A Startling and Seductive Shift

The American film industry has been criticized for moral degradation since its
inception, strictly censored for decades, and finally has grown to accept and propagate
violence. The industry has experienced a gradual evolution that has left it a shadow of what it
once was, and this transformation has made for uncomfortable movie experiences. While
sexual content has always been prevalent in film, dating back to its introduction to America
in 1896, erotic scenes have become increasingly more explicit and unapologetic. The social
revolutions of the 1960s, in particular, altered the film industry as it tried to capture the
radical innovation of the decade. During this era of upheaval, second wave feminists
addressed the misconception of sexual assault and advocated for reforms that would bring
justice to victims. As a result of the feminists movement and the openness of the era, sexual
content became more commonplace in television and film. This movement was meant to take
away the taboo of discussing rape, but as an unintended consequence it has desensitized
people to the subject. Many movies now include graphic rape scenes, like the movie the Girl
with the Dragon Tattoo. This movie includes a scene that depicts the disturbingly brutal rape
and mutilation of a young woman, and it has been the cause of much controversy. The
evolution of the film industry is instrumental to the presentation of rape scenes, and this
medium has, in turn, been instrumental in changing societys perception of rape, for better or
worse.
Many films produced in the early 20
th
century were subject to the scrutiny of the
public, and their conservative tendencies are evident in the reforms that took place. Despite
the fact that early films were silent, they still addressed controversial and immoral issues like
sex. As these indecent films continued to offend audiences, actions were taken to police the
industry (Triplett). For example, many critics of Thomas Edison's 1896 film, The Kiss,
condemned the silent film for the risqu sight of a couple kissing on screen (Dirks). This was

the first time that a kiss was shown on screen, and one offended viewer decried the scene as a
spectacle that was beastly enough and was absolutely disgusting" (Dirks). This scene
may seem tame enough to modern movie goers, but the kiss was as offensive as pornography
to its contemporary viewers. The 20
th
century marks the time of the Progressives in America.
These activists sought for reform that would reflect the moral upstanding they believed were
appropriate. As such, the progressives were amongst the film industrys largest opponents,
and they continuously sought to bring about reform.
In 1909 several New York movie theaters were forced to close down for showing
inappropriate films. In response, The National Board of Censorship was created in order to
regulate and censor films (Brief History). In 1922 the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributers of America, or the MPPDA, was established in order to avoid government
intervention in the censorship of film. The MPPDA created the Production Code, which
required that all scripts be reviewed so that inappropriate material could be cut. The code
assured the public that, no picture shall be produced which will lower the moral standards of
those who see it" (Brief History). The MPPDA was changed to the Motion Picture
Association of America in 1945, and in 1966 the entire system was revised in lieu of more
lenient restrictions and censoring (History). The organizations newly codified policy, created
in 1968, is similar to the rating system in use today, including G, M, R, and X ratings
(History). The combination of the more lenient rating system and changing social, cultural,
and political atmosphere marks the turning point in the film industry.
The social movements of the 1960s influenced the film industry with their
revolutionary ideals. As a result, the industry adopted a less restrictive atmosphere that
allotted "creative and artistic freedoms to filmmakers" (History). Filmmakers were permitted
to explore controversial issues such as homosexuality, rape, and violence. The 1967 version
of Bonnie and Clyde exemplifies the distinct difference in both film censorship and audience

reaction to violence. During its original release, the film was indignantly criticized for its
shocking violence and for its blending of humorous farce with brutal killings (Dirks).
However, it was re-released shortly thereafter and the public reacted much more favorably,
gaining critical acclaim. In a complete contradiction to the publics reaction to The Kiss,
Bonnie and Clyde was one of the most talked of movies of the 1960s, and it was nominated
for 10 Academy Awards (Dirks). The romanticism of murder and the glamorization of sex in
this movie also contradict the oath of the Production Code to never promote material that
would endanger the moral wellbeing of audiences. This film reflects the changing attitude
and interest of audiences, and it signals an inclination for racy material. The Film Midnight
Cowboy, for example, is another notorious, and somewhat scandalous, film. This movie
explores the life of a gigolo and it exploits his sexual encounters with both men and women.
This film was rated X, but it was the first and only adult rated film to receive the Best Picture
Oscar (Dirks). What factors influenced the publics opinion on what they used to regard as
unseemly and eventually led to the explicit depiction of rape in film?
The womens rights movement and the second wave feminists of especially aided the
film industry by facilitating discussion on taboo crimes such as rape. The feminists of the
1960s and 1970s fought not for suffrage, but for equality among the sexes, and they saw rape
as a major violation of gender equality (Epstein). In order to create awareness, second wave
feminists sought to change the common misperception of sexual assault (Friedman). They
argued that "rape is a crime not of lust, but of violence and power; a social tool that men use
to assert dominance over women and communicate that dominance to the wider world
(Friedman). Above all, they argued that women were, undeniably, irrefutably, victims, and
they did not welcome sexual assault through any action of their own (Friedman). To reinforce
this fact, activists lobbied hospitals and police departments to treat rape victims with more
respect and sensitivity, because these institutions were often guilty for mistreating rape

victims (1960s). To encourage women to speak out about their attacks and to completely
eliminate every taboo on the subject, activists also organized speak-outs during which
women could freely and unashamedly discuss abortion and rape (1960s). However
beneficial this was to women, there were many unintended consequences. Ironically, as the
activists campaigned to secure freedom, equality, and justice for women, they unintentionally
brought them further harm.
When rape became more of a commonplace, and women were no longer as afraid to
discuss it, the media, in part encouraged by feminists and activists, began to display it more
than ever. In some cases, the display of rape in the media and in films led to copycat
violence. The film, A Clockwork Orange, for example, includes two very disturbing rape
scenes. Many chose to re-enact the gang-bang rape of a young women to the song Singin in
the Rain (Dirks). The film has been banned in several countries as a result. There are many
instances of copycat violence, but what are the wider implications for society? Should the
public recognize the stimulating effect this medium holds, especially for those who are
already inclined towards violence? There is no doubt that the social revolutions of the 1960s
marked a decided change in the film industry through the decades experimentation and
pushing of boundaries. But how far is too far? Should such explicit material be allowed or
should society return to the Production Codes standard of refusing to publish material that
would have a detrimental effect on the audience? Or is there some happy medium?
The evolution of the film industry was accelerated by the social revolutions of the
1960s, and this evolution enabled the film industry to address difficult and controversial
topics like rape. This medium can be used as an incentive for discussion, but it can also be
used to gratify darker inclinations in viewers. Do graphic rape scenes help to raise awareness,
do they merely cause discomfort, or do they encourage further rape? In todays society sexual
assault has gained recognition as a heinous crime; however, 54% of rapes continue to go on

unreported (Friedman). Some cases are documented by bystanders who take pictures and
upload them onto social media sites like facebook and twitter. Is this much different from
viewing rape in a movie, and does watching similar scenes make this seem more acceptable?