'Hannibal'
SYDNEY -- Those under 18 who didn't catch "Hannibal" in its first week in Australia are out of luck.
Late Thursday, the Office of Film & Literature Classification upgraded its rating for Ridley Scott's film from MA (over 15) to R (over 18), with the new rating going into effect Friday, as the pic enters its second week.
That followed a decision by the Classification Review Board upholding an appeal against the initial rating lodged by Attorney General Darryl Williams. He was responding to a call by Queensland's Labor Minister Judy Spence (who is responsible for censorship in that state) to change the MA rating to R.
'Violence' tag
The film's advertising now carries a consumer advice line referring to "high-impact violence."
"Hannibal" grossed a hearty $A6 million ($3.3 million) in its first week on 302 screens.
UIP managing director Mike Selwyn said of the higher rating, "It's disappointing after so many people have seen the film. The public outcry had completely vanished after it opened. The classification system is supposed to reflect broad community standards."
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