SAVAGES

SAVAGES is a US drama-thriller directed by Oliver Stone and based on the novel by Don Winslow. It tells the story of a pair of Californian marijuana growers and dealers who become embroiled in a spiralling conflict with a brutal Mexican drug cartel. It is rated 15 for strong language, violence, drug use and sex.

The film contains some scenes of strong violence, including grainy video footage showing people being threatened by members of the Mexican cartel and subsequent sight of their severed heads and decapitated bodies. However, the footage is brief and does not linger on detail. Elsewhere in the film, there is sight of people being shot with some sight of blood splatter and a scene in which a man is tortured and set on fire by his cartel colleagues, who believe he has betrayed them. The scenes in question do not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury or contain the strongest gory images. The torture scene in particular is generally shown from a distance with the emphasis being placed on the reactions of onlookers.

There are a number of scenes showing drug use, including the smoking of marijuana joints and the use of bongs. However, the film clearly shows the negative consequences of involvement in the drugs trade and does not encourage or promote drug use, taken as a whole.

There are scenes showing sexual activity between the Californian drug dealers and their mutual girlfriend. These include images of thrusting and some nudity but no strong detail. Later a Mexican woman is briefly seen riding a man during sex, also without strong detail.

In one scene, a woman is shown video footage of a man having sex with her when she was unconscious. However, the scene is brief and little detail is shown.

There is frequent use of strong language throughout.

No-one younger than 15 may see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video or DVD.