Pirates Posts Record Takings Despite Censorship

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End has recorded box office takings of over 80 million yuan ($19.54 million) since its release in China last week - despite being drastically cut by the country's censors.

The third installment of the swashbuckling franchise has posted the profits since its 12 June release in the country which saw scenes featuring Chow Yun-Fat as a bald, scarred pirate cut from 20 minutes to 10 minutes for allegedly "vilifying and defacing the Chinese", according to local press reports.

The movie's takings have surpassed those of Spider-Man 3 - which sits atop China's box office takings chart for 2007, with 100 million yuan ($13.18 million) earned since its release.