Canadian audiences will be able to see the original 'NC-17' version of American Psycho when Vancouver-based distributor Lions Gate Films releases it across the country on April 14.

After the US' Motion Picture Association issued an 'NC-17' rating, director Mary Harron re-edited the controversial film in order to receive a more box-office friendly "R" rating for the film's US opening, also April 14.

"We believe that American Psycho is an important film that deserves to be seen as the director intended," said Lions Gate president Jeff Sackman. "That won't be possible in US theatres, but it will in Canada."

Ratings in Canada are determined provincially and American Psycho has received an "R" rating in Ontario, the country's largest market and the only province so far to classify the film.