Natural Born Killers film controversy
The controversy surrounding the film "Natural Born Killers" primarily stems from its provocative portrayal of violence and its commentary on media sensationalism. Released in August 1994, the film, which features a screenplay by David Veloz and Richard Rutowski based on a story by Quentin Tarantino, follows the violent escapades of lovers Mickey and Mallory Knox, who embark on a killing spree while being sensationalized by a tabloid journalist. The film's graphic content led to it receiving an NC-17 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, a designation that significantly limits its distribution and marketing potential. In response to this, director Oliver Stone made edits to the film to secure an R rating, allowing it wider release, as theaters and media outlets frequently shy away from NC-17 films. To address the concerns of fans and provide a version closer to his original vision, Stone later released a "director's cut" with the removed scenes included. The film's exploration of societal violence and media exploitation has sparked discussions about the impact of film on culture and the responsibilities of filmmakers in depicting such themes.
Natural Born Killers film controversy
Type of work: Film
Released: 1994
Director: Oliver Stone (1946- )
Subject matter: An attractive young couple on a murderous roadtrip become media heroes
Significance: Although the film was intended as a satire of the modern American fascination with violence, its makers had to cut its most graphic scenes of violence to prevent its receiving a commercially damaging film rating
In August, 1994, Natural Born Killers, a story by Quentin Tarantino with screenplay by David Veloz and Richard Rutowski, made its controversial debut. This satire of the media’s and society’s obsession with violence followed the travels of two lovers, Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis), on a sensational killing spree. During their reign of terror, a tabloid-television journalist (Robert Downey, Jr.) covers both the couple’s actions and society’s addiction to them. However, the violence within the movie earned it the controversial NC-17 (no children under 17) rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. Director Oliver Stone agreed to make cuts in the movie so that it would achieve an R rating and avoid the economic hardships that an NC-17 rating would cause. Movie theaters and newspapers often refused to show films rated NC-17, and television promotion for such films was prohibited. To compensate for the censoring in theaters, Stone released a “director’s cut” version with the edited scenes back in, which went into video stores in 1995.