2. U
• The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable
for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is
impossible to predict what might upset a particular child,
especially at this lower end of the category range.
• We wont be rating our thriller a U due to
research no thrillers are ‘U’s
3. PG
• PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a
film is suitable for general viewing, but some
scenes may be unsuitable for younger
children. A PG film should not disturb a child
aged around eight or older. Parents should
consider whether the content might upset
younger or more sensitive children.
4. 12 + 12a
12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and
see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for
'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger
than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied
by an adult (e.g someone over the age of 18), who
must watch the film with them. 12A means that
anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film
unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied'
and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see
the film if they are accompanied by an adult (e.g
someone over the age of 18), who must watch the
film with them.
5. 15
No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’
rated DVD. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.
Is 15 really stronger than 12A?
• Yes. 15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could
include any of the following:
• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg '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 behaviour
• drug taking
6. 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 DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.
What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or DVD?
• 18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’)
• strong portrayals of sexual activity
• scenes of sexual violence
• strong horror
• strong blood and gore
• real sex (in some circumstances)
• discriminatory language and behaviour
7. 18R
What does R18 mean?
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. ‘R18’ videos may not be supplied by
mail order.
8. What we might do?
• For our thriller film I think we might use a 12a
for the rating this is because we wont be using
much dialogue so there wont be any bad
language, however because it’s a thriller it
wouldn’t fit the category for a PG or U rating.
