Cinema chain bans anti-euro film in Hitler row

A national cinema chain has refused to show a controversial anti-euro advertisement which portrays Adolf Hitler backing the single currency.

UCG cinemas said it would not show the film paid for by the "no" campaign" at any of its 43 outlets in Britain and Ireland.

The French-owned group said it avoids showing "political" advertising and found the commercial "offensive".

A spokesman for UCG said: "UCG cinemas use a strict policy and guidelines in deciding which adverts to play.

"This advert does not fit in with those guidelines and we will not be showing it due to both its political and offensive nature."

The 90-second film features a series of public figures and was launched amid protests from the German embassy, leaders of the Jewish community and Second World War veterans two weeks ago.

The most controversial part is a scene showing the comic actor Rick Mayall dressed as the Nazi leader and telling a rally of supporters: "Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Euro!".

Critics said that it offended Jews and resurrected the worst German stereotypes. They called for the advertisement to be pulled unless the offending scenes were cut.

The film has been passed by the Advertising Standards Authority and will be seen over the next three months by an estimated five million people at UCI and Odeon cinemas.

A spokesman for the Odeon cinema chain said: "The advertisement has been passed by the British Advertising Standards Authority and therefore it is fit to be shown."

George Eustice, director of the "no" campaign, said: "It is a harmless comedy sketch for three seconds in a 90-second film."

The film also features Bob Geldof, Harry Enfield, Johnny Vaughan, Vic Reeves, Jools Holland and the Labour MPs Diane Abbott, Kate Hoey and Frank Field.