10,000 See ‘tango’ – Appeals Fail (Press, 22 September 1977)

The film "Last Tango in Paris," which opened in Christchurch on 9 September 1977, has sparked considerable controversy, drawing an audience of around 10,000 people since its release. The New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Highet, has made it clear that he will not be asking the Chief Film Censor, Mr B. C. Tunnicliffe, to review the decision that allowed the film to be screened. Mr Highet has received mixed feedback regarding the film, with letters both for and against it, but he stated that there was insufficient justification to warrant further consideration by the Chief Censor. The Chief Censor had previously permitted the film to be shown to individuals aged 20 and over, after it was rejected twice by the late former Chief Censor, Mr D. C. Mclntosh. This decision has been met with criticism, particularly from Miss Patricia Bartlett, the national secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards. She expressed her concerns directly to Prime Minister Mr Muldoon, who indicated that he could not intervene until the film had been publicly screened and a formal complaint was lodged with Mr Highet. Miss Bartlett referred to Mr Highet's stance on the matter as indicative of being “very permissive.” In response to the ongoing controversy, Mr Highet disclosed that he had not viewed "Last Tango" and had no intentions of doing so. His remarks reflect a commitment to uphold the Chief Censor's ruling and resist calls for intervention regarding the film's screening in New Zealand.

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