Film Certificates

By Paige Livingston

How do certificates work?

• In order to protect children from harmful and unsuitable in films and videos and to provide viewers with information they might need about the film they are wishing to see, the BBFC examines and age rates films before they are released to the general public. Typically there will be two examiners that will view a film before its release and they will then review it and give their opinions of what certificate; then a senior examiner will either approve their opinion or decide on what they believe is more suitable for the film. Doing this then gives the film the authority to be released to the public.

What ratings are there?

• U• PG• 12A and 12• 15• 18• R18

What does U mean?

• U stands for universal and is aimed at viewers aged four and above. Although it can be impossible to predict what and how every individual will react to the movie of this rating.

What does PG mean?

• PG stands for Parental Guidance, this means the film is suitable for general viewing, however some scenes might not be suitable for young children.

What does 12A/12 mean?

• Films classified as 12A or 12 are certificated that because the content of the film is not suitable for children under 12. Anyone younger than 12 years old should not see the movie without parental supervision.

What does 15 mean?

• Films with a rating of 15; anyone under the age of 15 are not permitted permission to watch or rent content of this rating.

What does 18 mean?

• Films rated 18 are meant to be for adults eyes only, no one under the age of 18 is allowed to watch an 18 in the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated video/film.

What does R18 mean?

• The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification, all because of the explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.

• These rated movies are only shown in specially licensed cinemas and are never supplied by mail order.

Certificates in Period Dramas

The Young Victoria (2009)

• PG• This is because there are some nudity scenes,

cleavage and mention of pregnancy.• Violence is thrust upon the characters, for

example a gun gets pointed and there are some slammed doors.

• Alcohol is drunk occasionally and there is a man shot.

Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

• U• There are some rear female nudity scenes• A brief nude drawing featuring one of the

female characters• Man chocking another (used for laughs)• Use of “bastard” once• Adult drinking and smoking is involved

throughout

The King’s Speech (2010)

• 12 A• No sex or nudity was shown• The King’s speech relates to the act of war• King George Vis shown dead• Language for example: “f**k, s**t, balls, tits and

bastard” have been used plenty• Men drinking casually throughout• Main character smokes at least 10 times

throughout the film

Belle (2013)• 12 A• Language for example: “exotic flower” was used (white men

use black woman for sex)• Forceful grabbing was used throughout• 2 mild obscenities, 2 derogatory terms and 8 religious

exclamations were used• Drinking of wine took place• Implied sexual assault (not shown fully on screen)• Regular and repeat discrimination against the main female

character for example the use of the word “negro”• Descriptions about the treatment of slaves has been

mentioned

The Duchess (2008)

• 12 A• Sex scenes, only the heads are mainly visible and the

male characters upper body is shown, woman’s breast is also fully shown

• Brief scene of females nude behind• Intense sounds of love making is heard• Man rapes his wife• Clothed female in a sex scene, man is naked and thrusts

into her from underneath• Wine is drunk with most meals

In conclusion

To conclude the certifications for Period Drama’s, the majority of the examples that I looked at where given the certification of 12A and this is because of the fact that although there is mild nudity and profanity used throughout them, there is not enough to class it as a 15. However even though it’s certified as a 12, they still need their parents with them which concludes why there is the A.