NC-17  

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NC-17 is a rating in the film rating system of the United States used for a film suitable for adults, ages 17 and up.

In the early years of the Motion Picture Association of America, the film rating system of the United States, "X"-rated films such as Midnight Cowboy (1969), A Clockwork Orange (1971), the animated Fritz the Cat (1972), and Last Tango in Paris (1973) were understood to be unsuitable for children, but non-pornographic and intended for the general public. However, pornographic films often self-applied the non-trademarked "X" rating, and it soon became synonymous with pornography in American culture. In late 1989 and early 1990, two critically acclaimed art films featuring strong adult content, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, were released. Neither was approved for an MPAA rating, thus limiting their commercial distribution, and prompting criticism of the rating system's lack of a designation for such films. In September 1990, the MPAA introduced the rating "NC-17" ("No Children Under 17 Admitted"). Henry & June – previously to be assigned an "X" rating – was the first film to receive the "NC-17" rating instead. Although films with an "NC17" rating had more mainstream distribution opportunities than "X"-rated films, many cinemas refused to screen them, most entertainment media did not accept advertising for them, and many large video outlets refused to stock them.

List

This is a list of films rated NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America's. It includes X-rated films reassigned an NC-17 rating, and titles originally rated NC-17, but edited for a lower rating. Titles with surrendered ratings are usually released unrated to avoid the stigma of NC-17.

Changes in ratings are due to resubmission or appeal by a film's producers. Films receiving an NC-17 are often cut and resubmitted in hopes of earning an R rating, which allows distribution to more outlets than an NC-17 rating.

Occasionally an R-rated film will have footage added to earn an NC-17 rating and its accompanying notoriety. In at least one case, an R-rated film was re-rated NC-17 even though no edits were made: The 1969 Sam Peckinpah film The Wild Bunch, originally rated R, was resubmitted by Warner Bros. in 1993 before an expected rerelease; to their surprise, it was rated NC-17, delaying the rerelease while the decision was appealed.

Some titles include the reasons the rating was given. In 1990, CARA began including a brief statement of the reason for a specific film's R rating; several years later it began giving reasons for all film ratings.

0–9

• 1900, 1976, originally rated X; edited version rated R (1977); uncut version rated NC-17 (1990), rating surrendered.

A

• American Pie, 1999; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, crude sexual dialogue, language and drinking, all involving teens
• American Psycho, 2000; edited version rated R for strong violence, sexuality, drug use and language
• Angel of Passion, 1991; edited version rated R in 1995 for strong sexuality, and for some language
• Arabian Nights (Il fiore delle mille e una notte), 1974; rated X in 1979; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1991
• Artemisia, 1998; re-rated R on appeal for strong, graphic sexuality and nudity

B

• Back in Action, 1994; edited version rated R for violence, and for language and brief drug use
• Bad Education, 2004, for explicit sexual content; edited version ("Special Edition") rated R for strong sexual content throughout, language and some drug use
• Bad Lieutenant, 1992, for sexual violence, strong sexual situations and dialogue, graphic drug use; edited version rated R for drug use, language, violence and nudity
• Badge of Silence: Maniac Cop III, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for language and some drug content
• Bank Robber, 1993; edited version rated R in 1994 for strong sexuality, a bloody shooting, drug content and language
• The Barcelona Erotic Film Festival, rated 1999, for explicit sexual content
• Bent, 1997, for a strong scene of graphic sexuality; edited version rated R in 1998 for strong sexuality including explicit sexual dialogue, some brutal violence, language and drug use
• Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, 1970, originally rated X; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1990
• Bizarre, rated 1991
• Black and White, 1999; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, graphic language, some violence and drug use
• Bliss, 1997; edited version rated R for graphic sex scenes with strong sex-related dialogue, and for language
• Blonde Emmanuelle in 3-D, rated 1990
• The Boondock Saints, 1999; edited version rated R for strong violence, language and sexual content
• Boxing Helena, 1993; re-rated R on appeal for two scenes of strong sexuality and language
• Boys Don't Cry, 1999; edited version rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use
• Broken English, 1996, for explicit sexuality; edited version rated R for language, violence and some drug content

C

• The Canterbury Tales (I Racconti di Canterbury), 1972, originally rated X in 1979; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1991
• Centerspread, rated 1990 for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue
• Clerks., 1994; re-rated R on appeal for extensive use of extremely explicit sex-related dialogue
• The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, 1989 (rated 1990); edited version rated R
• The Cooler, 2003; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, violence, language and some drug use
• Comfortably Numb, 1995, for scenes of graphic drug use and some explicit sexuality
• Crash, 1996, for numerous explicit sex scenes; edited version rated R for accident gore, some graphic language and aberrant sexual content

