Film Four Rapped Over Uncut Film Claim

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld complaints made about national advertising for Film Four which states that the Channel Four cable and satellite subscription channel broadcasts films “uncut…just as the director intended.”

The complainants objected to the claim, made in national press advertisements, direct mailings and internet advertising, on the grounds that they understood the channel had to censor films to the same degree as the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)-cut video version.

Film Four defended itself by saying that wherever possible it restored films to “directors cut” versions and proactively restored films where age or changes in BBFC regulations allowed. However, as they admitted that in 1999 22 films, or 1.6% of film output, were shown as the BBFC-censored version, the ASA ruled that the claim made in the advertising was not true of all films shown on the channel. It asked the advertisers to consult the Committee of Advertising Practice Copy Advice team before advertising again.

ASA: 020 7580 5555 Channel Four: 020 7396 4444