BBFC Ratings Analysis
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organisation, which is responsible for the classification of films in the UK. It was established in 1912 for films by a few members of the film industry who decided to manage their own censorship rather than have the government do it for them. They wanted to establish their own system of self-regulation. The BBFC began operating on the 1st of January 1913 under the legal basis of the Cinematography Act 1909; cinemas were required to have licences from local authorities under this act.
Just before the Second World War, cinema became a socially powerful mass-medium and was feared because of the potential effects of its use for propaganda e.g. the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Therefore, an unofficial system of political censorship was introduced by the BBFC for the Home Office of the UK. However, Hollywood films weren't treated as strictly because the BBFC assumed that audiences would recognise American cinema as representing a foreign culture so it wouldn't have a big effect. From the 1950s onwards, the BBFC focused more on depictions of sex and violence than political expression.
In 1984, the BBFC were given responsibility for classifying videos for hire or to buy and view at home as well as cinema. Home video and cinema are given the same certificate the majority of the time, however it can vary due to bonus features or extra content. In December 1986, the first video computer game was certified by the BBFC, however they do not have power over print media.
Here are the current certificates:
PARENTAL GUIDANCE: Suitable for general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Nothing should upset viewers ages eight and over. There may be mild bad language included in PG films ('shit' or 'son of a bitch'). Some films are given the PG certificate but aren't made with a young audience as their target. There is no direct focus or reference to illegal drug use and sexual behaviour. Parents should consider whether the content would upset younger or more sensitive children.
12A (CINEMA ONLY): No one under the age of 12 may see the film in the cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults taking a child to see a 12A film should consider whether it is suitable for that child. A cinema may lose its licence if an adult does not accompany a child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. Depending on the context in which it is used, strong language ('f***') may be used in 12A films. Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed and verbal sex references shouldn't go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Moderate but undetailed violence is allowed and some horror films are given the certificate. Dangerous behaviour (e.g. suicide or hanging) may be presented but not dewlled on or include detail in a manner for young people to be likely to copy.
12 (HOME ONLY): The 12 certificate is the same as the 12A, but the requirements apply outside of the cinema because accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home. The film can only be sold to people over the age of 12.
15: Only viewers aged 15 and over can view the films as they are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. there are no restrictions on the themes involved, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. At 15, there is no limit for the amount of strong language used (e.g. 'f***') and there may be occasional uses of stronger terms (e.g. c***'). However, this is depending on the manner of which it is used, who is using the language, the frequency of the language, and any special contextual justification because continuous or aggressive use will not normally be passed at 15. A 15 rated film could include things such as strong language, strong violence, sexual nudity, drug taking etc. Any sexual activity or nudity presented will not be in great detail and there may also be a strong threat and horror, provided there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
18: No one under the age of 18 is allowed to view or purchase the film, as they are for adults only. No themes are prohibited at this rating because adults can choose their on entertainment as long as it is not potentially harmful or illegal. Therefore it is a possibility that viewers could be offended at the content. Some issues involved in a film given an 18 certificate are strong horror, strong blood and gore, very strong violence, and strong portrayals of sexual activity. There is no limit or constraints on strong language, strong violence, horror, and nudity. Although drug taking may be shown, the work must not promote or encourage drug misuse. These themes may be shown, however, there is still potential for dangerous or criminal behaviour to be cut (e.g. explicit images of sexual activity that cannot be justified by context or behaviour which poses a great risk if copied). Sex works (only material which may be simulated) are generally passed at 18.
RESTRICTED 18: A legally-restricted category, used for explicit sex works or strong fetish material involving adults. Films with this certificate may only be shown in cinemas with special licences, and video works may only be supplied to adults in licensed sex shops. R18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.
Just before the Second World War, cinema became a socially powerful mass-medium and was feared because of the potential effects of its use for propaganda e.g. the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Therefore, an unofficial system of political censorship was introduced by the BBFC for the Home Office of the UK. However, Hollywood films weren't treated as strictly because the BBFC assumed that audiences would recognise American cinema as representing a foreign culture so it wouldn't have a big effect. From the 1950s onwards, the BBFC focused more on depictions of sex and violence than political expression.
In 1984, the BBFC were given responsibility for classifying videos for hire or to buy and view at home as well as cinema. Home video and cinema are given the same certificate the majority of the time, however it can vary due to bonus features or extra content. In December 1986, the first video computer game was certified by the BBFC, however they do not have power over print media.
Here are the current certificates:
UNIVERSAL: Suitable for audiences of all ages to view. Use of infrequent mild bad language may be used ('damn' and 'hell'). There is no overt focus on sexual behaviours but characters may be seen kissing/cuddling and there may be undetailed references to sexual behaviour. Treatment must be appropriate for a young audience; works with this certificate will usually have a positive message and an overall tone of reassurance.
PARENTAL GUIDANCE: Suitable for general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Nothing should upset viewers ages eight and over. There may be mild bad language included in PG films ('shit' or 'son of a bitch'). Some films are given the PG certificate but aren't made with a young audience as their target. There is no direct focus or reference to illegal drug use and sexual behaviour. Parents should consider whether the content would upset younger or more sensitive children.
12A (CINEMA ONLY): No one under the age of 12 may see the film in the cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults taking a child to see a 12A film should consider whether it is suitable for that child. A cinema may lose its licence if an adult does not accompany a child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. Depending on the context in which it is used, strong language ('f***') may be used in 12A films. Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed and verbal sex references shouldn't go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Moderate but undetailed violence is allowed and some horror films are given the certificate. Dangerous behaviour (e.g. suicide or hanging) may be presented but not dewlled on or include detail in a manner for young people to be likely to copy.
12 (HOME ONLY): The 12 certificate is the same as the 12A, but the requirements apply outside of the cinema because accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home. The film can only be sold to people over the age of 12.
15: Only viewers aged 15 and over can view the films as they are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. there are no restrictions on the themes involved, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. At 15, there is no limit for the amount of strong language used (e.g. 'f***') and there may be occasional uses of stronger terms (e.g. c***'). However, this is depending on the manner of which it is used, who is using the language, the frequency of the language, and any special contextual justification because continuous or aggressive use will not normally be passed at 15. A 15 rated film could include things such as strong language, strong violence, sexual nudity, drug taking etc. Any sexual activity or nudity presented will not be in great detail and there may also be a strong threat and horror, provided there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
18: No one under the age of 18 is allowed to view or purchase the film, as they are for adults only. No themes are prohibited at this rating because adults can choose their on entertainment as long as it is not potentially harmful or illegal. Therefore it is a possibility that viewers could be offended at the content. Some issues involved in a film given an 18 certificate are strong horror, strong blood and gore, very strong violence, and strong portrayals of sexual activity. There is no limit or constraints on strong language, strong violence, horror, and nudity. Although drug taking may be shown, the work must not promote or encourage drug misuse. These themes may be shown, however, there is still potential for dangerous or criminal behaviour to be cut (e.g. explicit images of sexual activity that cannot be justified by context or behaviour which poses a great risk if copied). Sex works (only material which may be simulated) are generally passed at 18.
RESTRICTED 18: A legally-restricted category, used for explicit sex works or strong fetish material involving adults. Films with this certificate may only be shown in cinemas with special licences, and video works may only be supplied to adults in licensed sex shops. R18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.
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