 The film caused huge controversy in the UK after it was passed with  an uncut A rating on account of the violence and rape implied in  the story, leading to critic Dilys Powell (qv) stating that the  film be "branded with a "D" certificate for disgusting". This led to  various councils banning the film completely and politicians  demanding an investigation into the running of the BBFC, and censor  Sir Sidney Harris was forced to issue an apology for having "failed  to protect the public".