The concept of a movie rating system was not introduced until the mid-20th century, so it is difficult to definitively identify the first R-rated movie ever made. However, there are several movies that are often cited as some of the earliest examples of films that would likely receive an R rating if they were released today.
One of the earliest examples of a controversial film is “The Hays Code,” a set of self-imposed rules that the major studios agreed to follow in 1930. The code was put in place to avoid government censorship, but it also had a significant impact on the content of movies. The code prohibited depictions of “sexual perversion,” drug use, and profanity, among other things. Many films from the 1930s and 1940s were made under the strict guidelines of the Hays Code, and any content that would have earned an R rating today would have been banned outright.
Despite the strict rules of the Hays Code, some filmmakers managed to push the boundaries of what was acceptable onscreen. One of the earliest examples is “Baby Face” (1933), a pre-Code film that tells the story of a woman who uses her sexuality to climb the corporate ladder. The film features suggestive scenes and themes of promiscuity that would likely earn an R rating today.
Another pre-Code film that would be considered R-rated today is “Scarface” (1932), a gangster film that tells the story of a ruthless criminal and his rise to power. The film includes violent scenes and themes of drug use, prostitution, and organized crime. “Scarface” was so controversial that it was banned in several states, and it was not released on home video until the 1980s.
In the 1950s and 1960s, filmmakers continued to push the boundaries of what was acceptable onscreen. One of the earliest examples of an R-rated movie is “Psycho” (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film tells the story of a woman who is murdered by a motel owner, and it includes scenes of violence, nudity, and sexual themes. “Psycho” was considered shocking when it was released, and it is still considered a classic of the horror genre today.
Another early R-rated movie is “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966), directed by Mike Nichols. The film tells the story of a couple who engage in psychological games with each other and their guests during a late-night party. The film includes themes of alcoholism, infidelity, and profanity, and it was controversial when it was released. “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” was nominated for several Academy Awards and is considered a classic of American cinema.
In the 1970s, the R rating became more commonplace as filmmakers continued to push the boundaries of what was acceptable onscreen. One of the most famous R-rated movies of the decade is “The Godfather” (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film tells the story of a powerful Mafia family and includes scenes of violence, profanity, and sexual themes. “The Godfather” was a critical and commercial success, and it won several Academy Awards.
Another classic R-rated movie from the 1970s is “The Exorcist” (1973), directed by William Friedkin. The film tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon, and it includes scenes of violence, profanity, and sexual themes. “The Exorcist” was considered shocking when it was released, and it is still considered one of the scariest movies ever made.
In conclusion, the concept of an R rating did not exist when movies were first invented, so it is difficult to definitively identify the first R-rated movie ever made. However, there are several early films that would likely be rated R if they were released today, including pre-Code films like “Baby Face” and “Scarface,” as well as later classics like “Psycho,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” “The Godfather,” and “The Exorcist.” These films pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable onscreen and paved the way for the R rating system that exists today.
