Meanwhile, France will let 12-year-olds see Fifty Shades of Grey

Children as young as 12 will be able to see the erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey on its release in France, after the country’s film board decided not to rate it adults-only.

France’s classification president, Jean-Francois Mary, said that the movie, starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, "isn’t a film that... can shock a lot of people".

He believes that the movie, which contains nudity and sadomasochism between an entrepreneur and a virginal student, is "a romance – you could even say schmaltz".

The film, based on the bestselling EL James novel, has been rated “R” in the US for its “graphic nudity” and “unusual behaviour”. In Britain it has an 18 certificate. The film is banned in Malaysia, where it has been deemed “too sadistic”.

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