I have not been to a movie theatre in years and do not have a TV at home. Almost every movie I watch is on an airplane. But in the era of individual screens and streaming entertainment, should these movies still be edited?
Are Edited Airline Movies Preferred Or Should They Be Unedited?
It’s interesting to me to see different air carriers take different approaches to editing in-flight movies. While on one end of the extreme, you have Saudia blurring kissing scenes and fairly modest blouses (by Western standards), United Airlines has taken a different approach and no longer appears to edit most movies.
I try to be mindful of the movies that I watch because I do not want to pollute (and I think that word is appropriate) my mind with gratuitous violence or sex and nudity that usually seems to be superfluous to the story itself. My wife Heidi and I watched Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on a recent flight (we loved it) and the hinting there between Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor was so much more powerful and classy than a graphic sex scene.
I remember Heidi and I watched The Aftermath on another flight a couple years ago and were shocked by the raw and graphic sex scene with Ned Wills and Keira Knightley (who apparently used a body double because she did not want to expose her own breasts).
More recently I was rather surprised by the graphic nudity in Oppenheimer (it seemed unlike Chris Nolan) and the tender but graphic sex scene in Red, White & Royal Blue.
And of course, every Martin Scorsese film is just a case study in violence.
But let’s set aside my own preferences for a moment.
United still gives you a disclaimer like this:
But is that enough? What about in economy class where you really cannot help but notice the screens of those around you? Is it appropriate to show such graphic sex, nudity, and violence or does that cross a line?
I am not sure whether airlines can distinguish between content based on the class of service, but I see my son looking around and watching other people’s screens and frankly, there are many things I do not want him exposed to at the age of seven.
While I do believe that modifying movies is like modifying the work of an artist, I find this a very difficult issue to wrestle with. You don’t have to be religious to want to shield your children from some of the complexities of life while they are still young.
We all, including me, need to carefully consider whether the entertainment we consume is edifying. That should preclude many movies. It might also be wise to perform some due diligence in advance instead of just beginning a movie without any idea of its content beyond the disclaimer above.
I still lean on the side of unedited movies, but that makes it all the more important that we carefully choose what we consume.
Do you think airline movies should still be edited?
My original post on this topic, from February 8, 2018, is below.
Almost all the movies I watch are on airplanes. That means I often see only edited versions of films. But should airline movies be edited?
On a recent United flight, I was met with this rather stark warning before the movie began:
THIS CONTENT CONTAINS:
NUDITY
SEXUAL SITUATIONS
PROFANITYPlease be mindful of those around you. If you feel that you or others may find this content offensive, please choose another title.
I had never seen a message like that before on United, but figured United was no longer editing movies on seatback monitors.
By the way, this was the movie I watching, Novitiate—
Since it did not seem like a salacious movie, I opted to continue. It was a thought-provoking movie about the changing role of nuns in the Vatican II era.
But, the sexual situations were only hinted at and all nudity was edited out…
So why the warning?
A couple thoughts. First, I am not opposed to editing movies for content that are shown on main cabin screens. In the era of personal and streaming IFE, those are becoming increasingly rare. Nevertheless, I don’t think violence, graphic sex, or nudity is appropriate in a cabin that usually contains children.
Second, I do find it ironic that airlines are quick to censor even the slightest nudity but rarely edit gratuitous violence. That says something about the American culture more than anything else.
Fundamentally, though, I believe modifying movies is like modifying the work of an artist. It should not be done whenever possible, including when each passenger has their own screen. Thus, I prefer unedited movies but support the clear warnings and the ability to enable “child safe” mode.
How about you? Do you believe airline movies should be edited?
it’s not so much about child-safe mode like on the phones and tablets. Anyone walking up and down the aisle could easily see what’s on your screen, regardless of what setting they might have activated on their own IFE, so in that sense, I’m for restricting in-flight content to PG-13 levels.
The last thing I need on a long-haul flight is undue commotion because some “concerned” parent complained to the FAs regarding salacious content on my screen, even though i’m simply playing back what’s available on the system.
@HarryLAX … I am also for restricting content to PG-13 , but for different reasons :
I’ve known a few lads and lasses in the entertainment industry , and frequently they disparage their viewing audiences for being attracted to trashy behavior . They agree their only purpose is money in the bank . Why be a fool?
No not intolerate. I’m not the one who said seeing a boob pollutes my mind… but nothing surprises me with you. For years you had that creepy picture of yourself as your blog’s cover picture and over the years you brag about how your kids basically have zero fun in life and you don’t even let them watch cartoons, like they are little Christian soldiers only allowed to be prim and proper. I’ll be here in a few years when you write the post, I don’t know why my adult kids want nothing to be with me…
I think you meant to respond to me and now you’ve given yourself away.
I truly feel bad for you…you are blinded by your own bigotry in such a pathetic way. How sad.
