“Film
censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies.”
Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about
uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early
1980s. [30 marks]
Film censorship was put in place to both protect audiences and to try and conquer the power of technology in relation to illegal distribution of unregulated films in the early 1980's. Although, this was not fully the sole reason why film censorship was put in place. Margaret Thatcher, Mary Whitehouse, the rise of home video and piracy along with cinemas losing money were all things that influenced film censorship. Good intro, main contexts addressed
Film censorship was put in place to both protect audiences and to try and conquer the power of technology in relation to illegal distribution of unregulated films in the early 1980's. Although, this was not fully the sole reason why film censorship was put in place. Margaret Thatcher, Mary Whitehouse, the rise of home video and piracy along with cinemas losing money were all things that influenced film censorship. Good intro, main contexts addressed
During the 1980s there was a significant rise in the use of home video, people saw this new craze as fashionable and as a status symbol. The two home video systems were VHS and Betamax - who were competing in format wars against each other. This eventually saw VHS win this war, with the defining aspect that VHS had a longer tape recording of 3 hours, compared to Betamax with a recording time of 60 minutes. Nevertheless, the rise of both home video systems allowed much more efficient piracy for audiences and unlimited access to unregulated films. Good Film censorship was not able to rule out these unregulated films and cinemas began losing money because people were staying at home and watching films, instead of the cinema. That they couldn't see in the cinema such as these low budget Horror Films
The early 1980s resulted in many video nasties being made and consequently banned by the BBFC. Good A common occurrence with these videos was that they were horrors usually with quite graphic content. Initially many of these films were banned in cinemas, but with home video people could watch them at home - regardless of the audiences age. There was moral panic with the conservative party (who were in charge at the time. Margaret Thatcher who led the party at the time used home video as a scapegoat to blame for the UK's problems of the time. What sort of problems were in the UK? Video nasties were seen as a threat in influencing people to go and copy what they saw from these films. Also these films were spreading messages the government did not agree with and the conservative party being right-wing wanted to have control over what audiences were watching. Good – 'Moral Panic'
The BBFC were the actual group who enforced the 1984 Video Recordings Act which banned many video nasties. Excellent Initially video nasties were banned in cinema, but there was not really a rule to deny their distribution through home video. The recording act meant that all films including video nasties had to be sent to the BBFC for classification. At the time the BBFC were quite lenient with films Good and were more influenced by the conservative party who were consistently linking video nasties to nearly everything negative that was going on in Britain. Screenings of video nasties were shown to both conservative party members, as well as the National Viewers and Listeners Association, who feared these films would lead to people acting them out in real life.
Film censorship is partly motivated by audiences as the government did genuinely believe people would be more likely to commit the acts they saw in video nasties. Technology is a huge factor as without home video, video nasties could not be watched. Looking at today's cinema, many of these video nasties have went onto become hugely successful and many of them have been re-made and distributed in cinema, this is because they have a guaranteed pre-sold audience and this shows that the government of today would not censor these films as they would be economically successful in cinema. Also 'video nasties' are basically non-existent in today's film as so many films are such graphic and violent (The Human Centipede), audiences have become de-sensitized to them. I do not believe films should be censored as they are a matter of audiences personal choice, argument – good if you don't like something don't watch it. Their was no real evidence and there still is not that video nasties are/ have been corrupting society as The 1984 Video Recordings Act did not lessen crime or boost morale values in society. Interesting position...
Points
are explained in detail & related to the question fully
All
major contexts & events/institutions involved are included
A
sense of argument around the debate is present
A
good intro that answers the question
25/30
