Michael Moore is to contest the 'R' (restricted) rating given to his Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary in the US.

The 'R' rating prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from seeing the film without an adult accompanying them.

The film is being distributed in the US by Lions Gate Films and IFC. Lions Gate releasing chief Tom Ortenberg told Reuters: "I think that the R rating is wrong and inappropriate, and we're going to do everything we can do to get it overturned and make it a PG-13 rating so we can bring Fahrenheit 9/11 to the widest possible audience."

Moore added: "It is sadly very possible that many 15- and 16-year-olds will be asked and recruited to serve in Iraq in the next couple of years. If they are old enough to be recruited and capable of being in combat and risking their lives, they certainly deserve the right to see what is going on in Iraq."

The Motion Picture Association of America said the film received the 'R' rating because of "violent and disturbing images and for language," according to Reuters.