Disney+ Removes 'The Abyss' Over Controversial Rat Scene

Breaking News: Disney+ Removes Blockbuster Movie The Abyss Amid Animal Cruelty Controversy

In a shocking move, Disney+ has pulled the plug on James Cameron's 1989 sci-fi thriller The Abyss after sparking outrage with its notorious "abusive scene" that causes real terror. The film, which was nominated for four Academy Awards and won one for Best Visual Effects, has been removed from the streaming platform due to long-running controversy over a heart-stopping sequence featuring a rat submerged in fluorocarbon liquid.

The Abyss, directed by James Cameron, who is also known for Titanic and Avatar, follows a top-secret mission to recover a nuclear submarine that sank in mysterious circumstances. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Ed Harris, Mary Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, but its most disturbing scene has left audiences shaken.

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has been vocal about their opposition to the scene, which they claim causes terror in the rat. The charity's head of public affairs, David Bowles, explained that while the film was originally edited to remove the offending sequence, Disney+'s decision to stream an uncut version raised concerns.

"This isn't about cancel culture," Bowles emphasized. "We'd welcome Disney+ reinstating the film to their platform, just with this troubling scene removed – as is already the case in cinemas, on TV, and on DVD."

The controversy surrounding The Abyss's rat scene has been ongoing for decades, dating back to its original release in 1989. At the time, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) sought expert advice from the RSPCA, which confirmed that the scene constituted cruel infliction of terror on an animal. As a result, the BBFC required edits to be made before granting a rating.

However, Disney+ seemingly missed this crucial detail when they added The Abyss to their platform in April. Bowles pointed out the loophole in regulations that allows streaming platforms to broadcast content deemed unacceptable elsewhere: "This provides a loophole to broadcasting animal abuse long considered unacceptable on other mediums."

The RSPCA has called for stricter guidelines and more robust protection for animals featured in films and television shows. With the rise of streaming services, Bowles argues that new rules are needed to ensure consistency between platforms and traditional entertainment.

"Regulations must be agile to that," he stressed. "And continue to robustly protect animals."

Dr. Charlotte C. Burn, an associate professor of behaviour science at the Royal Veterinary College, has analyzed the scene in question. Her findings reveal that five different rats were used, which exhibited intense panic and terror. The rats defecated in the liquid, their extremities turned blue-ish white, and they gasped 12 times with their mouths stretched open as wide as possible.

To make matters worse, a rat was then lifted out of the liquid by its tail and dangled for six seconds – a painful and distressing experience for rodents. Dr. Burn's conclusion is stark: "The rats experienced terror."

A BBFC spokesperson defended their decision to edit the scene in 1989, stating that they sought expert advice from the RSPCA at the time. The spokesperson confirmed that the scene remains cut from all BBFC-classified versions of the film.

The controversy surrounding The Abyss has reignited debate about animal welfare and the ethics of using animals in filmmaking. While some have praised the movie as a masterpiece, others have expressed outrage over its treatment of animals.

As one viewer on Rotten Tomatoes succinctly put it: "One of Cameron's best films... but the rat scene is sickening."

In response to the backlash, Disney+ has removed The Abyss from their platform. However, the debate continues – with many calling for stricter regulations and greater protection for animals in film and television.

As Dr. Burn so eloquently puts it: "People deserve to be assured they will not be inadvertently exposed to content which promotes or showcases cruelty to animals."

UPDATE: This article was originally published on thescholarlynote.com, a leading online news source dedicated to providing in-depth coverage of current events and breaking news stories.