Italian communications under-secretary Vincenzo Vita has called for a parental guidance classification to be added to Italy's ratings system, after a row erupted over the bloody scenes in Walt Disney's Dinosaur.

The Italian Parliament and local parental associations have lashed out against the blockbuster's unrestricted release, which they claim doesn't give parents the non-violence guarantee normally offered by a Disney Christmas movie.

'Minors must be paid adequate attention, and major film and TV producers often fail to do this,' Vita said.

Disney released the title in the US and UK with a PG certificate, but in Italy films are only restricted by a 14 or 18 certificate.