Age Ratings:

Here we have decided to research into the age ratings of films. To decide on an age rating of a film the bbfc (British Board of Film Classification) will apply the film to the guidelines of classifications. This will help classify the age and help create an audience the film will be distributed to. The guidelines will show the amount of: discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme and violence.

Here are the classifications:

'U' Universal should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

• No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is an anti-drug message suitable for young children.
• Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
• No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
• No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
• Occasional natural nudity, mild sexual behaviour.
• Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

‘PG’ Parental Guidance films should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

• Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable.
• References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
• Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense.
• No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
• Mild bad language only.
• Natural nudity, with no sexual context. Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references only.
• Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context.

‘12A/ 12’ only for those aged 12 and over. These categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. The ‘12’ category exists only for video works.

• Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole.
• Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised.
• Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.
• Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language must be infrequent.
• Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.
• Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood.

‘15’ No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

 
• The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
• Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
• Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sexualised.
• There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the context.
• Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

‘18’

Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law.
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society –This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’.

‘R18’ To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.