The BBFC is the independent British Board of Film Classification that has been classifying films since 1912 and videos/DVDs since 1984. Examiners review films and assign age ratings based on content involving issues like discrimination, drugs, horror, violence and sex. Films are rated U, PG, 12A, 12, 15 or 18 with restrictions on who can view depending on the rating. The BBFC has the power to ban films that may cause harm or if their content is in conflict with UK law. For the film The Descent, the BBFC took a lenient approach by not explicitly showing the death of a child character, allowing it to receive a 15 rating rather than an 18.

1. The BBFC: The Descent
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-
governmental body, which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912
and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984. The
British Board of Film Censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an
independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film
nationally. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may
overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films we reject, banning films we
have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories
for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction. The BBFC is a non-
profitable organization, and its fees are adjusted only to cover its costs. In order
to preserve its independence, the BBFC never receives subsidies from either the
film industry or the government. The BBFC often update the rules every 10
years. This is done for the benefit of the public as sometimes opinions have
changed and some content might be looked at more leniently.
Certificates
Prior to a films release it is sent to two BBFC examiners who then review the
content. Examiners look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable
behavior, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when
making decisions. Checking them to find out weather they are following legal
legislation, appropriate content use and eventually agree on an age rating
Certificate.
A ‘U” rating means that the film is suitable for all to view. (Finding
Nemo, Shrek, Despicable me)
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general
viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film
should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. (Home alone, Maleficent
A film that is given a 12A rating is only given to films in cinemas and only
allows people over 12 to view the film, unless accompanied by an adult.
(Fast and Furious and Avengers)
For a certificate 12 rated film you can only view when you’re over 12 with
no exceptions. (Woman in black, Superhero movie)
For a certificate 15 rated film you can only view when you’re over 15 with
no exceptions. And sometimes may be asked to show ID to view.
(American Pie, Fast and the Furious)
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. (Just for adults) (Gangs of New York, Borat)

2. Legal Acts
Obscene Publication Act (OPC) an act to amend the law relating to the
publication of obscene matter; to provide for the protection of literature; and to
strengthen the law concern pornography. Since the BBFC are an independent
body they have to ask for fees to be charged by distributors and sometimes
might need to be on set to make sure scenes are appropriate and there is no
mistreatment of the actors/actresses. This legislation is put in place to protect
the people
Child Protection Act (CPA) this is an act where they protect children from in
decent exposure in films, games and form of media. This is done to prevent
certain films from showing disturbing or sexual content of children. Might be
protocols put in place as well for administrators to be present on set. Also the
child must only work up to 4 hours and must be kept or given some form of
education while filming takes place.
Video Recording Act (VRA) The key aim of the VRA was to ensure that a
recognised authority approved all video recordings available in the UK.
The British Board of Film Censors was designated the official video classifier, a
decision that gave it statutory powers for the first time in its history.
Offences:
 Supplying or offering to supply an unclassified video work
 Possession of an unclassified video work for the purposes of
supply
 Supplying or offering to supply recordings of classified works in
breach of the classification
 Supplying or offering to supply a work otherwise than in a
licensed sex shop
 Supplying or offering to supply a video recording not complying
with the Video Recording (labeling) Regulations 1985
 Supplying or offering to supply a video recording containing a false
indication as to classification
Impact of BBFC
The BBFC have the ability to ban whether the material is in conflict with the law,
or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. Whether the
material, either on its own, or in combination with other content of a similar
nature, may cause any harm at the age rating concerned. This includes not just
any harm that may result from the behaviour of potential viewers, but also any
‘moral harm’ that may be caused by, for example, desensitising a potential viewer
to the effects of violence, degrading a potential viewer’s sense of empathy,
encouraging a dehumanised view of others, suppressing pro-social attitudes,
Only licenced user can distribute content rated R18, which is things like
pornography and other forms of consensual adult content.

3. encouraging anti-social attitudes, reinforcing unhealthy fantasies, or eroding a
sense of moral responsibility. If any of these are shown in any film examined by
the BBFC it may be at risk of getting band or some of the scenes within them
being forcefully cut out. Films that have been banned from being screened in the
UK may contain sexual violence, torcher porn and messages against God. Some of
these films had grotesque titles like: ‘My Daughters a Cocksucker’, ‘The Texas
Vibrator Massacre’ and ‘The Human Centipede 2’ not exactly the ideal titles that
would attract audiences!
Banned films UK:
 The Evil Dead (1981)
 The Exorcist (1973)
 The Human Centipede (2011)
 I Spit On Your Grave (2010)
 Cannibal Holocaust (1984)
 Grotesque (2009)
 Mikey (1992)

The Descent
For a film like The Descent what the BBFC does for this film is being quiet
lenient, as a scene in the movie pushes them in considering whether or not to
scrap the film. This controversial scene was the death of Sarah’s daughter, which
could have easily crossed the no depiction of dead youth act in films. However
the film saved it self by not showing the metal bar penetrate the girls body and
just showing a little blood splatter, which helped minimize the portrayal of a
child dying and was seen as being acceptable but worthy of a certificate 15 not
an 18 rating for its portrayal of all out gore and a cluster phobic atmospheric feel.
This is expressed In scenes like the one where Holly sustains a broken leg, which
graphically shows her protruding bone that they then have to intensely try to
push back in. that scene would usually leave most audience on edge and might
make them cringe a little. This type of violence may be strong but should not
dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. However eventually the Descent did go
uncut.
The legal permissions The Descent took was to use things like royalty free music
(non-copyright) and to show and to use products that they had deals to use them
in the films as product placements from the likes of Coors beer and Land Rover,
which enables them to avoid copyright infringement issues.