The BBFC has classified the video of THE DRILLER KILLER as '18' with cuts.
This is the first time that this 1979 Abel Ferrara film has been submitted to the BBFC. The film was never issued theatrically in the UK but became notorious as one of the first 'video nasties' when released in an uncut version on tape in the early 1980s. This uncut version was at that time the subject of a number of successful prosecutions under the Obscene Publications Act. The version which the BBFC has now classified has been pre-cut by the distributor to remove the more extreme and unacceptable images.
The Board has concluded that in this present cut version the film is unexceptional compared with many popular modern horror films and has lost much of its power to shock over the years. The film tells the story of a young artist, played by the director, whose artistic and personal problems lead him to vent his frustrations on the world by assailing various individuals with a power drill. The main problem with the original video version was the bloody killings perpetrated with the drill, which formed a large part of the video's original marketing campaign. These have been significantly reduced. There is little terrorisation or suspense in the film. The violence is for the most part now dimly lit, in long shot and obscured by camera positioning.
The Board has concluded that this cut version of THE DRILLER KILLER is unlikely to produce any harmful effects, either upon its audience or on society more generally.
Andreas Whittam Smith - President
Robin Duval - Director