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Does Blockbuster Edit Their Movies?

I have heard reports that Blockbuster edits [censors] some of their movies. Some really "spicy" R-rated movies supposedly have some scenes cut to tone them down. Also, I was told that in their version of the movie, TITANIC, the scene in which Leonardo DiCaprio sketches Kate Winslet has the nudity cut out, and this movie just has a PG-13 rating. Obviously, any alteration in a movie's rental release would have to be approved by the film's distributor.

So, fact, or urban myth? I am just starting to rent movies again, and I need to know for sure. And please, let's not get into a Blockbuster bashing!
fatparrot
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Not true. Think for a minute. Do you really think Blockbuster has the time and money to edit, burn, and package millions of copies of DVD's to put in their stores; and have them available the same day the regular copies are released? Think of the cost. And not inform the public they are doing so...

Now having said that there is a Morman group in Utah that has been fighting in court for the right to do just that; edit movies so they confirm to Morman family values.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I have seen several articles in reputable journals that state that Blockbuster DOES edit their movies. Apparently this began in the religiously conservative areas of the country, but is now a fairly standard practice with this chain. I prefer Hollywood Video to Blockbuster, but have given up on both of them and now rent almost exclusively from Netflix (which has a huge catalog, and does not edit their films).
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Blockbuster does offer some edited versions of movies, but they are from the studios, not a Blockbuster creation. It would be illegal copywrite infringment for them to do it. Which is why that Morman group is in court.

Eyes Wide Shut is available in R or NC-17. It was also offered this way to theater owners. A lot of theaters won't carry NC-17 movies, but more for money reasons.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Yes, I was unclear in my wording. What I read is that Blockbuster has their movies edited for objectionable content by the studio(s) BEFORE they are burned to CD.
fatparrot OP
1,314 posts
 
Sugarbrie, I meant that the editing was done by the distributors FOR Blockbuster, and not BY Blockbuster. I am not talking about cutting a rental release to get an "R" rated version from an "NC-17" film. I'm talking about cutting scenes to "clean-up" "R" or even "PG-13" films. Please see Sdcampbell's posts.

Netflix is not an option for me, since most of my rentals are spur of the moment. Unfortunately, a nearby rental store has only a limited selection of DVD's. So how can I be sure if other chains are not editing as well?

I feel that if editing is done, the DVD's should clearly be marked "edited for content" as most TV stations now do before running a movie.
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