Italy TV row over gay cowboys, full Brokeback Mountain will now be aired

AN Italian TV station is under fire after it cut kissing and sex scenes from a screening of Brokeback Mountain.

The film, which won three Oscars in 2006, tells the gay love story of two cowboys and stars Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger.

Gay rights groups say RAI TV censored the Ang Lee film and would never have done so if it had involved a heterosexual couple.

According to RAI, the cut version was aired on Monday by mistake after the film arrived from the distributor already censored, ready for prime time.

But when it was decided to show the film late at night, no one checked for the uncut version.

RAI have now promised to show the full-length film.

Some commentators and politicians were not satisfied, saying the cuts would not have been justified even if the film had been aired earlier.

 See Italy TV row over gay cowboys
The Sun