Censors admit they no longer cut the violence out of movies

Critics said the British Board of Film Classification's members had adopted a policy of "anything goes" and were a "law unto themselves".

The controversy was triggered by the board's decision to approve the ultra-violent film Eastern Promises without any cuts.

The 18-certificate movie, which is released this week, includes graphic scenes of throatslitting, child prostitution and a man having an eye gouged out.

A spokesman for the board said it was up to adults to decide what they wanted to watch and that movie-goers were free to look away from the screen.

But John Beyer, of pressure group Media watch UK, said the board should be sacked for failing to show leadership at a time when street violence is spiralling.

"The BBFC has become increasingly lax and ineffective and is completely out of touch with public opinion," he told the Mail.

"It needs to be replaced with another body which will show more responsibility on the issue of violence.

"Despite the latest statistics in gun and knife crime showing that the problems of violence are at an all-time high, the BBFC refuses to take action.

"This culture of violence that the BBFC has engendered has got to come to an end.

"There is no question that the BBFC has set about changing and lowering standards over time with more violence and sexual content being put out for an ever younger audience."

He claimed that in the past three years board members had become "a law unto themselves".

Andreas Whittam Smith, president of the board from 1998 to 2002, said he believed it had been taking a more relaxed approach toward violence.

Referring to the eye-gouging scene in Eastern Promises, he said: "If I thought this was the type of film that was likely to make people leave the cinema, or even make them have to look away for quite a while, then I would question why the scene should be left in."

The film, directed by David Cronenberg and starring English-born actress Naomi Watts, centres on the activities of the Russian Mafia in London.

Both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have accused the entertainment industry of glamourising violence.

The Prime Minister has admitted to fears over video games while the Tory leader says the products" makers have a duty not to promote "casual violence, gang culture and the degradation of women".

Only 3 per cent of the films that went before the board last year had to make cuts to achieve the rating they had requested.

This year the figure is running at 1 per cent. In the 1970s, the figure was 25 per cent.

The board's spokesman said: "For adult films, we only intervene if a movie promotes harmful or dangerous activity which might encourage copycat behaviour or encourages people to do stupid, harmful things.

"Not everyone will like Eastern Promises and some of the images, such as the eye-gouging scene, might upset.

"It is not one for the squeamish and if you are of a wobbly nature, then you can simply look away.

"The BBFC provides clear consumer advice. If the board went about cutting out every scene liable to offend then we would be leaving adults without any choice. Who's to decide what adults can or can't watch?"

The board was set up in 1912 to protect "vulnerable viewers" from harmful or unsuitable images.

Martin Scorsese's controversial The Last Temptation of Christ and Cronenberg's Crash, about warped sexual fetishes, was cleared without cuts as was 9 Songs, which featured real sex.

All three were refused screening space by some councils.

• These are some of the milestones in 70 years of censorship:

1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Enchanted forest scenes deemed unsuitable for "nervous children".

1939, Gone with the Wind: Clark Gable's line, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn", cleared in U.S. after special appeal.

1953, The Wild One: Marlon Brando movie condemned by BBFC. Banned till late 1960s.

1954, On the Waterfront: Graphic scenes featuring Brando were cut.

1962, Lawrence of Arabia: Battle scenes cut for being too brutal.

1964, Carry on Cleo: Bawdy humour and near nudity trimmed to win an "A" rating.

1974, Cockfighter: Film about clandestine sport in the Deep South refused BBFC certificate because of "extreme" violence.

2004, 9 Songs: Featured real sex but granted 18 certificate with no cuts.

2006, Destricted: Series of pornographic films passed uncut by BBFC as "a work of art not intended to arouse".