Regulation of Film in the UK
- British Board of Film Censorship (since 1912)
- British Board of film Classification (since 1984)
- Non- governmental organisation funded by the film industry
- Films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate. U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, R18
- Has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games
- Historically BBFC been criticised for excessive censorship but became more liberal in 1960s and has relaxed further since late 1990's
Examples of ratings-
U - The U symbol stands for Universal. A Universal film is be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it's hard to predict what might upset a particular child.
PG - PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset their own child.
12/12A - Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.
15 - No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.
18 - Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.
R18 - The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops.
Video notes -
- British Board of Film Censorship (since 1912)
- British Board of film Classification (since 1984)
- Non- governmental organisation funded by the film industry
- Films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate. U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, R18
- Has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games
- Historically BBFC been criticised for excessive censorship but became more liberal in 1960s and has relaxed further since late 1990's
Examples of ratings-
U - The U symbol stands for Universal. A Universal film is be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it's hard to predict what might upset a particular child.
PG - PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset their own child.
12/12A - Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.
15 - No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.
18 - Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.
R18 - The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops.
Video notes -
- Every film UK cinemas has to be classified.
- BBCFB reflects what the public/society believes is acceptable for which age can view which content.
- 4 main focus points, violence, bad language, sex and nudity, taste and decency.
- In the UK violence is seen as worse for children due to children being impressionistic to psychological harm from the violence shown in films, however if violence isn't the main focus of the film and there's a story line that doesn't revolve around violence it's less likely to get a higher age restriction, also depending on the amount shown and how violent the content shown is.
- Nudity shown for brief periods of time is okay for a 12A restriction aslong as its needed to be part of the story line, if it can be avoided it should be. Although, you don't have to see sex, but implied sex makes it an automatic 15 atleast.
- Taste and decency comes down to how the audience at certain ages would take the context of the film, if they would be too young to understand jokes, and interoperate them as inappropriate (for example about a religion) then the age restriction will be rated higher to an audience that would understand the context.