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.