Kinky Fifty Shades of Grey poster deemed too naughty for Welwyn Garden City after complaints

The offending Fifty Shades of Grey poster on the front of the Garden City Cinema at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City

The offending Fifty Shades of Grey poster on the front of the Garden City Cinema at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City

Archant

A risqué film poster outside a Welwyn Garden City cinema has had to be removed after complaints from members of the public.

The raunchy advertisement for forthcoming movie Fifty Shades of Grey was on display on the front of the council-owned Garden City Cinema, on the Campus West roundabout.

It depicted the head and shoulders of a seemingly naked woman – star Dakota Johnson, playing eager-to-please Anastasia Steele – blindfolded, topless and apparently in the throes of passion during a kinky sex scene.

The poster, also bearing the Welwyn Hatfield Council logo, was on display outside the recently refurbished leisure complex.

The hotly-awaited movie, which comes out on February 14, is based on the steamy bestseller by E L James.

A spokesman for the Garden City Cinema said: “We are very sorry if we caused any offence to anyone.

“The film is set to be a huge blockbuster and is already selling well with us, even though it doesn’t open until Valentine’s Day 2015.

“The poster reflects the erotic nature of the film and was not explicit, but we understand if some people have taken offence.”

The billboard, which had been up for a week, was replaced with one advertising Christmas hit, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.

As well as the three-screen Garden City Cinema, the Campus West entertainment complex also houses the Hawthorne Theatre, RollerCity and SoftPlayCity.

9 comments

  • Some people just love to look around for something to be offended by and when they complained, why were they not told to go away and grow up? It seems the minority with the sad lives have won again - "all bow to the offended minority" should be the new Council tag line.

    Report this comment

    Oh If Only

    Tuesday, December 30, 2014

  • Well I'm offended that someone felt offended by a poster that showed, well, er, nothing! If I complain that it is offensive to the hundreds of people who saw it and didn't complain, and would like to see it again, or to the many people who were denied the chance to see it, by maybe just one person, will they reinstate the poster? It seems the minority has won again!

    Report this comment

    Phil Spicer

    Monday, December 29, 2014

  • I guess your love life sucks. As long as they don't show any parts, I do not care. You read the books and see the movie which I doubt you will, it is not as bad as you think it is. What in the books is a lot more stronger than on the screen.

    Report this comment

    janice sonntag

    Friday, December 26, 2014

  • helo christiane i think ure right. im offended by sum1 of our generation who hasnt read this book. it realy disturbs me. i think its dun wat E.M Forster did 4 his generation with Howards End. obviusly christin gray is the beast and the persons offended by the poster is the monk. All they need to do is connect. Only connect.

    Report this comment

    Paul Pennyfeather

    Thursday, December 25, 2014

  • Paul Pennyfeather

    Thursday, December 25, 2014

  • It's really a shame that people judge this book without ever reading it. Too many are concentrating on the BDSM without ever really knowing that the submissive holds all the power, not the dom! Do some research before you open your mouth. The love story behind this movie is PHENOMENAL and one that thousands of women (and men) wish we all had! I personally can't wait for this movie to come out.

    Report this comment

    brudrawest

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014

  • It is very sad that people judge without knowledge. They need to read the books and find the deeper meaning. The movie I'm sure is going to be amazing. There are plenty of other horrible things to complain about. Many movies can be offensive. No one is forcing them to watch the movie or look at the poster.

    Report this comment

    Lindsey B

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014

  • Some people just want to be offended... and will latch on to anything. Shame they don;t put thier efforts into being offended by third world debt, corporate greed or the political skulduggery that takes shape just the other side of the Campus.

    Report this comment

    Imogen Mann

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014

  • The lack of knowledge about the book is disturbing! Whoever complained about it must need to read the books first! I can't wait for the movie to come out!

    Report this comment

    Christianne Forman

    Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The views expressed in the above comments do not necessarily reflect the views of this site

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