Fight videos prompt new warnings

The BBFC imposed strict conditions on the videos

Film censors have, for the first time, issued warnings to viewers about copying the staged fights in a set of videos due for UK release on Monday.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) insisted the Backyard Wrestling videos must carry on-screen and verbal cautions.

The films feature people jumping off roofs, hitting each other with golf clubs and falling on to barbed wire fences and flames.

Backyard Wrestling has become cult viewing in many countries. The action is staged but meant to look real.

The UK distributor of the US-made films, Revolver Entertainment, plans to release nine volumes over the coming months.

The BBFC imposed three written warnings and a spoken caution before the start of the films.

A BBFC spokesperson said: "This is the first time we have asked for these warnings.

"They can be seen as encouraging people to do extremely stupid things.

"We have to be sure we've done all we can to ensure nobody comes to any harm as a result of watching these scenes."

'Fun'

Revolver Entertainment spent six months in negotiations with the BBFC before being allowed to release the videos.

The makers of the videos had to provide statements declaring the fighting was staged and nobody was hurt.

Producer Rick Mahr said: "Despite the sometimes graphic presentation, no wrestlers depicted on The Best Of Backyard Wrestling videos have ever been seriously injured or hurt.

"The 'violence' is 100% simulated and is based upon the strict tenets of high-impact, choreographed showmanship with the utmost safety in mind.

"We don't encourage anyone to try this at home... This is 100% hardcore fun, it's 100% entertainment to be viewed and not copied or imitated."

Backyard Wrestling is also being turned into a video game by the makers of Tomb Raider.