Earlier in the list, we talked about how sensational the film's box office performance was for an R rated picture. It was a risk on the producer's behalf to go ahead with the film at that rating, knowing it would limit the chances of making enough box office money to pay for the elaborate production. The studio was nervous, and pressured Spielberg to make cuts in pursuit of a lower rating.
Spielberg, correctly, outright refused. He eventually tired of being asked, and told the studio that if they forced him, the only cuts he would make would result in an NC-17 rating; meaning that no children below the age of 17 would be admitted, and the effect on the box office would essentially be the same. The studio finally got the message and backed off. It was undoubtedly the correct call. It might be gruesome, but without the more horrific scenes the film just wouldn't be the same.