BBFCGeorge Gammage

Introduction

The British Board of Film Classification 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.

For a film to be shown in Britain it has to pass through the BBFC’s film classification methods.

They hold full responsibility for who can buy and watch films, DVD’s and to some extent, video games.

Classifications

U-Universal U stands for universal which means this is suitable for all.

U rated films do not contain any strong language but allow for mild language.

There is no horror or sexual activity in U films but scary moments or kissing and cuddling but there will be no focus on sexual behaviour.

PG-Parental GuidanceA PG film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children

There may be mild bad language (‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) in a PG film, but the context and delivery are always important. For example if it is used aggressively it will be passed to the next category

References to sex are allowed as long as it lacks in detail

Horror should be no more than a few “jump” or scary moments

There should be no detail of violence and the viewer should not see how the injury was inflicted.

12A & 12

12A(for cinema only)Cinemas are only permitted to supply tickets to see a 12A-rated film to children under the age of 12 years if they are accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years.

12A and 12 films may contain strong language(such as f**k) as long as it is infrequent and not used in an aggressive tone.

12 films may have some sexual references but shouldn't go beyond what is unsuitable for young teenagers. Nudity should be kept brief.

12A & 12(Continued)

Violence should be kept moderate and not go into any detail, like blood or injuries. Gory moments may be allowed if they can be justified(Medical drama)

Discrimination should not be a theme for a 12 or 12A film.

Drug use should be minimal and not include detail

15No one under the age of 15 is permitted to view or buy a film classified 15.

The difference between a 12 and 15 is stronger violence, frequent strong language, sexual activity and references, nudity, brief sexual violence, discrimination and drug taking.

There is no limit on the amount of strong language is used although the strongest terms(c**t) can be used as long as not in an aggressive way.

A 15 should can have discrimination language but the whole film must endorse this.

Sexual activity can be portrayed as long as there is no great detail

15(Continued)

A 15 may involve nudity and movement but not in great detail, there can be strong sexual references and behaviour and heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.

Strong violence is allowed as long as it does not detail infliction of pain or gory images. Sadistic violence will not be passed as 15.

Portrayal of sexual violence will have to be kept discreet but references to it are fine.

Many horror films are 15 but the most goriest images are unlikely to be acceptable

18An 18 rated film should not be viewed or brought by anyone under the age of 18

No theme is prohibited as people 18 and over pick what entertainment they watch within law.

18’s contain very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, strong horror and discriminatory behaviour.

There is no restrictions on how much violence, language and sexual scenes for an 18 film.

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

18(Continued)

There is a point where the BBFC will not pass certain material if it breaches criminal law or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence, risks harm to individuals through their behaviour.

These reasons can lead to cuts from the film for it to be given a certificate or the film could be banned as a whole, a good example being “The human centipede part 2” however this film was later given an 18 certificate after cuts were made.

R18

R18 is a special category primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.

Adult licensed cinemas are only allowed to show R18 films while videos are only found in licensed sex shops.

This category requires more cuts than any other BBFC category.

Apocalypse

Our film “Apocalypse” will have the film classification of 15.

Reasons for this include threat, violence and some strong language.

This film just borderlines a 15 classification but due to including images of violence it has been given a 15 rather than a 12.