Distributors of this movie had hoped to be given an 18 certificate for the film, which involves torture such as amputation and eye-gouging. But the British Board of Film Classification said the film featured sexual sadism for its own sake. Also stated that giving the film a rating would involve a "risk of harm" to those viewing it. Therefore no classification was given and selling or supplying the film would now be illegal.
Banned in Norway.
The film was rejected for UK DVD release by the BBFC in August 2009.
It is the first of only two films to date to receive an R20+ rating in Japan, the other being A Serbian Film (2010).