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Flash Gordon gets warning for 'potentially offensive' Ming the Merciless
BBC ^

Posted on 12/22/2020 6:52:16 AM PST by TigerClaws

More old movies could have warnings added about racism and stereotypes, after UK film censors said Ming the Merciless in 1980's Flash Gordon was "dubious if not outright offensive". The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) added a warning about "discriminatory stereotypes" for the film's recent re-release. Ming was of East Asian appearance and was played by Sweden's Max Von Sydow.

Next year, the BBFC will examine how to handle stereotypes in other old films.

The organisation gave Flash Gordon a 12A rating for its reissue - more strict than the A rating it was given on its original release, which is roughly equivalent to a PG today.

BBFC senior policy officer Matt Tindall said that was because the outdated portrayal of Flash Gordon's nemesis, as well as some violence and bad language.

He said: "Ming the Merciless is coded as an East Asian character due to his hair and make-up, but he's played by a Swedish actor in the film, he's played by Max Von Sydow, which I don't think is something that would happen if this were a modern production, and is something that we're also aware that viewers may find dubious if not outright offensive. "The character of Ming of course comes from the Flash Gordon comic strips from the 1930s and the serials, and let's just say attitudes towards the acceptability of discriminatory racial stereotypes have moved on considerably since then, and rightly so of course." 'Not acceptable to modern audiences'

Earlier this year, Gone With The Wind had a warning added on US streaming service HBO Max saying the 1939 film "denies the horrors of slavery".

And the BBFC upgraded 1936 musical Show Boat from a U to a PG for "stereotypes, language and behaviour that are not appropriate at U under our current guidelines".

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: ming
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1 posted on 12/22/2020 6:52:16 AM PST by TigerClaws
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To: TigerClaws

When a SJW tells you something offends them just smile and say: “You’re welcome!” and then ignore them.


2 posted on 12/22/2020 6:54:37 AM PST by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
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*


3 posted on 12/22/2020 6:55:46 AM PST by PMAS (All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing)
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To: TigerClaws

Faggotization of the world continues apace.


4 posted on 12/22/2020 6:56:33 AM PST by Sirius Lee (They intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live and live like you are prepping for eternal life)
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To: TigerClaws

Hmmm. I thought it was “Flesh Gordon” they were talking about...:)


5 posted on 12/22/2020 6:57:14 AM PST by rlmorel ("I’d rather enjoy a risky freedom than a safe servitude." Robby Dinero, USMC Veteran, Gym Owner)
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To: All

coming soon to tom and jerry, where jerry will be euthanized for being in black face.


6 posted on 12/22/2020 6:58:52 AM PST by VAFreedom (Wuhan Pneumonia-Made by CCP, Copyright Xi Jingping)
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To: TigerClaws

now we’re concerned that fictional characters could be offensive to people from other planets.


7 posted on 12/22/2020 6:59:00 AM PST by JohnBrowdie
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To: TigerClaws

Has anybody see ‘FLESH Gordon’?..................


8 posted on 12/22/2020 6:59:35 AM PST by Red Badger ( “The goal of socialism is communism.”... Vladimir Lenin)
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To: TigerClaws

Buster Crabbe was not available for comment.


9 posted on 12/22/2020 7:04:32 AM PST by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: rlmorel

lol....I saw that flick at a midnite movie back in the mid 70s.

I probably need to buy the DVD just to re-live my younger days.


10 posted on 12/22/2020 7:06:48 AM PST by texanyankee
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To: Red Badger

I did back in the 70’s at a drive-in theater.


11 posted on 12/22/2020 7:07:31 AM PST by White Lives Matter
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To: Red Badger

I saw it at the midnite movie! Loved it at the time.


12 posted on 12/22/2020 7:07:52 AM PST by texanyankee
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To: TigerClaws

Next they’ll go after “The Wrath of Khan”


13 posted on 12/22/2020 7:08:43 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: TigerClaws

The baddest bad guy in the universe CANNOT be offensive in any way, but you have to watch kiddie porn via your Netfux account and gratuitis sex and violence on every channel, and the enslavement and destruction of our nation and way of life via the internet but an offensive bad guy in a 25 year and 75 year old movie?????

WE HAVE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THIS !!!


14 posted on 12/22/2020 7:11:50 AM PST by Delta 21 (Get off your ass and earn it!)
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To: TigerClaws

Good grief... We’re definitely in the midst of a pandemic, but it’s a mental health pandemic.

We’re at a point where the things folks find offensive REALLY IS a Monty Python skit.


15 posted on 12/22/2020 7:27:15 AM PST by AnglePark
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To: TigerClaws

I enjoyed those films when I was a kid. I recently found them on Youtube. Fun, and not offensive at all!


16 posted on 12/22/2020 7:29:13 AM PST by I want the USA back (I fear my government much much much much much much much much much much more than a virus from china.)
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To: texanyankee

We, my (then) new wife and I, saw it at a DRIVE IN!............


17 posted on 12/22/2020 7:30:27 AM PST by Red Badger ( “The goal of socialism is communism.”... Vladimir Lenin)
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To: TigerClaws

18 posted on 12/22/2020 7:30:39 AM PST by EEGator
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To: TigerClaws

I wouldn’t say the 80s movie is so much, since it’s Max as the character. But the original serials yeah, he’s pretty seriously based on Fu Manchu, who is a hardcore racist Yellow Peril character.


19 posted on 12/22/2020 7:34:54 AM PST by discostu (Like a dog being shown a card trick )
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To: Red Badger

Yes, it was a “Midnight Movie” of the ‘80s. For some reason, I thought those were great.


20 posted on 12/22/2020 7:35:58 AM PST by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper)
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