Official BBFC report
FIGHT CLUB.
This work was classified "18" on 09 November,1999.
When classified the work had an approved running time of 138m 56s.
The work had a submitted running time of 139m 0s.
To obtain this category cuts of 0m 4s were required.
Justifications
FIGHT CLUB
This film has been classified '18' for cinema release to adult audiences, after cuts. Concerns have been raised in advance of the film's public release in Britain about its violent content, the encouragement it may give to the illegal sport of bare-knuckle fighting, and what has been perceived as its generally 'antisocial' effect.
The violent content of Fight Club is rather less than many other films which have passed entirely without public or media concern. In particular, the scenes of fighting occupy only a small part of overall screen time. Therefore, audiences who expect a large quantity of fist fighting and graphic violence are likely to be disappointed.
Nevertheless, there are two scenes in which the Board judged that the violence was excessively sustained and in conflict with the concern expressed in the BBFC Guidelines about taking pleasure in pain or sadism. In both scenes there was an indulgence in the excitement of beating a defenceless man's face into a pulp.
The Board required that cuts be made in each case. The Board has also looked very closely at other elements which might be thought to provide dangerously instructive information or to encourage anti-social behaviour. Such 'instructional detail' as there is is either misleading or unlikely to be harmful to an individual or society.
The film as a whole is - quite clearly - critical and sharply parodic of the amateur fascism which in part it portrays. Its central theme of male machismo (and the anti-social behaviour that flows from it) is emphatically rejected by the central character in the concluding reels.
The Board recognizes that there will be arguments on both sides about the merits or possible effects of the film, but is satisfied that, in its classified form, Fight Club will be enjoyed by a great many viewers without harm either to themselves or to anyone else.
BBFC violence policy
VIOLENCE
The Board must pay attention to the public debate and concern surrounding the issue of media violence as well as academic research from both psychological and sociological perspectives.
We have found that the public's response is contradictory: violent films are very popular, whilst the view that there is too much violence in the media is also strongly supported.
Our treatment of cinematic violence must consider its potential impact on the audience. The CJPOA amendment, requires the Board to pay particular attention to possible effects on potential underage viewers. We therefore consider any encouragement or glorification of violence.
Contextual arguments are balanced against details in a number of probing questions:
What is the overall attitude of the film towards violence?
What is the dramatic context of the violence?
Is the violence perpetuated by the hero or villain?
Are there consequences or rewards for the violence?
How is the violence treated?
-is there undue emphasis on weapons?
-is it prolonged?
-are there lots of close-ups?
-is it stylised e.g. slow motion, soundtrack, editing, and do these techniques accentuate the images or restrain their impact?
How much do we see of:
-Process, e.g. blows, bullet impacts, blood spurts, etc?
-Effects, e.g. injuries, bodies, forensic details etc?
What is the viewer's relationship to what is shown?
-Do we identify with victim or aggressor?
-Are we repelled or excited by the violence?
-What is the power relationship between victim and aggressor?
Is there an element of torture/sadism?
Does the amendment to the Video Recordings Act apply? (Harm to viewer or to society through viewer's behaviour?)
We must also consider complex philosophical issues, and potential effects such as desensitisation or fear, as well as the more obvious concerns about encouraging violent behaviour.
The Board debates issues such as whether more 'sanitised' versions of violence, are in fact more harmful (as some American researchers imply), because they do not show sufficiently the harmful consequences of violence.
Nearly always, however, it is the film which encourages the viewer to take pleasure in the pain and suffering of the victim that raises the most objections.