 Although the film was never officially banned in the UK, the video  release was continually delayed on the recommendation of chief  censor James Ferman (qv) who advised Warner Brothers against  submitting the film for a UK video certificate. A possible 1988  release was also vetoed by Ferman who cited recent cases of child  abuse as the reason. It was finally released on video fully uncut in  June 1999, five months after Fermans retirement as UK censor.