Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, has achieved an unusual distinction in cinematic history. The 1999 feature film, renowned for its unrestrained use of profanity, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for holding the record for “Most Swearing in an Animated Movie.
When Parker, Stone, and Paramount Pictures first submitted the film to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for rating, it faced a significant hurdle. The film initially received an NC-17 rating due to its extensive use of explicit language. The filmmakers made multiple revisions in an attempt to secure a more commercially viable R-rating, but each attempt still resulted in an NC-17 classification.
In frustration, Parker and Stone requested detailed feedback from the MPAA on what specifically kept the film from achieving an R-rating. The MPAA revealed that the film contained over 400 instances of profanity. In response, Parker and Stone submitted a new version with one less curse word, bringing the total to 399, which finally passed the R-rating on their sixth attempt.
Upon its release, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut garnered significant box office success and attracted many underage viewers despite its rating. In 2001, the film was officially listed in the Guinness World Records for having the highest number of swear words in an animated film.
The film’s record-breaking profanity has drawn criticism from some quarters, but Parker and Stone have attributed the film’s successful R-rating to the influence of Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., its domestic and international distributors. Both companies are members of the MPAA, which Parker and Stone have criticized for being an “irresponsible” organization. The MPAA, along with Paramount and Warner Bros., have denied any undue influence.
Following the film’s release and its subsequent success, MPAA President Jack Valenti expressed regret over the film’s R-rating, acknowledging the oversight in allowing a film with such excessive language to be widely released. In response to the controversy, the MPAA began providing more detailed content descriptions alongside their ratings in an effort to better inform audiences about the nature of the material.
The film’s achievement remains a testament to Parker and Stone’s commitment to pushing boundaries and highlights the complex dynamics between filmmakers and film rating organizations.
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