You make such outlandish assumptions about me…so many wrong assumptions. So much hate.
Try not to be so obtuse. Tolerance is liberating.
May you find the peace that you desperately need.
I’ve been on several flights where they showed nudity. A quick shot of a breast is fine but sex scenes with nudity are a bit much for inflight movies.
no editing should be done.
No editing should be done. Long gone are the times when everyone watched the same film off a few screens. If a child is so traumatized by a quick view of a naked image that’s on the parents, not you. More ridiculous is editing for language.
I’m not one for censorship. However to be blunt it is largely up to the airline as to what they want to show.
@Evan … +1 . Yep , it is up to the airline , and if the airline chooses to show trashy movies , then the airline is trashy , pandering to trashy minds .
JAL and ANA are higher class , with a higher mindset , and do not demean themselves .
In theory I agree with you. The problem in “deep coach” is that it’s really easy to see what’s on your neighbor’s screen or that you’re streaming to your own device. All it takes is one busybody who’s “triggered” by what you’re watching to create a commotion and a headache for both you and the FA. While it’s sad this is the world we now live in, it is what it is, and the headache isn’t worth it for a movie I can just watch at home later anyway.
Can’t remember what movie I was watching but it contained a moderate length sex scene. I felt very uncomfortable only for the fact that someone could be watching my screen and think I was some kind of freak, especially since there were kids on the plane.
I’m not one for censorship but on plane I definitely think they should be edited. Treat it like daytime cable TV.
They just need to provide those screen covers that limit viewing the screen from any angle except straight on. Next issue?
I was on an Air Canada flight where one of the IFE choices was the HBO series Looking about a group of young gay male friends in San Francisco. I had watched the series previously and knew it was very sexually graphic at times. I was in business class so the issue of screen privacy wasn’t as pronounced, but I did wonder about someone in coach glancing to his/her right only to see dudes rimming.
Honestly, I’m conflicted about this issue. I’m not a prude and wish more people would just chillax about others’ sexual choices. At the same time, I appreciate the need to respect and accommodate a range of sensibilities in a confined, “public” space like an airplane. Would it be so difficult to install the type of filters I have on my desktop at work, so that someone walking by can’t see anything if they’re not looking right at the screen?
I download shows on Netflix to my iPad. The only time nudity is shown is when the Flight Attendant is asking me for my drink choice and there are b**bs on the screen. Happens all the time. Orange is the new Black is the biggest offender. Narcos too.
For those against censorship, if the issue wasn’t nudity, language, or violence, but other offensive context, how would you feel? For example if someone in coach is watching content on their own device that is clearly demeaning to women or minorities or different religions and that many people would find offensive, are they allowed to view it? If the airline (unwisely) made that content available on their IFE, should it be allowed To be seen without any editing?
Kids and religious nut jobs should be banned from flights.
I’m ok with the PG-13 editing of visuals. What I don’t understand is why Alaska edits out foul language in their movies and TV. That I am against – everyone has headphones and parents should be responsible for monitoring their kid’s usage.
I like how some people say brief nudity should be fine. (a) have you seen some “brief” scenes….some are brief, some are 60 seconds of pornography, and (b) do you have children. I do not want my children exposed to that, especially in the name of “artistic expression.” You will survive seeing that scene altered. And it does not have to affect the story line. No need to block out 100%…you know its’s a sex scene 5 seconds in when they start taking clothes off, you don’t need the next 30 seconds and potentially expose others.
Children, who could be 3, 5, 7, or hell even 14 with a borderline porn addiction,…don’t need to see that.
Parents have the option to activate the parental controls.
But I did see Everything Everywhere All At Once on board and it was mostly uncut except for serious pixelation when that rubbery weapon was used.
Editing is done because of cultural restrictions. Americans find certain things offensive that Latin countries do not, for example. Personally, I don’t care what kind of movie it is. If I don’t like it, I don’t watch it. Don’t worry, when the kids get home they will be on their phones looking at whatever they want.
Many years ago, late 1990s, we got moved from an United flight to a Virgin Air flight from LHR to IAD. I remember putting on South Park’s movie and I was surprised that none of the language was censored because on US airlines usually (at that time) they seemed to censor more of the nudity language.
While I think a lot of movies don’t need the blood, gore, etc. I’m not a fan of censoring them, just don’t watch them if you don’t want to.
I recall a UA (I think) TATL flight in which I watched Sausage Party – I dont think it was edited for anything and recall being a little surprised that it was part of the IFE selection…. funny movie
I don’t like censorship. They should tell the filmmakers that they will either show the entire movie or not show the movie, no in-between.
The last time I watch a film on a plane’s IFE was last year. The film I watched had no nudity at all or even close to it despite the story being in a brothel. The story told was fine. In fact, I watched the film twice, on the way and on the way back.
