Wednesday 30 December 2015

Age Certificate Analysis



Age film ratings categorise films from their content so that only a certain age range can view certain films. This is important as it stops young children watching violent and sexually explicit films. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is responsible for the classifications and censorship of films within the UK.

Universal - U

The U symbol stands for Universal and means that it is suitable for an audience of four years and older. U films do now contain high levels of violence but will allow for very mild violence such as a quick fight scene. Also U films will not contain sexual behaviour or strong language, however the BBFC do allow for kissing, cuddling and infrequent use of very mild bad language such as ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.

Examples of U rated films - Ice Age, Despicable Me, Up, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Wild, WALL-E and Toy Story.


Parental Guidance - PG

PG, or Parental Guidance, films are suitable for audiences above the age of around eight years old. Children younger than eight should have permission by their parents or must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to avoid film content upsetting viewers. Mild bad language, such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’, may be allowed in a PG category film however if the bad language is used too frequently or is said in a aggressive manner than the film may be classed as a higher age rating.

Examples of PG rated films - Home Alone, Elf, Big Hero 6, The Grinch, Into the Woods, Brave, Tomorrowland and Minions.


Accompanied by an adult / Suitable for 12 years and over - 12A / 12


12A is similar to 12 rated films however 12A films require any child under the age of 12 to be accompanied by an adult when seeing the film. 12A is typically used is cinemas and theatres; the accompany of an adult is enforced by staff members but at home it cannot be enforced as much. This is the reason why DVD’s and Blu-ray’s have the 12 certificate rather than the 12A certificate. Strong language such as ‘fuck’ and ‘bitch’ can be present in a 12 of 12A film however, aggressive uses of strong language may result in the film being rated as a higher age rating. Sexual behaviour can be briefly shown in a 12 or 12A however verbal references to sex is not suitable for this age rating. Sometimes verbal references to sex may be allowed if used for a comedic purpose. Any uses of discriminatory behaviour or language against sex, race, sexuality, religion, disability ect..., will not pass for a 12A and 12 rated film.

Examples of 12A and 12 rated films - The Martian, Ant-Man, Maze Runner, Jurassic World, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek Into Darkness, Interstellar and Everest.


Suitable for 15 years and over - 15


A 15 rated film is only suitable for an audience over the age of 15 and can contain strong violence, strong language, sexual nudity, discriminatory behaviour and language and used of drugs. 15’s are allowed to show people taking drugs but may not be allowed to show misuse of drugs or highly dangerous substances such as aerosols and solvents. In a 15 film, there is no limit to how many times they can use strong language such as ‘fuck’ and ‘bitch’, however they can only occasionally use what the BBFC rate as the strongest term - ‘cunt’. If the strongest term is used frequently or in an aggressive manner then the film could be put in a higher age rating category.

Examples of a 15 rated film - The Hangover, Zombieland, The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Step Brothers, Due Date, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, Kick-Ass and Jackass.


Suitable only for adults - 18


An 18 rated film will contain similar content to a 15 but will be allowed to use as much strong language, discriminatory terms, portrayal of sex, nudity, and uses of drugs. Even though 18 are allowed to use as much nudity and non-sexual education content - 18 films can fully be just a sex film. 18 films are rarer than U, PG, 12A, 12 and 15 as the majority of people don’t prefer to watch films with considerably more violence, sex strong language.

Examples of an 18 rated film – Sin City, Saw, Fifty Shades of grey, Spring Breakers and The Human Centipede.


Restricted - R18

Restricted 18 is a special category that is rarely seen but is used to classify very explicit sex scenes or strong fetish material. R18 films can be shown in specific licensed cinemas.


Unknown A - Level Media

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