BBFC stands for The British Board of Film Classification and is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was originally set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed back in 1984.
U = Universal, suitable for all
Different children are upset by different things, so it is sometimes difficult to say what might upset a particular child. However, U films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay. Films and DVDs for children should make clear to them the difference between right and wrong.
Age rating issues for U
Theme/Topics - Films and DVDs should be about subjects which are generally suitable for younger audiences.
Language – At the most there may be occasional very mild bad language.
Nudity - There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to romantic activities.
Sex and relationships - Only mild references (e.g. to 'making love') and mild behaviour (e.g. kissing) are allowed.
Violence and Threat - Mild violence only. Some mild threat and menace is allowed.
Dangerous Behaviour - There should be no dangerous behaviour that can be easily copied by young children.
Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of.
Language – At the most there may be occasional very mild bad language.
Nudity - There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to romantic activities.
Sex and relationships - Only mild references (e.g. to 'making love') and mild behaviour (e.g. kissing) are allowed.
Violence and Threat - Mild violence only. Some mild threat and menace is allowed.
Dangerous Behaviour - There should be no dangerous behaviour that can be easily copied by young children.
Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of.
Horror - Moments with ghosts, witches and monsters should be over quickly and not be too scary. Nothing at U should really frighten or disturb young viewers. The film or DVD should tell children that everything is okay.
Drugs - Drugs should not be mentioned, unless the film or DVD teaches that drugs are dangerous.
Discrimination - There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong.
PG = Parental Guidance
Discrimination - There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong.
PG films can be viewed by all ages, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older.
A PG tells parents that the content of the film may upset younger or more sensitive children.
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older.
A PG tells parents that the content of the film may upset younger or more sensitive children.
Age rating issues for PG
Theme/Topics - Films and DVDs may be about more grown up topics such as crime, racism, bullying or violence in the home. There must be nothing which suggests these are good things.
Language - Mild bad language only.
Nudity - Some nudity is allowed, but not if it is linked to romantic activities.
Sex and Relationships - Sex can be mentioned, suggested or joked about, but only discreetly.
Violence and Threat - There can be stronger violence than at U, but without detail. Violence which takes place in a comedy, fantasy, or historical film may be treated less strictly.
Dangerous Behaviour - There should be no detail of fighting techniques or other harmful and dangerous activities that children might easily copy.
Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of. Weapons should not be made to look attractive.
Horror - Frightening scenes should not be too long or scary. Scary scenes which are part of a fantasy film may be treated less strictly.
Drugs - There should be no mention of illegal drugs or drug taking unless completely harmless, or the film carries an anti-drug message.
Discrimination - There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong or is presented within a film that is educational or showing historical scenes. Discrimination by a character who is seen as a hero by the audience is also unlikely to be allowed.
Age rating issues for 12A & 12:
Theme - Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language - The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. Racist language used as abuse is also a concern.
Nudity - Nudity is allowed, but it must be brief and discreet if there is any suggestion of sex.
Sex - Sex can be suggested. Sex references may reflect what 12 year old are likely to have heard about from school, but there should be nothing unsuitable for young teenagers. Frequent rude sex references may not be allowed.
Violence - Violence must not dwell on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques - Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on things which can be copied or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be shown as glamorous.
Horror - There can be some threat and menace, including scary scenes which are intense or last a while. Only occasional gory moments can be shown.
Drugs - Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be shown as glamorous, or attractive, or teach viewers how to take drugs.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film.
The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.
Age rating issues for 12A & 12:
Theme - Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language - The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. Racist language used as abuse is also a concern.
Nudity - Nudity is allowed, but it must be brief and discreet if there is any suggestion of sex.
Sex - Sex can be suggested. Sex references may reflect what 12 year old are likely to have heard about from school, but there should be nothing unsuitable for young teenagers. Frequent rude sex references may not be allowed.
Violence - Violence must not dwell on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques - Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on things which can be copied or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be shown as glamorous.
Horror - There can be some threat and menace, including scary scenes which are intense or last a while. Only occasional gory moments can be shown.
Drugs - Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be shown as glamorous, or attractive, or teach viewers how to take drugs.
Discrimination - The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behavior that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behaviour is unacceptable unless it is clearly disapproved of.
15 = For 15 year-olds and overNo one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.
General / Age rating issues at 15
15 rated films, videos and downloads can contain strong material including strong swearing, strong horror and strong violence.More information about 15 rated films is available for parents on our public website.
Films, videos and downloads rated 18 are not suitable for children. No one younger than 18 can go and see an 18 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or download.
18 rated films, videos and downloads can contain very strong material which is only suitable for adults.
This can include very strong language, horror, and violence.
To recap...
Overall, this research into the reasons for different age rating has helped me and my group to understand the reasons for why a film is given a certain certificate.
We have decided that our thriller opening is going to a 15 certificated film, as a majority of out ideas for the thriller fall under that age category.
As one of our ideas was to do a drug deal, and excess of drug taking and extreme violence, our only complication will be that this mainly follows under the 18 certificate. however, as a group we can work around that idea to make sure it is definitely a 15 rated film.
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