• BRIAN STORM

By D+CFilm, on Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Torbay Council is to screen The Life Of Brian for the first time this weekend – despite banning it some 28 years ago.

The comedy is to be shown in Torquay on Sunday, September 28 after it won an online poll as part of the English Riviera International Comedy Film Festival.

In 1980 Torbay Council voted five to one that the AA (15) certificate was too lenient and that it should be given an X rating when shown in Torbay.

However, at that time, distributors stipulated that the flick couldn’t be shown unless it was unedited and carried the original certificate. This effectively banned it from cinemas around Torbay.

After consulting legal boffins the council declared the previous ruling redundant, paving the way for what’s thought to be the first council organised showing of the film in the Bay since its X rating was imposed.

Unsurprisingly, Mayor Nick Bye was quick to offer a movie-lover’s perspective. “I haven’t seen the film,” he told the Herald Express, “but I welcome its showing on Sunday.”

The mayor can find out more about The Life Of Brian and the festival on the ICFF website.

Posted by Thin White Duke