Censors block film release

The British Board of Film Classification has taken the rare step of refusing outright to classify a new film for release.

The Human Centipede II was rejected for DVD with a warning that the horror movie could inflict psychological harm upon viewers.

Normally the examiners will only suggest cuts to even the most troubling films so that they can be passed with an 18 rating.

But examiners found that the film, a sequel to last year's 18-rated Human Centipede, about a mad scientist who grafts three kidnap victims together, was "rotten" all the way through.

The BBFC said: "There is little attempt to portray any of the victims in the film as anything other than objects to be brutalised, degraded and mutilated for the amusement and arousal of the central character, as well as for the pleasure of the audience."