11 Iconic R-Rated Scenes That Changed Cinema Ratings Forever

R-rated movies come and go, but some feature scenes that stand the test of time. They are iconic, singular, and often upstage the movies in which they are contained. What's more, some of these movies tested the line between appropriate and explicit so ferociously they changed cinema forever.

The Motion Picture Association of America can be a merciless gatekeeper. Founded in 1922, the MPAA is the final obstacle between a finished film and a widespread audience. Some films feature so much explicit content that they force the MPAA's hand so to speak. This catalyzes changes that keep R-rated movies from being rated NC-17. Nevertheless, these explicit films often become classics. Let's explore 11 iconic R-rated scenes that changed cinema ratings forever.

When Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" arrived in the summer of 1960, no one had encountered its level of violence and horror in a movie before. The MPAA existed, but the Production Code reigned supreme regarding censorship. The iconic shower scene, however, was the least of concerns. Instead, it was the references to sexuality that irked the censors. Ultimately, Hitchcock was forced to abridge some parts of the film, including the shower scene, for global audiences.

By the time audiences encounter the seventh and final sin in David Fincher's classic "Se7en," they do not know what to expect. They are treated with something so horrible and vile it makes the stomach churn, but not because of visuals. "Se7en" is one of those films that eluded NC-17 ratings. It likely still changed cinema forever because of its artful illusions of abject horror. There is no doubt, however, that if more of the "sins" were shown in detail, the film would have earned a more explicit rating.

Movies like the aforementioned "Psycho" helped pave the way for increasingly violent and disturbing movies finding critical acclaim. The sequel to the much-celebrated "Silence of the Lambs" film "Hannibal," tested the ratings. It features a scene where a man slices pieces of his own face and feeds them to his dogs. While iconic in a gruesome way, who knows how many other violent scenes had to be trimmed from "Hannibal" for it to fly below the NC-17 radar.

A classic of late '80s, early '90s capitalistic nihilism, "American Psycho" tested as many limits as possible with investment banker Patrick Bateman's violent descent into madness. Yet, the MPAA didn't seem to mind all the wanton violence. Instead, they gave the film an NC-17 rating for a scene featuring group relations. "American Psycho" only made it to theaters after a few minutes from that scene were trimmed. Even still, the film features several moments of explicitness that remain iconic.

This cult classic film about two Irish brothers seeking vengeance with a side of justice was too violent to make it to theaters on its first cut. One slow-motion gunfight scene featured so much blood that the MPAA forced director Troy Duffy to cut it before it could earn a more accessible R-rating.

Martin Scorsese's epic crime saga "Casino" features an incredible color palette, capturing the blooming kaleidoscope of Vegas tones. It wasn't all Casino lights, however, as the film featured one torture scene so violent that Scorsese was forced to trim briefer, lesser moments of gore to keep the "head-in-the-vice" scene in the picture.

No movie tested the line between wide-release R-rated and exclusive NC-17-rated quite like "Basic Instinct." Everyone remembers the infamous scene where Sharon Stone crosses her legs directly in view of the camera. It was other scenes featuring graphic adult content and violence, however, that director Paul Verhoeven was forced to cut to receive a coveted R-rating.

Francis Ford Coppola may have thought he could ride off the acclaim for the previous iconic Godfather films, but he was mistaken. The MPAA had strict directives for "The Godfather: Part III" to stay R-rated. Namely, trim down the number of violent mob hits, especially one involving a mobster getting his neck snapped.

Looking back, it's incredible that "Schindler's List" secured an R-rating. The film is a serious achievement. It's a testament to the triumph of good even when everything around it is evil, but "Schindler's List" is not for the faint of heart. Its depictions of cruelty and genocide are unparalleled, particularly the shower scene at the concentration camp. Chances are, if the film was broadcast in full color, there's no way it would be rated lower than NC-17.

While "Pulp Fiction" burst into the mainstream as an ultra-violent sendup of the crime/pulp genre, there was even more violence in it that had to be cut to receive an R-rating. The scene in which John Travolta shoots off a guy's head, in particular, had to be cut to keep the film under NC-17.

Even though "Saving Private Ryan" was released nearly thirty years ago, people still talk about its overwhelming, emotionally gripping first scene: the storming of France's Normandy Beach during World War II by Allied troops. Based on the real-life assault on the European coastline, this commencement scene prepares the viewer for the worst. There is blood and guts and such a cacophonous atmosphere that it could easily induce a panic attack. Somehow, director Steven Spielberg avoided an NC-17 rating by going visceral, not exploitative.