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Film certification
The British Board of Film Classification is responsible for classifying films shown in the UK into one of seven age ratings based on the film's content. Films are rated Universal, Parental Guidance, 12A, 12, 15, 18, or Restricted 18 depending on factors like language, sex, violence, and substance use. The document provides details on the content restrictions and guidelines for each rating level.
Film certification
- 1.
- 2. The British Boardof Film Classification is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry. It is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom.
- 3. Films are classifiedinto one of a possible seven certificates, depending on the movie content: • Universal • Parental Guidance • 12A • 12 • 15 • 18 • Restricted 18
- 4. UNIVERSAL All ages admitted,there is nothing unsuitable for children. • Only allows very mild bad language such as ‘damn’ ‘hell’ and occasionally ‘bloody’ or ‘bugger’, where justified by the context. • Characters can be seen kissing and cuddling, however there will be no obvious hints of sexual behaviour or innuendo. • May include brief fight scenes or moments when characters are placed in danger. However, any anxiety a viewer will feel will be quickly resolved and the outcome will help to calm them down. • There may be brief scary scenes, but as with the violent scenes, there will be a pleasant outcome. • References to illegal drugs or drug misuse will not normally be used, unless there is a clear anti-drug message which is easily understood by a younger audience.
- 5. PARENTAL GUIDANCE All agesadmitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children. • Mild bad language is allowed, but context and delivery is very important. • Sexual references are allowed if the activity talked about or shown is implied and lacking in detail. • There can be no violence described in detail. For example, if blood is shown then how the injury occurred is not seen. • Some ‘jump’ moments and scary scenes, but realistic violent/scary scenes should not be prolonged. • There might be innocuous or passing references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse in a PG work, although there should not be an obvious focus on drugs and their use.
- 6. 12A (ACCOMPANIED) • 12Ameans that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. • 12A is for films at the cinema only. • Strong language is allowed, however it must be used rarely. Context of strong language is important. • Sex may be briefly and inconspicuously portrayed at 12A. There may be nudity but a lot of sex references are unlikely to be accepted for this category. • Some horror movies can fall under this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing sequences are not too frequent or sustained. • Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self- harming may be present in 12A works, but it is important that these ideas are not dwelled upon. • There may also be one or two references/sights of drug misuse in a 12A, but the act of taking drugs should not be embellished.
- 7. 12 Video release suitablefor 12 years and over. In order for a film to achieve the 12 certificate, it will follow the same guidelines as that of a 12A certificate.
- 8. 15 • No-one under15 is allowed to see a 15 rated film or buy a 15 rated DVD. • A large amount of strong language, however, continued use of the strongest bad language will not normally be passed at 15. • There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language. • Sexual activity can be portrayed as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. • Nudity may be allowed in sexual content but is not shown in strong detail, and there are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. • Strong violence can be seen, however infliction of the injury and the strongest of gory images are unlikely to be allowed. • At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
- 9. 18 • No limitson strong language or even very strong language. • There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18. • There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. • Violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. There may even be dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence. • Drug taking is shown, however as with other certificates, drug taking must not be promoted. • The strongest horror works are passed at 18, they may contain strong horror, gore or sustained threat and menace which exceeds the boundaries of 15.
- 10. RESTRICTED 18 • The‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. • Films that fall under this certificate can only be sold in licensed sex shops and shown in specially licensed cinemas. • R18 works are sex works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation.