The Top Ten Banned Films

10. The Outlaw (Howard Hughes, 1943)

Banned for years by the Hollywood Production Code. Sold sex in the western genre, showcasing lead actress Jane Russell's breasts. "The film's slogan even read, 'What are the two biggest reasons for Jane Russell's success?'"

"We're not getting enough production from Jane's breasts" -Howard Hughes

9. All Quiet on the Western Front (Lewis Milestone, 1930)

Oscar Winner for Best Picture in 1930, banned in Germany for anti-war themes (also banned in Italy in 1956). "During the film's brief run in Germany, the Nazis released rats into theaters to scare off movie patrons."

8. I Am Curious (Yellow) [Jag är nyfiken - gul] (Vilgot Sjoman, 1967)

Banned in MA as being pornographic. "Faced a landmark court battle in the US and was eventually found to be not obscene by the US Court of Appeals"

7. Birth of a Nation (D.W. Griffith, 1915)

Considered today to be one of the most blatantly racist films in history, D.W. Griffith's epic silent film depicts the KKK in an overtly positive manner, even going as far as to show the "

horror" or government would be in if the blacks had seats in office. However, this film is considered by film historians as a monumental achievement in the visual narrative structure.

Caused riots and uprisings in US cities including Boston and Philadelphia.

Originally banned in several cities due to it's racist themes (including Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City).

6. The Tin Drum (Volker Schlondroff, 1979)

Based off the critically acclaimed novel, won an Academy Award and the Palme d'Or at Cannes, yet the film was banned in several countries, including parts of Canada, as well as in Oklahoma City for a short time, due to a controversial scene that appears to show minors engaging in oral sex."

5. Hail Mary [Je vous salu, Marie] (Jean-Luc Godard, 1985)

Pope John Paul II spoke out against this modernized tale of the virgin birth.

4. Last Tango in Paris [Ultimo tango a Parigi] (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1973)

Uprising over a controversial "butter scene" in the film between Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider.

3. The Last Temptation of Christ (Martin Scorsese, 1988)

Banned by many US Southern cities because of it's controversial nature and the casting of Willem Dafoe

as Jesus. Fun Fact: Blockbuster Video also refused to carry the film when it was first released on VHS.

2. Titicut Follies (Frederick Wiseman, 1967)

This documentary followed the mistreatment of patients at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution for the Criminally Insane. Specifically banned in the US after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that the film "violated the patients' right to privacy." The film has since become widely available since PBS aired the documentary in 1992.

1. Cannibal Holocaust (Ruggero Deodato, 1980)

Considered to easily be one of the most horrific films ever made, this film was "banned in many countries upon its initial release due to its graphic gore and sexual violence, as well as for several gruesome (and genuine) animal slaying that appear in the film." One scene that involves the cannibalistic tribe tearing open a living turtle.

Originally banned in:

Italy

New Zealand

Australia

Malaysia

Burma

Norway

South Africa

Finland

Turkey

Singapore

Germany

Iran

Morocco

Banned in Italy from 1980-84; and is still banned in many countries today.

Source:

"Top Ten - Top 10 Banned Films of the 20th Century - Top 10 - Top 10 Banned Movies - Censored
    Movies." Alternative Reel. Shelf-Life Productions LLC, 2009. Web. 6 Dec. 2009.
    .