Although initially refused a UK cinema certificate by censor John Trevelyan, the film was passed uncut after successful showings by local council authorities.
Rejected by the British Board of Film Censors on 19 July 1963, but opened anyway at the Academy Cinema on 17 October 1963, courtesy of a local "X" certificate from the Greater London Council. The film ran 9 weeks and then moved on to the Academy's 11pm late show slot for a further 11 weeks. By then the BBFC had bowed to public opinion and passed the film for public exhibition on 12 December 1963.