The Hollywood Reporter says that, citing extreme violence, the Spanish Culture Ministry’s Film Institute has given ‘Saw VI’ an X rating, relegating it to the eight theatres in Spain that feature pornography.

A wide release had been scheduled but the X rating prevents this, since such films cannot be screened in commercial theaters. Distributor, Buena Vista, was reportedly surprised – it had been expecting the same “not under 18″ the previous installments of the franchise had received — and has appealed the decision, but a resolution in time for today’s release was said to be unlikely.

This is the first time the Spanish ratings commission has slapped a flick with an X because of violence. Film Institute director Ignasi Guardans apparently could have overruled the rating, but didn’t.

“I have followed, as usual, the proposal of the Cinematographic Film Ratings Commission,” Guardans told THR. “I could have acted differently, but I haven’t found any reason to do so. Indeed, the money invested cannot be the reason to decide the rating of a film.”

Guardans will also oversee the appeal but said, “Without new elements for consideration it is not probable that a different evaluation will be made.”

(Photo by PR Photos)

Story provided by the Dish Information Corporation