Fifty Shades of Grey movie gets 18 certificate for 'strong sex and sado-masochistic practices'

It may not be Fifty Shades of Tame after all

Jamie Dornan as playboy billionaire Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey

All that 'strong sex' in the movie adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey has seen it slapped with an 18 certificate.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) decided on the most restrictive classification after deeming "the portrayal of erotic role play based on domination, submission and sado-masochistic practices" inappropriate for younger cinema-goers.

"There are also strong verbal references to such practices and the instruments used," the BBFC's statement reads.

Sam Taylor-Johnson's film has been given a less restrictive R rating in the US, meaning those aged under 17 will be able to watch it but must be accompanied by an adult.

Producer Dana Brunetti hinted last year that a more explicit take could also be released, although one is yet to be announced.

"Everybody could go and enjoy the R version and then if they really wanted to see it again and get a little bit more gritty with it then have that NC-17 version out there as well," he said.

First look footage shown to critics last March was met with a luke-warm response, with journalists describing "a lot of PG kissing" and branding it "surprisingly tame".

Jamie Dornan, who plays playboy billionaire Christian Grey, has revealed how he researched the role by visiting a sex dungeon to learn about kinky fetishes. He added that there will be no full-frontal male nudity in the movie meaning viewers will not be seeing his "todger".

Dornan has also defended Fifty Shades of Grey against critics who condoning it for allegedly glamourising violence against women.

"It's all consensual," he told GQ. "There's weirder s**t than [S&M]. I think plane spotting is far weirder than S&M. That I really don’t get. I can understand why people are into S&M but standing outside Heathrow Terminal 5 waiting for Ryanair to come in?"

Fifty Shades of Grey arrives in UK cinemas on 13 February, just in time for Valentine’s Day.