The document discusses film classification in the UK and debates surrounding certain films receiving a 12A rating. It provides background on the 12A classification and examples of films like Spiderman, The Dark Knight, and Casino Royale that received complaints but were rated 12A. While some viewers argued certain films were inappropriate for those under 12, the classification boards stood by their 12A ratings due to minimal graphic content and the fact that far more people saw the films than lodged complaints. The document also discusses the need to consider how viewers, especially children, could be influenced by themes in films.

1. Film classification
12A debate

2. 12A
• The 12A classification only exists for films that are shown
in the cinema.
• It was introduced in 2002, for The Bourne Identity, which
was the first film to be classified a 12A.
• There was much debate surrounding the classification of
Spiderman in 2002, as the characters and storyline were
originally conceived with younger children in mind.
• It was made a 12A, and over 200 people complained to the
bbfc. However, in comparison to the millions of people that
went to see it, this figure is very small.

3. Film classification
• From the point of view of the distributor, they want as
many people as possible to see and enjoy their film.
• This means creating a film that still entices and excites
the target audience, without being mundane or
inappropriate.
• I think that kids nowadays are growing up a lot faster,
and therefore I fully support the 12A classification, as
it allows parents to decide for themselves whether a
certain film is appropriate for their children.

4. The dark knight
• The Dark Knight, like Spiderman, was adapted from comic
books, originally aimed at younger readers, and therefore
younger viewers.
• It was given a 12A rating, and the bbfc stood by their decision,
and the rating was never changed. They argued that the majority
of violence took place off-screen, but many viewers complained
that the Joker character was psychopathic and sadistic, whereas
previous Batman Villains were surreal.
• However, compared to how many people went to see it, and the
estimated $1,001,921,825 final gross, the complaints had little
or no effect on the film’s final success.

5. Recent controversies
• The Human centipede trilogy caused a lot of controversy in
2009 when the first film was released.
• The film was originally banned, but 32 cuts later, the bbfc
decided it was fit for release under the 18 classification.
• The bbfc commented: "There is little attempt to portray
any of the victims in the film as anything other than objects
to be brutalised, degraded and mutilated for the
amusement and arousal of the central character, as well as
for the pleasure of the audience."

6. Casino Royale
• Upon classifying Casino Royale as a 12A, the bbfc
received the most complaints about a single film
there has ever been.
• The bbfc decided upon this classification for ‘one
scene of torture and several scenes of moderate
violence.’
• Personally, I believe the 12A classification was
justified and I don’t think it was too inappropriate for
viewers under 12.

7. General classification
• It is important that films are able to reach the widest possible
audiences that are suitable for the themes included.
• However, one must remember how easily people, especially
young children can be influenced by the media, especially
films.
• It’s not always the physical things that are being portrayed in
films, but also the ideas that are put forward, such as
discrimination, which can have a harmful effect on younger
viewers.
• It needs to be taken into consideration how literally ideas,
characters, and themes can be taken by certain viewers.