Sex and the Censors (1991) (TV)

Derek Malcolm: I think Death Wish II is a pretty retrograde film, a film which might very well have nasty repercussions sometimes of silly people who go to see it. I think sensible people probably wouldn't even go to see it. Now, the question is: should it be actually censored or should we make such a fuss about it in the newspapers and in the media and with people lobbying that in fact that particular filmmaker doesn't make another film like that again? I think if we were in a really adult democracy, it would be better to do the latter. Better to shout and say this is awful than to actually have it cut. Now, the censor... decided that it ought to be cut and I have every sympathy with him about the film. I wouldn't have cut it, I'd have burnt it. But, on the other hand, I do think freedom is really very, very important. People should be able to see this kind of film; they should be able to judge it for themselves.