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Burstyn: The Italian Film 'The Miracle'

157 Words1 Pages
Prior to this case, a New York ruling permitted the banning of motion pictures if they were deemed sacrilegious. Burstyn was part of a distribution company and owned the exclusive rights to distribute the Italian film “The Miracle” throughout the United States. After about eight weeks of exhibition, the NYS Board of Regents received hundreds of messages against the shoeing of the film. After reviewing the film, the board deemed it sacrilegious and it’s license was rescinded. Burstyn brought the action to the New York courts, claiming that it was a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and that the term sacrilegious was too vague and indefinite. The board’s decision to revoke the license was upheld by the New York courts, but later was appealed
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