Film board refuses to classify Human Centipede 2 as it could ‘harm viewers’

The UK's movie ratings body has taken the unusual step of refusing outright to classify a new horror film - and warned there was a real risk of harm to viewers.

Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) is the sequel to 2009's stomach-churning German movie about a mad scientist who grafts three kidnap victims together by stitching them mouth to anus.

The sequel - which was shot in London with an all-British cast - deals with a man who becomes 'sexually obsessed' with a DVD recording of the original film and wants to put the idea into practice.

Sick sequel: The British Board of Film Classification has refused to grant a certificate to the follow-up to 2009's The Human Centipede.At the helm: Tom Six, Dutch director of both Human Centipede films, said the original gorefest was like 'My Little Pony compared to part two'. He is seen here in the teaser trailer for the sequel

nstead of examining whether the victims will escape the horrific medical experiment, the new film looks at the sexual fantasies of the torturer and the humiliation and mutilation he inflicts.

An online teaser released to promote the new film called it 'the sickest movie of all time'.

But the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has ruled no amount of cuts would allow them to give the new film a certificate and said it may fall foul of the Obscene Publications Act.

The original Human Centipede (First Sequence) film was given an 18 certificate and was shown in cinemas and film festivals before being released on DVD.

Dutch director, Tom Six, who helmed both films, promised part one would be 'My Little Pony compared to part two' - which is said to feature a 12-person 'human centipede'.

Film distributors had applied to release the follow-up, The Human Centipede 2, on DVD but its rejection means it cannot be legally supplied in the UK.

The BBFC concluded that the thrust of the film was the 'sexual arousal of the central character at both the idea and the spectacle of the total degradation, humiliation, mutilation, torture and murder of his naked victims'.

It 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.'

The BBFC said the film breached classification guidelines and 'poses a real, as opposed to a fanciful, risk that harm is likely to be caused to potential viewers'.

The first film caused a stir when it was released last year by Six but it was thought to be suitable for adult viewing.

Although set in Germany, it was filmed in the Netherlands.

The cast includes Dieter Laser as the mad scientist Dr Heiter - and his three victims are Ashley Williams (as Lindsay), Ashlynn Yennie (Jenny) and Akihiro Kitamura (Katsuro).

The ratings body said that 'although the concept of the film was undoubtedly tasteless and disgusting, it was a relatively traditional and conventional horror film'.

At the time of the original film's release, celebrated U.S. film critic Roger Ebert said: 'I am required to award stars to movies I review.

'This time, I refuse to do it.

'The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter?

'It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine.'