European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A on film boards chopping Block by Meridith Winder . Bureau americans living in great Britain find plenty of similarities with the United states thanks to the common language. A other than the obligatory _ complaint about the weather and driving on the opposite Side of the Road americans and britons enjoy Many of the same pursuits including going to movies and renting films from video shops. But when americans sit Down to watch those movies a major difference can surface. The movies May be rated differently than in the states. Videos May be edited to reflect tastes in the United kingdom. Some might Call such editing censorship. The United states and great Britain have organizations that classify or rate movies. While the British ratings arc basically governed by Law the americans use a voluntary movie rating system. A in the states anyone can watch a movie a said Xandra Barr assistant to the director for the British Board of film classification. A Over Here if a movie is restricted for children under 12 years old then they can to attend whether or not a Parent accompanies  under British Law films and videos May be edited a for the Protection of children and the classification system was changed in 1982 to provide Clear information to parents. The american View is a to offer to parents some Advance information about movies so that parents can decide what movies they want their children to see or not to see a Barry said. The Job of viewing films and videos to make sure they conform to British taste Falls to the Board. The Board has six classifications for movies and an additional one for videos. A each film is treated As an individual work a Barry said. A we try to classify the movies to fit a certain category. The actual editing of films or videos is Only used As a last  although the Board has the Power to order scenes edited from movies the ultimate authority rests with City District or county councils. A they May overrule any of the Board s decisions on Appeal passing films we reject Banning films we have passed and even waiving cuts instituting new ones or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction a states a memorandum issued by the Board. Another spokesman for the Board pointed out that when movies fall into certain classifications under the British system movie companies have been known to ask for cuts so that movies can be viewed by a larger audience. A for instance after viewing a movie we May classify it As having a �?~15�?T rating a said the spokesman who requested anonymity. A that limits viewing to those 15 and older. The company May then come to us and ask what cuts can be made to have the movie rated As pm. We Tell them. They make tic cuts and everyone is  the spokesman added that most movies receive some form of editing especially when they come out on video. A under our Laws for decency child Protection and such Well have scenes edited out in a Long list of movies a he said. A we routinely Cut out scenes showing rape sadism extreme violence or animals actually being Hurt. Any explicit horror special effects arc also edited. These scenes arc a bit too much for the  films that were snipped included Willow the witches Batman Hill Raiser tango and Cash Highlander and the recently released Robin Hood. Examples of editing the beheading scenes in o % Highlander and Robin Hood never made it into English Heaters. The american system is run by the motion picture association of America with five classifications. A the movie Industry. No longer approves or Distaj a prove s the Content of a film Quot wrote Jack Valenti president and chief executive officer of the motion picture association. A we. Now see our primary task As giving Advance cautionary warnings to parents so that parents could make the decision about the movie going of their Young  besides editing the Content of movies titles May be altered. That can cause confusion for americans travelling Between Britain and the states. A a that a usually done by the movie companies a Barry said. Quot if a particular movie Isnit doing Well in the states sometimes  change the title hoping it docs better Over  Barry and Valenti pointed out that they rely on Public input to ensure they arc doing what the Public wants. A if we got it completely right All the time then something a wrong a Barry said. Robin Hood scenes such As Alan Rickman a fight for Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio appear in English Heaters but not the scenes where Heads  11, 1991 sunday Page 11