BBFC film regulation

British Board of Film Classification








U stands for universal and is an appropriate film for viewing by all ages, those younger than 4 inparticular, in accordance with the law. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range. This category allows only for infrequent, covert implications of what would be seen in films of a higher category.

PG stands for parental guidance, allowing the film to be viewed by the general populace in accordance with the law. Films in this category should not unsettle a child around 8 or older, however, it may be unsuitable for children around the age of 4 and below. This category allows parents to judge whether or not the film is suitable for their child to watch. Also, this category often aims to explore more challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism and allows for mild bad language such as sh*t but must be infrequent and is heavily reliant upon the context in which it is said as well as taking a similar stance on violence. This category, much like the U category, does not allow anything other than the vaguest of venereal references.

12A is the category that allows children under 12 to watch the film provided there is an adult there to supervise/authorise said 12 year old to do so. 12 means that no child under 12 can see this film under any circumstances. The BBFC's guidelines state that strong language, such as f***, is dependent upon the context in which it is said whilst it must remain infrequent, it also helps if moderate strong language, see PG example, may be used without contextual red tape. Discriminatory language is only allowed to be used if it is openly and clearly condemned. Venereal topics must be brief and vague and is dependent upon the context, the safest context for it to be used in, in 12A and 12 films, is comedy. Nudity is heavily contextual in this category and is only allowed in 12A films if it is "brief and discreet" whilst sexual references are treated the same regardless of sexuality. In this category, relatively frequent violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail such as emphasis on injuries or blood, though occasional gory moments can be permitted if they can sufficiently justify the context (e.g. brief sight of a bloody injury in a medical drama). Despite the requirement that they may not go into detail with injuries and wounds, fight scenes may be conducted at length, though any weapons that are easily accessible must not be glamorised or the films risk being graded as a 15. Venereal violence is also a no.

15 means that the minimum age requirement for the film is, you guessed it, 15. In this category, no themes are prohibited so long as the themes treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Watching a 15 film means that you run the risk of seeing

  strong violence

 frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').

  portrayals of sexual activity

  strong verbal references to sex

  sexual nudity

  brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

  discriminatory language or behaviour

  drug taking

(This list was taken from the BBFC website)There is no cap on the quantity or quality of strong language used in a 15 film. Racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language or behaviour. However, the film is under no circumstances, in accordance with the law, allowed to endorse said discriminatory language or behaviour. Venereal activity can be shown but must not go into detail whilst educational and non-sexual nudity can be shown with impunity. Sexual references and activity must be treated the same regardless of sexuality. Violence may be shown with impunity. Drugs are also allowed to be shown but must not be shown to promote or encourage said behaviours and must not be drugs that are easily accessible to 15 year olds, such as aerosols or solvents. Venereal violence is the only no for 15 films.

 

 

 

18; adults only in accordance with the law. No theme is prohibited as 18 year olds are supposedly smart enough to think for themselves, as they're so much smarter then 17 year olds. It is almost certain that you will see at least several of the following (again from the BBFC):

 



very strong violence

  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)

  strong portrayals of sexual activity

  scenes of sexual violence

  strong horror

  strong blood and gore

  real sex (in some circumstances)

  discriminatory language and behaviour

No limitations on language used. Discriminatory language can be used with impunity but must not under any circumstances breach the law.

There may be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18. An 18 film or video might also contain depictions of real sex, as long as the film or video is not a sex work(basically, pornography with plot)which would require it to be rated as an R18 film. Violence and subsequent wounds and injuries may be shown with impunity, this includes venereal violence. Strong horror and gore are permitted. All forms of drugs can be shown within this category, however, this cannot be encouraged or promoted within the films as it must be in accordance with the law.

The only things outright banned from 18 films are as follows(from the BBFC website)

1. where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
2.   where material or treatment appears to us to risks harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual violence which might, for example, make rape look appealing, reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence.
3.   where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in R18 works and, in ‘sex works’, would normally be confined to that category.

 

 

 

The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops.