The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the United Kingdom’s film and video regulator, which provides age ratings to inform its audiences about the availability of a film to them. The organisation is a designated body, and therefore has legal powers to rate, and occasionally cut and reject works. It was established in 1912 by several members of the film industry, in order to manage their own censorship, in oppose to the government doing so. The first time the BBFC began operating, was on the 1st January 1913, under the Cinematography Act 1909. The board’s legal basis was the Cinematography Act, which required all cinemas to be licenced under the Act, in order to operate. This was mainly for safety purposes, as it was common that nitrate fires would break out in unsuitable venues, due to a lack of restriction.
In terms of films that are shown in cinemas, local authorities have the final legal authorisation over who can view which film. However, a lot of the time local authorities accept the board’s recommendation for the certificate of a film.
Below is a list of the current certificates:
U - A ‘U’ rated film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and above. They should be set with a positive framework, and any discriminatory behaviour, sex, bad language threat and violence is typically not included.
PG - A Parental Guidance film is a general viewing; however some scenes may be unsuitable for your children. When a film is rated with a PG certificate, it should not upset viewers from ages eight and above. Accompanied children of any other age are welcome; consequently, parents must consider whether the film is suitable for the child.
12A - Audiences from the age of twelve and above are welcome to watch 12A films. Parents accompanying a child to a 12A film must consider whether the content is suitable for the child. It is very important that parents do accompany their children if they are under the age of 12, as the cinema could lose their licence if they are not being supervised. Scenes of strong language and references to sex may be included, but should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Moderate violence is acceptable, and some horror films are given this particular certificate.
12 - This certificate is very similar to that of the certificate above, where no children under the age of twelve shall be admitted to any exhibition. However, as children cannot definitely be accompanied by an adult outside of viewings, it is permitted to only sell a 12 film to persons of this age and above.
15 - Strictly viewers aged fifteen and above can view films that have a 15 rated certificate. In terms of the themes involved there are no restrictions, and there is no limit to the amount of strong language that is used within the film. A 15 rated film may also contain scenes of strong language, violence, sexual nudity and drug taking. However, any scenes of sexual nudity will not be very detailed.
18 - No one under the age of eighteen is allowed to buy, rent, or watch films with this certificate. No themes are prohibited with this certificate, as adults should be free to choose their own entertainment – bearing in mind that it is not illegal or harmful content. As a result, some of the themes that are covered in 18 films may include; strong violence, gore, strong horror, etc. Drug taking may also be included; however it must in no way be promoted or portrayed as something that should be done.
R18 - This certificate is legally restricted, containing strong fetish material and explicit sexual scenes. Films may only be shown in licenced cinemas to adults, and video works may be sold to adults only in licenced sex shops. These films are not permitted to be sold online.
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