THE WOMAN IN BLACK [Uncut version]

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is a film version of the well known ghost story by Susan Hill, which has also been adapted for the stage. It follows the story of a young lawyer who travels to a remote rural village where he discovers a vengeful ghost responsible for the deaths of local children. The film was originally classified '12A' for cinema release and '12' for video release after visual cuts, visual darkening and sound reductions were made in a number of scenes. This is the uncut version of the film, restoring the cuts and reductions originally made, and has been classified '15' for strong supernatural threat and horror.

There are a number of scenes of supernatural horror and threat in which the ghost of the 'woman in black', as well as the ghosts of her victims, appear to and threaten the central character and others. The BBFC's Guidelines at '12A'/'12' state 'Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, providing disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained'. In this uncut version of the film, the scenes of threat and horror are stronger and more sustained than in the '12A'/'12' version and therefore more appropriately classified at '15'. The film includes a scene in which the ghost of the 'woman in black' hangs herself from a noose, including sight and sound of her neck breaking. It also includes a scene in which a young girl smashes an oil lamp, causing herself to burst into flames. She is subsequently seen walking forwards, engulfed in fire. Both these scenes were originally reduced in order to achieve a '12A' classification at the cinema and a '12' on video. However, the uncut versions of these scenes are more appropriately classified at '15' where the Guidelines state 'Strong threat and horror are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised'.

There is also a scene, which was included in the '12A'/'12' version of the film, in which a girl coughs up blood after ingesting caustic soda. The Guidelines at '12A'/'12' state 'There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood'. The coughing up of blood is relatively brief, albeit shocking, and the result of poisoning rather than violence. The film also contains repeated verbal and visual references to a young boy drowning in a muddy swamp, to a mother dying in childbirth and some dated references to 'harlot'.