Research into age certificates and the BBFC. Miss Georgiou

The BBFC stands for the British board of film classification. It is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the classification and censorship of films within  the UK. It has a requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the latest Video Recordings Act of 2010. "An Act to repeal and revive provisions of the Video Recordings Act 1984." This new act means the BBFC can classify films under UK and EU law.

The BBFC was founded in 1912 after the an Act was passes that all videos and films made had to have licences in 1909. However back then films had to be a lot less risky. Directors wouldn't dream of making  a film with violence or sex. Films ended up being pulled for being meaningless.

In world war two, government decided to get involved with the BBFC as films played a big part in propaganda. They wanted to influence the public in the cinema so more British promoting films were allowed while any films to do with Nazis or the Soviet union was turned down.

The age certificates have stayed roughly the same for the past 30 years. The first certificates were only adult and universal. The full history of certificates can be found here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_British_film_certificates#1912.E2.80.931932

The current certificates are as follows

The first certificate is the U and this is normally suitable for 4 years and older as children under 4 are to unpredictable to react to things however it is up to the parent to decide about that. U stands for universal and is normally happy and animated, there is no swearing and no use of sex drugs or violence. violence is normally comical. Typical U films are like Disney films such as finding nemo.

The next certificate is PG which stands for parental guidance. Once again parents can decide if their child can watch it however it shouldn't really disturb anyone over the age of 8. All themes are allowed in PGs however it has to be very minimal including drugs and violence being kept at a low. Some minor swear words are allowed also. Typical PG films include Narnia, Tron and the Simpson's movie.

12 certificate means that children over the age of 12 can see this movie. Strong language may be used in the film but mainly for comedy purposes. Sex references are also allowed but not to verbal and body scenes should be minimal. However more moderate violence is allowed but the film should not be based around that. The introduction of 12A was brought in by the new spiderman film in 2009. The director wanted it to be a 12 but it wasn't quite there even after cuts and it was too weak to be a 15. So 12 with adult advisory was brought in. 12 and 12A films include Harry Potter and night at the museum.



The next certificate is for children aged 15 or above. All themes are also allowed in this category. Swear words are more common, sexual activity is present and can doesn't have to be an innuendo. Drug taking is also allowed. Weapons are not glamorised but strong violence can be used but not as much blood. Most horrors can now be shown however not too gory. Most suspense fuelled horrors. 15 rated films include Friends with benefits and insidious.

 18 certificate films are for adults only. Adults are allowed to pick their own entertainment in accordance to the law so you may find many things in an 18 such as very strong language and gore. Strong scenes of sex and drug use and discrimination can be used. Things that are not in an 18 film are materials that break the law, Something that does not have a good public moral or something that can damage society and sexual works such as pornography. Pornograpghy falls into the category of R18 which contains sexual stimulative activity and can only be accessed privately. 18 films include The God father and die hard.


The latest change to the certificates comes as late as 2009 were the 'Uc' certificate was taken out.

Over the years more and more has become acceptable in films, not only have the BBFC had to move with the law (E.G legalisation of homosexuality) but it has had to move with cultural changes and acceptances with society. The introduction of the Internet makes the world a small place and more things are now excepted. People see death drugs and pornography as normal in adult films now were as 40 years ago, it would of been unheard of to show such things in a film.