The document discusses UK film certificate ratings, describing the types of content permitted at each rating level: U - Suitable for all ages, very mild language/violence. PG - Parental guidance for ages 8+, mild language/violence. 12/12A - Moderate language/violence but no strong details. 15 - Strong language, more graphic violence but not extreme. 18 - Strongest language/violence/sex, aimed at adults only. The ratings system restricts increasingly graphic or mature content to older age groups. Comedies tend to be 15 or 18 rated due to crude humor, but some family comedies are PG or 12 rated.

1. Certificate ratings
By Emily Cherry.

2. U rating.
• A film rated U is suitable for audiences aged four years and over, the
symbol U stands for Universal.
• Bad language is very mild in films rated U and is used infrequently,
examples of these bad languages are ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.
• Intimacy between characters only consist of kissing and cuddling and may
have references to sexual behaviour, however there would be no overt
focus on the sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.
• Violence in a U film is very mild, they will include brief fight scenes or
moments where characters are placed in danger. However moments of
threat or emotional threats will be resolved quickly and the outcome will
be comforting.

3. PG rating.
• PG stands for Parental Guidance. A film with this certificate is suitable for general viewing
however some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Parents should consider
whether the content may upset or unsettle their child. This rating is usually for children aged
eight and older.
• A PG film can explore issues such as bullying and racism but will not contain any theme which
is inappropriate for a child.
• Mild language such as ‘shit’ and ‘son of a bitch’ is used but the context and delivery is
important, if the language is used aggressively of if there is a great deal of language the work
may be passed for a higher category and higher certificate rating.
• Sex references are very unlikely unless they are infrequent and un-detailed, references and
innuendos may be included if a child is unlikely to understand it.
• Mild violence may be used but no detail would be shown. There may be blood but the
audience would not see how the injury was inflicted, especially in strong detail.

4. 12 and 12A rating
• The 12 rating is a simpler system for retailers this means they cannot sell or rent the item
unless the customer is over the age of 12 whereas 12A requires an adult to accompany the
child to go see the film at the cinema.
• Strong language such as ‘f***’ may pass for a 12 or 12A depending on how it’s used and who
is using the language. Moderate language such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ can be used for 12 and
12A.
• Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is
condemned clearly especially homophobic and racist terms.
• Discreet and brief nudity can be shown if it’s in a sexual context and crude sex references
and innuendos are unlikely to be accepted in this category. Sex can be portrayed discreetly
and briefly.
• 12A allows moderate violence but doesn’t show it in much detail, it does not emphasis on
injuries or blood but some gory moments may be permitted if justified by their context.
(blood in a medical drama).

5. 15 rating
• Anyone who is 15 or above can buy/rent a film rated 15 and can also see it in
cinema, it is not suitable for children who are under 15 years of age.
• Strong language can be used a lot and even the strongest of terms can be used
depending on the manner in which it is used and who is using the language.
Aggressive language would not be passed for a 15 rating.
• Racism, homophobic and other discriminatory language is used but language and
behaviour should not be endorsed.
• Sex scenes can be long in this category but usually without strong detail, also
nudity may be allowed in a sexual content but once again no strong detail.
• The violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.
Strong brutal violent is unlikely to be acceptable and also strong gory images.
• Rape or sexual assault must be discreet and justified by context.

6. 18 rating
• No one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at cinema or buy/rent and are definitely not
suitable for children, 18 rated is normally for adults 18 and above.
• There is no limit of the language, the language is often very strong and is used a number of
times, uses of these languages can be aggressive, directed, frequent and accompanied by
strong violence.
• Racism and homophobic or other discriminatory language can be used also strong and
detailed portrayals of sex including full nudity is shown.
• There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could
explore themes relating to discrimination.
• Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18.
• Violence can be strong and can show a lot of strong detail, dwelling on the infliction of the
pain and injury occurs as well, even the strongest gory images can be permitted in this
category.
• However drug taking can be shown but does not promote or encourage drug misuse in any
way.

7. Movies with certificate ratings.

8. How do the certificate ratings effect
the genre chosen?
• Most comedy films nowadays are mainly rated
15 or 18, this is due to the crude remarks,
sexual references and the language used.
However some comedy films are family
orientated so they can also be PG or rated 12.