This document summarizes the different film rating classifications in the British board. It explains that a U rating means the film is suitable for audiences aged 4 and over and can contain very mild language and violence. A PG rating indicates a film is aimed at children aged 8 and older and may explore challenging issues. A 12A means children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, while a 15 rating prohibits those under 15 from viewing strong violence, language, or sexual content. An 18 rating classifies a film as only for adults and may contain very strong themes. The R18 category is legally restricted to explicit adult content.
2. The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be
suitable for audiences aged four years and over. It also
includes At U they only allow little use of very mild bad
language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Violence will generally be
very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or
moments where characters are placed in danger but are
resolved quick. U films are unlikely to contain
discriminatory language or behavior unless it is clearly
disapproved of.
3. PG stands for Parental Guidance. A PG film
are mostly aimed at children aged around eight
or older. Parents should consider whether the
content may upset younger, or more sensitive,
children. They will not contain any theme
which is inappropriate for a child. PG works
can explore challenging issues such as
bullying, bereavement or racism.
4. 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12
seeing a 12A film at the cinema and 12 Stands for people
who are under 12 is not suitable to see this film or it means
they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over
the age of 12 .
5. 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. A 15 might include,
strong violence frequent strong language (e.g.'f***'),
portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex,
sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal
references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or
behavior, drug taking.
6. 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. Most 18s can contain strong
issues of, very strong violence, frequent strong
language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong
language (e.g. ‘c***’), strong portrayals of sexual
activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror,
strong blood and gore, real sex (in some
circumstances), discriminatory language and
behavior.
7. 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.
