The Evil Dead X Rating
 

Can someone clear this up for me? I want to know why the Evil Dead is rated X / NC-17.

Was it because of the extreme gore? Or mainly because of the tree rape scene. I've heard arguements on both sides. Someone please clear it up.

You mean the American cert?

I don't think the MPAA give specific reasons why they give a certain cert.

Film classification boards are often very inconsistant. The new Rambo film is reated R and its alot nastier/gorier than Evil dead.

i would think the tree rape, i mean really, hostel is at least as gory right?

I'm not American so I'm not as familar with what rating films received but what films have taken the NC17 for theatre release since the rating was interduced??

I presumed some Cinema chain won't show NC17 and some will? is this correct?

Is there even an X rating anymore?

X Rating (Adult Only) was changed to NC-17.

As for the hostel thing, Hostel is not as gory as The Evil Dead. Evil Dead is often matched up with gore against movies like Dead Alive and Cannibal Holocaust, where as Hostel doesn't even come close.

"But what mattered was that New Line could get Evil Dead into theaters, even though the film eventually went out unrated because the MPAA unceremoniously slapped it with an X." ~ The Unseen Force: The Flms of Sam Raimi

Not sure, but from what I've understood the MPAA REALLY doesn't like sex in movies. Violence can be as graphic as you imagine it, but when sex on it's own or the two mix...you get an NC-17. The Tree rape probably was the reason why it was given that rating. Had Raimi decided to not actually show the vines and branches entering the skirt, he may not have received the NC-17. BUTTTT, had Raimi not went through with it, the film may not've been as memorable as it's cult classic status.

I'm sure most of you have seen this, but if you really wanna know how bad the MPAA is rent "This Movie is Not Yet Rated". Explains so much, and makes me thankful everyday that Unrated DVD is now an industry norm.

You guys really are lucky that ratings are optional in the USA.

In Australia, media cannot be released without being rated (movies, video games, etc).

If the censors don't like it, it gets rated RC (Refused Classification). Basically, this means it is banned. Can't sell it, can't import it.

Yeh, hostel was pretty sadistic but the gore was relatively low compared to these.

I dunno which it is. Why not both? I'm sure combined they make a pretty good excuse to give it that crazy american rating.

tree rape scene?? WTF??

I think X is still around for the porn industry, and even have their own ratings (XXX) and NC-17 signifies strong adult content in mainstream film. The porn industry doesn't submit to the MPAA so they can pretty much do what they want. Especially since they make way more money than mainstream Hollywood.

When talking about movies like Evil Dead and comparing them with Hostel and more recently made movies , theres one thing you need to remember, its the time period there from, Evil Dead was made in 1981!! and hostel 2005.. audences in 1981 and people renting films from the local video shop back in 1981-82 had never seen anything as intense as Evil Dead and i guess yep it was rated 18 or X cert because of the gore the tree rape and to compare it to Hostel ...well you carnt compare Evil Dead to Hostel....there just is no comparison really. The impact Evil Dead created in the horror world back in 1981 ...it ranks up there with the exorcist ! and hostel is just another one of those Hollywood Horrors...

But yep its the gore and tree sex that did it ...video entertainment brung scenes of violence into the home and i guess they wanted to help parents make an informed choice on what their kids could and shouldnt see...my parents did know what the hell i was watching in my room ! LOL i think they would have been shocked...

There were tons of films made between the late 50's and Evil Dead that were far more intense than ED or Hostel. And there's even a few before that time frame that would surprise you. I thought ED was kind of bland, myself. And Hostel really didn't wow me either(kinda thought the eyeball bit was comical). I really don't understand why ED got such a strong rating, either, even on it's initial release.

[QUOTE=Festered;731388]There were tons of films made between the late 50's and Evil Dead that were far more intense than ED or Hostel.QUOTE]
Yeah sure i agree. i guess some films are better than others though and Evil Dead has a massive Cult following even these days.

Evil dead is a classic film yes I think the reason for it being rated X is because of the tree rape scene.