The document discusses film regulation in the UK during the 1970s. It provides historical context about Margaret Thatcher becoming the first female prime minister in 1979 and changes to the BBFC leadership and film rating system in the 1970s. Fashion trends of the 1970s like bell bottoms and platform shoes are mentioned. The role of the BBFC in establishing new film rating categories like AA is outlined. Several controversial films of the 1970s like A Clockwork Orange and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre faced censorship debates due to depictions of violence and sexual content.

1. The History Of Film
Regulation In The UK
Michael Odish & Symon Aguilar

2. Historical Context – 1970’s.
1979: Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative party win the 1979
elections, the first and to date, female prime minister.
1975 – Stephen Murphy The BBFC Secretary was replaced by James Fernan.
1974: The Certificate X meant that the film was restricted to 18 year olds
and below.
1970s Children were being protected against foul images and imitable
scenes

3. Social Context -1970’s
Fashion: Much of the 1970’s fashion styles were influenced by the hippie movement. Popular
clothing during the decade included bell-bottomed pants, turtle necked shirts and flower-prints
as well as platform shoes.
Sideburns and beards were popular for men.
Music: The early 1970s saw the rise of many diverse forms of popular and rock musical
styles, including jazz rock, southern rock, folk rock, and soft. Stevie Wonder, The
Temptations and the Jackson 5 dominated the 70’s.
Trends:
1. Lava Lamps
2. Raleigh Chopper Bicycles

4. Role and development of the BBFC
• In 1970, the introduction of the AA was finally approved by local
industries and the industry. This allowed the admission of those
over 14, but not under 14, whether accompanied or not.
• The principal changes to the ratings system were the raising of the
minimum age for X certificates films from 16 to 18.
• The old A (Advisory) category was split to create a new advisory A
which permitted the admission of children of five years or over
whether accompanied or not.
• This had recognized the earlier maturity of many teenagers by
giving them access to certain films at the age of 14 without being
accompanied by an adult.

5. Ratings in the 70s

6. Controversies film in 70s
The seventies did indeed see the release of a number of provocative films, in particular those that linked sex
and violence, for example Straw Dogs (1971), and A Clockwork Orange (1971), both of which contained
controversial rape scenes.
There were a number of other controversies during the seventies
• ‘The Exorcist’ (1973) was accused of having a psychologically damaging effect on young people.
• ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ – The violence and terrorism in the film (directed largely towards over a
woman) was unacceptable. James Ferman was worried by the sexual violence.
• In 1978, the BBFC demanded that an additional cut should be made to the sex film ‘Emmanuelle’
(originally rated X in 1974)
was accused of having a psychologically damaging effect on young people. In the case of each of these films,
the decision of the BBFC to award an 'X' was overturned by a number of local authorities.

7. Films Regulated on 1970s