+2
It's hard to remember which ones I *wanted* to see. But I think the first R rated film I *did* see was the original "Godfather." My mom took me to see that one. I think the first one I *wanted* to see was "Deliverance," which my dad would not take me to see. But, he did take me to see "Blazing Saddles," a couple of years later.
I say "hard to remember..." because as a child we spent our summers on Martha's Vineyard. And one of the favorite evening pastimes (and which turned out to be a fantastic baby sitter for kids) were the two local theaters we had right in the center of town and both of which being within walking distance of our house. During those days, parents could literally throw their kids few bucks and they'd be able to go off to one of the theaters, freeing the parents for a couple of hours and come back later. There was usually an 8pm showing and a 10pm showing, depending on the length of the film. Thus, I saw a ton of films that way, and most I think were actually pre-Valenti MPAA ratings. But I don't recall anything actually showing in those theaters that would earn higher than PG-13 these days. The community standards wouldn't have permitted it. I think the first real R rated picture at those theaters was the original M*A*S*H. In fact, my dad sent me home when they saw the theater poster and the rating. Ah well. I'm not sure, but they may have shown "A Clockwork Orange" when it first came out (and was rated "X"), but I don't remember. And, in any case, the theater owners would never allow kids in for that.
Believe it or not, those theaters are still in business, but I wonder if kids can just go by themselves anymore, or if the audience volume is as large as it used to be. They do have the Internet up there, so it's not like they *have* to go to the movies for entertainment. The "Flying Horses" (the oldest operating carousel in the nation) used to have Pin ball machines as a side attraction. Now, it's video games.
But I digress. Yes, I think "Deliverance" was the first one I *wanted* to see but was not allowed to go see.