Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Censor Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 7, 2021

“Censor” brings viewers to a time when the British Board of Film Classification went to war with “Video Nasties,” or graphic genre offerings that were subjected to intense scrutiny, edits, and even rejection. Co-writer/director Prano Bailey-Bond has something original and wonderfully specific with this idea, but she’s not interested in pursuing the numbing experiences of a censor, aiming to make a horror movie with the premise, which isn’t nearly as compelling as a study of a moral high ground and extreme filmmaking content.

“Censor” explores the unraveling of Enid (Niamh Algar), who’s in charge of screening violent movies, finding one title triggering something within, connected to the case of her missing sister. A mystery is introduced, but Bailey-Bond intends to pay tribute to vicious Video Nasty content, trying to generate a brain bleeder instead, playing with formats, aspect ratios, and bathing the picture in Argento Colors to make a genre celebration, and one fans of the rough stuff will undoubtedly enjoy.

Censor Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation leads with color, as the production pays close attention to lighting to set a mood of agitation. Greens are dominant, offering a flatter look for period details, while moodier washes of blues and reds are utilized. Skintones are natural. Fine detail is strong with close-ups, offering distinct skin surfaces. Office decoration and equipment are also defined. Delineation is satisfactory.

Censor Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix presents crisp dialogue exchanges and sharp sound effects, exploring horror additions and mechanical operation. Scoring is clear and defined, offering circular engagement, along with lively atmospherics. Low-end isn't challenged, but violence is heavier, along with more aggressive music cues.

Censor Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Prano Bailey-Bond and cinematographer Annika Summerson.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Kat Ellinger.

• "Freedom of the Image: The Origins of the Video Nasties Hysteria" (32:21, HD) is a video essay by Chris O'Neill.

• "My Nasty Memories" (33:01, HD) is an interview with film historian David Gregory, who also owns Severin Films. Gregory recalls his own experiences with the home video explosion in England during the early 1980s, and discusses many of the graphic movies that were targeted during this era.

• "Precision on 35mm" (8:35, HD) is a video conference interview with cinematographer Annika Summerson. She identifies the technical achievements of "Censor," focusing on the production's use of film to respect the era of moviemaking it's depicting.

• "Sense of Panic" (5:38, HD) is a video conference interview with composer Emile Levienaise-Farrouch, who describe her approach to "Censor," which included major influences from genre entertainment of the day.

• "Bits the Censors Cut Out" (5:13, HD) is video conference interview with editor Mark Towns, who details his creative approach to "Censor," using bits of Video Nasties productions in the picture, and he also highlights deleted scenes.

• "What Protects the Censor from Losing Control?" (20:23, HD) is a video conference interview with director Prano Bailey- Bond and actress Niamh Algar. Production origins are discussed, with Bailey-Bond intrigued by the experience of a film censor, also looking for an actress capable of playing such a stressful part. The helmer's horror history is examined, growing intrigued with the extremity of the genre. Technical achievements, performances, and tone is also analyzed.

• "In Terms of Light and Shade" (12:27, HD) is a video conference interview with sound designer Tim Harrison. He discusses his collaboration with director Prano Bailey-Bond, specific Video Nasties references, and his use of the soundscape to examine different realities of the film.

• "Nasty" (15:47, HD) is a short film by Prano Bailey-Bond.

• "Ban the Sadist Videos!" (91:32, SD) is a 2006 documentary about the Video Nasty years, charting the rise of censorship and exploring the titles involved in the controversy.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:39, HD) is included.

Censor Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The film eventually wants to bathe in madness, but the routine of a censor, exposed to endless cruelty, is where the feature is most interesting, exploring a different perspective when it comes to the movie business. Bailey-Bond aims to be a bit more formulaic with her story, going to familiar dark places and blurred realities when she has a perfect set-up for a more frightening psychological study with real-world stakes.