures went on to give it a theatrical release.

It was first Refused Registration again in July 1985 this time in the form of a 102m VHS. The reason given for the ban was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

CIC-TAFT Video censored the print down to 100m and received an R-rating in March 1987. The reason for the rating was still violence which was now described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The censored 100:14 VHS was released on the CIC-TAFT Video label. This matches the running time of the theatrical version which would seem to indicate it is an NTSC print.

In what may have been a first for a previously banned film this actually screened as the Channel 7 Sydney's mid-day movie back in 2000. We would assume the print was heavily censored. 

Cut vs. uncut

Thanks to Matt for this comparison between the Australian tape and the uncut version.

This Joe Don Baker revenge tale is (in the uncut version) a true guilty pleasure.  Here is a comparison between the Aussie CIC-TAFT VHS, and the uncut Legend Films DVD from the U.S. There may be other cuts, but these are the ones that were most noticeable.

15min approx- Here Haskins has come to arrest Ron for the shooting. The two get into a very violent and bloody fight. Ron finally kills Haskins by bashing his head four times of the garage floor. The CIC VHS cuts the first two of these (as well as a few seconds before), and only shows the last two.

19min - Susan is threatened by Frank and the blond guy. The CIC VHS cuts the part where she says "Ow,  my breasts". The scene then continues with her slowly sliding down the wall before it cuts again. Missing here is around 25s of Frank threatening Susan by pushing the gun close to her mouth. He breathes deeply as he does so as if aroused. No nudity or any rape are shown in the uncut version although it is mentioned later in the film.

83min - In the CIC VHS Ron is shown placing his gun next to Frank's ear. It then cuts around 25sec of him shooting and of the now bloody ear as Frank is bundled into the car.

85min - Ron opens the hood of his car and pushes Frank under it. Missing in the CIC VHS is a shot of the spark plug being pushed into Frank's ear. 

97min - The CIC VHS cuts the scene where Ron stabs the Mayor in the back of the hand.

The versions were:
Legend Films (U.S.) DVD 105:49 (NTSC)
CIC-TAFT Video (Aus) VHS 100:14 (PAL) 
If the censored VHS is converted to NTSC then it gives a running time of 104:25 which would mean it is missing between a minute and a minute and a half of footage.

You mention the version (presumably uncut) that was first submitted back in 1975 as running 103:15 which does not really make sense when compared to these times. Anyway, I would safely say that now this would get through with all 'excessive violence' intact.

November 15, 2009
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