Should of known you are a national right wing Christian nut job. “I do not want to pollute (and I think that word is appropriate) my mind with gratuitous violence or sex and nudity.” Cry me a river. You want us to go back to being a country controlled by religion which bis funny given that is why our ancestors left England. Sorry that seeing a Boob will turn you into some crazy sex machine on the plane… give me a break, read your dam Bible then on flight instead
Reading comprehension is not your specialty, o intolerant one.
Please don’t ruin movie for me on planes.
Can’t believe u watched Red White and Royal Blue! Slay!
Once United installs doors in Polaris the porn will flow freely on the screen. Until then, yeah, it’s a bit awkward at times.
On a side note, I recall when airlines used to never run a movie with airline crashes. Do they now? Sully movie, ok, and pilots love it as well as it gives them talking points for their unions to argue they need $500K annual salaries. But I never saw Fearless run on planes, and that was one amazing movie.
Leave people alone. Nobody should be snooping on others people screens. Maybe edit comedy and take the funny scenes out since on last flight my seat mate was laughing out loud the entire flight because of some movie he was watching. I was laughing of him laughing. LOL!
When we moved to the USA from Australia in 2011 we were amazed at how graphic the violence was on tv at like 6pm. But then they’d blur out the butt crack of someone on a reality show and swearing wasn’t allowed!
I think I’d prefer my 10yo son to see a nipple or hear words he already knows from school than let him see someone getting speared etc.
Hello Matt. The primary issue is children since while adults who don’t want to view offending content will look away, the issue is that parents cannot necessarily control children from looking at someone else’s screen (and they have particularly good eyesight at that age!)
So I think United’s warning to consider if someone will be offended if they are nearby is valid. If a parent notices that someone is watching an offensive movie within eyesight of a child, then they should have the right to ask the FA to ask for the passenger to watch something else. This is largely not a serious problem. Most children are not going to shoulder surf a movie that doesn’t have audio. Also, there is an option to have the parent switch seats with the child to keep them away from the screen.
Heck, this isn’t an issue for us because I always seat my child away from another adult so she’s on her own at the window.
Disagree with everyone who says to leave the movies unedited. I have a fondness an nostalgia for the “TV edit” version of movies I remember from years ago. The worse the hack job on the “naughty” or inappropriate scene or swearing, the better- the comedy is fantastic. Let’s edit the heck out of all of them.
Otherwise, you’d never get gems like: “You see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps!!!!”
Funny that last week AA interlined me on UA, so I found myself on UA for the first time in 21 years. I was in an exit row window and the very first thing I noticed was the screens. Of course, AA is infamous for removing them. The man in the middle seat was not watching anything offensive to me; however, he was watching a movie that did look good. I had to keep looking away. I wanted to see it! BUT not right then! I hate watching movies on planes. I like watching them curled up at home. It was a fun family movie in his case, but the nonstop motion was so distracting. I couldn’t help but keep looking.
Granted, I am not used to seeing screens on flights since I am mostly always on AA, and if I am in J, I watch the flight information, but I feel like if I child would not be allowed in a film in a theatre, then it should not be allowed in economy. There is no way to prevent people from seeing violence, sex, possibly even language since a number of people prefer to watch subtitled movies now.
I never considered this debate since it’s not one AA has much, obviously, but I am so sensitive to flashing images anyway that I was scrambling to get my own screen and the constant commercials off. There is zero way I could have had my eyes open and not seen the man’s screen. Fortunately, I am a grown up, and the movie he was watching only contained (sadly) spoilers.
I also thought airlines edited out plane crashes and won’t show movies based on plane takeovers.
If I see that a movie has been edited for content I won’t continue watching it. The artist created the movie as an entire piece. May as well put a bathing suit on the statue of David. Speedos of course since it’s in Italy.
I also understand that some airlines or cultures may not want certain content to be shown on a medium they control. That’s fair.
So for me the answer is easy, if you cannot show the entire movie then don’t include it in the IFE options. Plenty of PG content to choose from and I always have at least 12+ hours of movies on my iPad for when I’m flying an airline that likes to censor the IFE.
Totally reasonable point.
People need to pull up their big girl panties and be concerned what is front of their faces for entertainment, not what someone 2 rows in front of them is watching. And perhaps if passengers would pay attention to where they are walking while heading down the aisle instead of glancing at everyone’s entertainment screens, there wouldn’t be any issues. Yes, Gladys Kravitz, I’m talking about you.
You’re dating yourslef Abner! 😉
But growing up watcing Bewitched, I get it!
More seldom than not, the movies gives us exquisite sex and wholesome violence, that underscores our values. Every two child did. I will.
Years ago I was on a Delta transatlantic flight. There was a teenage girl next to me then her mom.
We were all watching the movie Bridget Jones when the line…
‘Then I think a well timed BJ is in order’
The mom looked at me like did she just say what I thought she said.
I just shrugged like, yes I thought they cut that kind of stuff out for movies on the plane.