A: Morally unobjectionableAt some point, the B and C ratings were combined into a new O rating for "morally offensive" films.
A-I: Suitable for all audiencesB: Morally objectionable in part
A-II: Suitable for adults and adolescents
A-III: Suitable for adults only
A-IV: For adults with reservations
C: Condemned by the Legion of Decency
The difference between a great but disturbing film "suitable for adults" (A-III or A-IV) and a film that got an "O" for Offensive, was that the "O" film used sex and violence in a patently exploitative way, i.e. to inflame sadistic or prurient interest. A film could win approval, though, if it treated sex and violence-related themes in a way reasonably related to the honesty of the narrative, and in a non "sexploitation", non-psycho-sicko way.
It may raise a smile to see what was "banned" (awarded an "O" )40 or 50 years ago, but keep in mind that public entertainment had not turned into a total sewer at that time, and mothers and fathers were generally not willing to treat their children to sexual entertainment at a visual bordello. The League's ratings had the VERY widespread approval of Protestants, Catholics and Jews, including of course people highly aware of the sex-and-violence content to be found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Which could have been depicted with approval, of course, if handled in a non S&M, non-crotch-grabbing way.
“At some point, the B and C ratings were combined into a new O rating for “morally offensive” films.”
I take it that was only 1978 to 1980, when they shut down the Legion of Decency.
Most of the really egregious bad calls happened in the late 60s and 70s, at least in my opinion. I mean, ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’?! Come on. I also though there was some devil/pagan themed movies that a actually showed Christianity in pretty cool light, like Exorcist and the Wicker Man.
Freegards