Sky has warned viewers that Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Flash Gordon, The Jungle Book and Aladdin have ‘outdated values’, as broadcasters respond to concerns that some content is no longer acceptable.
Sky Cinema, the broadcasting giant’s movie service, has issued a disclaimer to its subscribers that some of its content ‘has outdated attitudes, languages and cultural depictions which may cause offence today’.
Around half a dozen films have the warning, including Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany, which sees Mickey Rooney portray an Asian character.
It comes after other TV shows and films were taken off streaming services or had warnings added, most notably when Little Britain most notably pulled from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox in a row over blackface characters.
Sky has issued a disclaimer alongside a number of its films that have ‘outdated values’ including the 1961 hit Breakfast At Tiffany’s (pictured: Audrey Hepburn)
The broadcasting giants say it is reviewing films that ”has outdated attitudes, languages and cultural depictions which may cause offence today”
Disney original animations of The Jungle Book, Dumbo and Aladdin on Sky now carry the new warning over content.
The same disclaimer has been added to the 2016 live-action remake of The Jungle Book and the 2019 Aladdin movie.
However, the broadcaster says that adding the warning to the Aladdin remake was a mistake that will be rectified.
Critics have expressed concerns over the story’s use of Orientalist stereotypes, while casting decisions also came under scrutiny, with Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and the genie played by white actors in the animation.
Dumbo has been accused of containing racist stereotypes of African Americans at the time in the form of black crows, who use jive-like speech patterns. The main bird is even named Jim Crow, a nod to the racist segregationist Jim Crow laws of the time, and is voiced by a white actor.
The 1992 version of Aladdin as well as other popular Disney animations such as Dumbo and The Jungle Book also have the same warning issued alongside them (pictured Aladdin)
Aladdin has long been criticised for its use of Oriental stereotypes and casting decisions
A warning is also issued alongside 1980 hit Flash Gordon, with the films antagonist, Ming the Merciless, played by Max von Sydow, viewed as a classic example of ‘Yellow Peril’ xenophobia.
Gone With The Wind, Lawrence of Arabia, The Goonies and Aliens also have the same disclaimer issued.
Sky say that they are reviewing a number of their titles across their platform and are adding any warnings where they think it necessary to flag issues of cultural sensitivities and attitudes which may cause offence as part of its broader commitment to tackle racial injustice.
A disclaimer can be seen beside 1980 film Flash Gordon (pictured), due to ‘Yellow Peril’ xenophobia
A Sky spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Sky is committed to supporting anti-racism and improving diversity and inclusion both on and off screen. We constantly review all content on Sky’s owned channels and will take action where necessary including adding additional information for our customer to allow them to make an informed decision when deciding what films and TV shows to watch.’
It follows from a series of broadcasters warning viewers of outdated cultural references in some of its content, while some shows have been removed altogether.
Earlier this month, Little Britain was removed from BBC iPlayer, Netflix and BritBox after receiving widespread backlash from viewers over its use of blackface characters.
It follows from a number of broadcasters reviewing its content, with Little Britain (pictured) removed from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox as a result of racism
The streaming websites decided to remove the show created by Matt Lucas, 46, and David Walliams, 48. Netflix also took down the pair’s other comedy, Come Fly With Me.
Last week, UKTV removed the ‘Don’t Mention The War’ episode of the classic 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers from its platforms because it contained racial slurs, a decision slammed by John Cleese, who played Basil Fawlty. The broadcaster has since reinstated the episode with a warning to viewers.
The League of Gentlemen, The Mighty Boosh and Gone With The Wind have also been pulled.
TV duo Ant and Dec also issued an apology this month for ‘impersonating people of colour’ on Saturday Night Takeaway.