Beowulf

[Steel_Wind]

It's always been my understanding that nudity, as far as ratings are concerned, in the US is strictly limited to the following:

1: Exposed male genitalia
2: Exposed female nipples
3: Exposed female crotch (despite the fact that the genitalia is not, technically, visible).

And as long as all of the above is obscured, any amount of nudity will not result in an R rating.

Not saying whether that's right or wrong, just that it's the way I've understood it.

That is more or less true, however, the depiction of nudity which is central to the story and is not presented in a sexualized manner may still result in less than an "R" rating in some circumstances (Schindler's List, say). There are some other examples, (for some reason, I'm thinking Kramer vs. Kramer, but I have no idea if that recollection is even remotely correct) - I but it would be fair to say that those are extraordinary exceptons.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Here is the PG-13 warning:

PG-13:"Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13."
PG-13 is thus a sterner warning to parents to determine for themselves the attendance in particular of their younger children as they might consider some material not suited for them. Parents, by the rating, are alerted to be very careful about the attendance of their under-teenage children. A PG-13 film is one which, in the view of the Rating Board, leaps beyond the boundaries of the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, or other contents, but does not quite fit within the restricted R category. Any drug use content will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. In effect, the PG-13 cautions parents with more stringency than usual to give special attention to this film before they allow their 12-year olds and younger to attend. If nudity is sexually oriented, the film will generally not be found in the PG-13 category. If violence is too rough or persistent, the film goes into the R (restricted) rating. A film's single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, shall initially require the Rating Board to issue that film at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive must lead the Rating Board to issue a film an R rating, as must even one of these words used in a sexual context. These films can be rated less severely, however, if by a special vote, the Rating Board feels that a lesser rating would more responsibly reflect the opinion of American parents. PG-13 places larger responsibilities on parents for their children's moviegoing. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. It cannot, and should not, insert itself in family decisions that only parents can, and should, make. Its purpose is to give prescreening advance informational warnings, so that parents can form their own judgments. PG-13 is designed to make these parental decisions easier for films between PG and R.

 

[Marius Delphus]

I'm simply appalled that this movie did not get an "R" rating for violence and gore. However, there's a small, dead part of me that whispers, "it wouldn't have mattered."

People brought 6- and 8-year-old children into the theatre where I watched "Beowulf." They stayed for the entire thing.

Now, I thought it was pretty good, actually, as a presentation of a "new version" of the Beowulf myth. But I believe the rating undersells the level of violence and gore depicted. I'd actually say that, in comparison, the "nudity" is a complete non-issue.

 

[Asmor]

I'm simply appalled that this movie did not get an "R" rating for violence and gore. However, there's a small, dead part of me that whispers, "it wouldn't have mattered."

People brought 6- and 8-year-old children into the theatre where I watched "Beowulf." They stayed for the entire thing.

Now, I thought it was pretty good, actually, as a presentation of a "new version" of the Beowulf myth. But I believe the rating undersells the level of violence and gore depicted. I'd actually say that, in comparison, the "nudity" is a complete non-issue.

For what it's worth, the CAP Movie Ministry agrees with you, giving Beowulf an "R-13" rating. By their metric, it's the second lowest-rated PG-13 film they've reviewed, earning 7/100 (higher scores = more [Christian] family friendly).

It's an interesting review, and pays attention to completely different things than most reviews do. Fair warning, though, it's a heavily Christian site, so if you decide to discuss their review be careful you don't step on the "no religion" rule of the forum.

 

[Darkwolf71]

Blood and violence is a joke in these times.You can see very nearly the same level on Prime Time Television as in Beowulf. Heroes has shown blood, bones, brains. 24 has violence enough to make any innocent cringe in abject terror. (Note, I watch and enjoy both of these shows.) The many versions of CSI can have crime scenes that can be compared to SAW.

Now, Beowulf was indeed very violent but I'm not really surprised that it didn't get an R rating for that. No, what surprised me was how far they pushed the envelope with the nudity. The scene where Beowulf fights Grendal wasn't so much an action sequence, as it was an attempt to see how close they could come to showing man-parts without actually showing them and how often. It was, IMO, a slap in the face of the ratings board. Grendal's mothers nudity wasn't any better. Every curve, every muscular line was accented. Lack of nipples and genitalia is no 'free pass'. Or, it shouldn't be.

Now, I'm no prude. I found the near-nudity of Beowulf to be humorous, if overdone. And the near-nude form of Jolie should be of interest to any man, but if I had kids... I wouldn't take a 13 year old to see that film. 15, maybe, 16 or 17 sure, whatever. But not 13 or younger.


Anyway, good film. The CG was nice, but not superb. I did notice that the best, most 'real' shots seemed to be of Jolie's character in the close-ups of her face when she was barely moving. The fight scene with the dragon was absolutely amazing.

 

[Asmor]

I think this should provide a new rule of thumb for DMs everywhere... If your D&D game isn't at least as awesome as Beowulf severing his own arm so that he can reach down the dragon's throat and rip out its heart with his bare hand, you need to try harder.

 

[Fenris]

It's always been my understanding that nudity, as far as ratings are concerned, in the US is strictly limited to the following:

1: Exposed male genitalia
2: Exposed female nipples
3: Exposed female crotch (despite the fact that the genitalia is not, technically, visible).

To pick a nit. Female genitalia are visible, indeed must be. All genetalia are, by definition, externally visible. The gonads however are not.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[warren123]

I like Beowulf very much, awesome movie

 

[trancejeremy]

Back in the 80s, you could have some female toplessness (maybe more) in PG movies (this was before PG-13).

For instance, Beastmaster. Tanya Roberts bathing scene, which I think was reprinted in Playboy.

Also Ms. Roberts again in Sheena. And one of the Police Academies.

 

[Asmor]

To pick a nit. Female genitalia are visible, indeed must be. All genetalia are, by definition, externally visible. The gonads however are not.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

I remember reading a story about a woman who was being tried for public indecency for walking around nude. The case was thrown out when the officer was asked to point at her supposedly exposed genitalia, and he could not.

Of course, I never claimed to be a biologist.