D

• Damage, 1992; edited version rated R for strong sexuality, and for language
• Dangerous Game, 1993; edited version rated R for pervasively strong language, explicit sexuality, and drug use
• Dark Obsession (Diamond Skulls), 1989 (rated 1991); edited version rated R for strong sensuality and for language
• Dead and Breakfast, 2005; edited version rated R for strong horror violence/gore and language
• Dead Presidents, 1995; edited version rated R for strong graphic violence, language, a sex scene and some drug use
• Delta of Venus, 1995; originally rated R in 1994 for strong erotic content; edited version rated NC-17 in 1995 for explicit sexuality
• Dice Rules, 1991
• A Dirty Shame, 2004, for pervasive sexual content; edited home entertainment version rated R in 2005 for pervasive strong crude sexual content, including fetishes
• The Dreamers, 2003 (rated 2004), for explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and graphic nudity, language and some drug use
• The Dreamlife of Angels, 1999; edited version rated R for some strong sexuality

E

• Easyriders Video Magazine #13 (video release), rated 1992 for pervasive sexuality and graphic sexual dialogue
• Emmanuelle: The Joys of a Woman (Emmanuelle 2), 1975, originally rated X in 1976; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1991
• Erotic Nights, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and sex-related dialogue
• Erotique, 1994; rated R in 1998 for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and some language
• The Evil Dead, 1981 (rated 1994), for substantial graphic horror violence and gore
• Extreme Justice, 1993; re-rated R on appeal for strong graphic violence, language, and for a scene of sexuality

F

• Fantasy, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for strong sensuality and language
• Fantasies for Couples, 1991; edited version rated R for sensuality and nudity
• Female Trouble, 1974 (rated 1999), for explicit sexuality and nudity
• Fire on the Amazon 1993; edited version rated R for strong language, areas of strong violence and a scene of strong sexuality
• Flesh Gordon Meets the Cosmic Cheerleaders, 1989 (rated 1991)
• Freeway, 1996; edited version rated R for strong lurid violence and sexual dialogue, some sexual situations, drug content and language

G

• Games of Love, rated 1991
• Gettin' Even, 2005, for explicit sexual content including pervasive nudity
• Glam, 2001 (rated 1998), for a scene of explicit sexuality and some sexual dialogue
• La Grande bouffe, 1973, originally rated X; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1998 for some explicit sexuality
• Gummo, 1997; edited version rated R for pervasive depiction of anti-social behavior of juveniles, including violence, substance abuse, sexuality and language

H

• Happiness, 1999 (rating surrendered)
• Hell's Belles, 1997, for pervasive sexuality and nudity
• Henry & June, 1990 (first title to be rated NC-17)
• High Tension (Haute tension), 2003; edited version rated R in 2005 for graphic bloody killings, terror, sexual content and language.
• The Hills Have Eyes, 2006, for strong gruesome violence including rape, terror, and strong language; edited version rated R for strong gruesome violence and terror throughout, and for language.
• The Hottest Bid, 1995, for strong graphic sexuality

I

• Ice Cold in Phoenix, 2004; later rated R for strong sexuality, brutal violence and language
• In the Cold of the Night, 1990; edited version rated R
• In the Realm of the Senses (Ai no corrida), 1976 (rated 1991)
• Inserts, 1975, originally rated X; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1996 for explicit sexuality
• Inside Deep Throat, 2005, for explicit sexual content; edited version rated R for strong sexuality including graphic images, nudity and dialogue
• Intent to Kill, 1993 (rated 1992), for extreme violence

J

no titles

K

• Kalifornia, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, and for sexuality and language
• Kids, 1995 (rating surrendered)
• Kika, 1993 (rated 1994, rating surrendered)
• Killing Zoe, 1994; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, plentiful drug use and a sex scene

L

• L.I.E., 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexual content involving teens, language and brief violence
• Last Tango in Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi), 1972, originally rated X in 1973; edited version rated R in 1981; edited version rated X in 1982; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1997 for some explicit sexual content
• La ley del deseo, (Law of Desire), 1987 (rated 2005), for a scene of explicit sexual content
• Leonora, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and language
• Love and Human Remains, 1995; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, language, violence and some drug use
• The Lover, 1992, re-rated R on appeal for graphic and explicit sexuality
• The Loves of Lady Chatterly, rated 1992

M

• Ma mère, 2004 (rated 2005) for strong and aberrant sexual content; edited version rated R for strong aberrant sexuality, some language and violent images
• Man Bites Dog (C'est arrivé près de chez vous), 1992 (rated 1993) for strong graphic violence
• Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence, 1993; edited version rated R for strong violence, language, and some drug content
• Matador, 1986 (rated 2005) for aberrant sexuality including violence
• Mercy, 1999, originally rated R; edited version rated NC-17 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for language, drug use, and perverse sexual behavior including violence and nudity
• Midnight Woman, 1990
• Modern Love, rated 1991
• Myriam, rated 1991

N

• Nothin' Goes Right, 1988, originally rated X in 1989; rating symbol changed to NC-17 in 1991

O

• Orgazmo, 1997 (rated 1998), for explicit sexual content and dialogue

P

• Paris, France, 1993 (rated 1994), for explicit sexual content
• Peepshow, rated 1990
• Phantasm III, 1993; edited version rated R for violence and gore, and for language and sexuality
• Pink Flamingos, 1972, 1997 re-release rated NC-17 for a wide range of perversions in explicit detail
• Play Thing, rated 1990
• Poison, 1991, originally rated NC-17 for explicit sexuality; edited version rated R for sensuality, strong language, and sexual violence.
• Predator 2 , 1990, originally rated NC-17 for Strong graphic violence and gore edited version rated R for considerable mayhem, gore , graphic violence vulgarity and drug use [1]

.

Q

no titles

R

• Radio Active, rated 1990
• Rated X, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, drug use, language and some violence
• Razor Blade Smile, 1999; edited version rated R for horror violence and gore, sexuality, language and some drug content
• Requiem for a Dream, 2000 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2001 for intense depiction of drug addiction, graphic sexuality, strong language and some graphic violence
• Romantic Memoirs (Baksmälla), 1973, rated 1990
• Romper Stomper, 1993; edited version rated R in 1994 for brutality and violence, sexuality and language
• The Rules of Attraction, 2002; edited version rated R for strong sexual content, drug use, language and violent images

S

• Santa Sangre, 1989, originally rated R in 1990 for bizarre, graphic violence and sensuality, and for drug content; rated NC-17 in 1991 for several scenes of extremely explicit violence (rating surrendered)
• Saw, 2004, for strong graphic violence; edited version rated R for strong grisly violence and language Following the Sundance Film Festival it was edited for an R rating for wide theatrical release
• Saw III, 2006; edited version rated R for strong grisly violence and gore, sequences of terror and torture, nudity and language.
• The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet, 1970 (rated 1990)
• Secretaries, 2006, for pervasive graphic sexuality and nudity
• Seduced: Pretty When You Cry, 2001; edited version rated R for strong perverse sexuality, drug use, language and violence
• The Seduction of Angela, 1991; edited version rated R in 1992 for sensuality, nudity and some sex-related dialogue
• The Shadowed Mind, rated 1991
• Showgirls, 1995, for nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, and for some graphic language and sexual violence; edited version rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, language, a rape scene and drug use
• Showgirls: Sneak Preview (promotional short for Showgirls), 1995, for strong sexual images
• Softly From Paris: Series I, rated 1990
• Softly From Paris: Series II, rated 1990
• Softly From Paris: Series III, rated 1990
• Softly From Paris: Series IV, rated 1990
• Softly From Paris: Series V, rated 1990
• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, 1999; edited version rated R for pervasive vulgar language and crude sexual humor, and for some violent images.
• Spirit of the Night, 1994; edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language
• Stone Cold, 1991; edited version rated R for strong violence and language, and for sensuality
• The Story of O (Histoire d'O), 1975, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 2002 for sexual content
• The Story of O, rated 2001 (rating surrendered)

T

• Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde, 1993, rated R on appeal for strong graphic violence, strong language and sexuality
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, 2006; edited version rated R for strong horror violence/gore, language, and some sexual content.[2]
• This Film Is Not Yet Rated, 2005 (rating surrendered), for some graphic sexual content
• Thomas in Love (Thomas est amoureux), 2000, rated 2001 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 2002 for strong sexuality and language
• Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (¡Átame!), 1990, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 (rating surrendered)
• Tokyo Decadence (Topâzu), 1992 (rated 1993) for strong, explicit, sado-masochistic sexuality.
• Tower of Terror, 1992 for extreme horror violence.
• Trois, 2000, originally rated R for strong sexuality, language and some violence; edited version rated NC-17 for some explicit sexuality
• Tropic of Cancer, 1970, originally rated X; re-rated NC-17 in 1992
• Two Girls and a Guy, 1997; edited version rated R for a strong sex scene, strong language and sexual dialogue, and for a violent image; edited version rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexuality
• Twogether, 1993; edited version rated R for strong sexuality and language

U

• The Ugly, 1998 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for gruesome gory murders, language and a scene of sexuality

V

no titles

W

• Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes, 2003, originally rated R for strong sexual content, language, drug use and some violent images; edited video version rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content
• When Night Is Falling, 1995 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R in 1996 for strong sexuality and some language
• Where the Truth Lies, 2005 (rating surrendered), for some explicit sexuality
• Whipped (movie), 2000; edited version rated R for strong sexual content and language
• Whore, 1990; edited version rated R for strong sexual situations and dialogue, and for some violence
• Wide Sargasso Sea, 1993 (rated 1992); edited version rated R in 1993 for strong sexuality
• The Wild Bunch, 1969, originally rated R; re-rated NC-17 in 1993, but reverted to R on appeal
• WVAG in New York City, 2001, for graphic sexuality (short film)

X

no titles

Y

no titles

Z

• Zandalee, rated 1990 and 1991 (rating surrendered); edited version rated R for strong sensuality, sexual dialogue, and language

See also

• MPAA film rating system
• X-rated