Film Classification and the BBFC

So we finally have a proper substantial piece of work to, at the very least, show off. We are definitely past the half way point of the work into completing this study on Thrillers. There are just a few more things to get done before saying we are finished. This is our next research piece. This time we are covering film classification.

This piece of research doesn't specifically relate to Thrillers; instead it covers every film released in cinemas and on DVD. I'll be enlightening you on a classifying system that you will almost definitely recognise if you watch films (which I'm fairly certain you do), as well as the organisation that supplies them.

I'm going to cover two different questions in this research piece, and answer them for you, hopefully in a useful way. So here we have our possible final piece of research for this strand of the media. Enjoy and discover!

1. What is the BBFC?

"The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984." Quote from the BBFC's official website

This here is the organisation that I was referring to at the start. This is the company that is primarily responsible for film classification even existing in the first place. 

The BBFC is an acronym for The British Board of Film Classification. This organisation has been around since back in 1912 when it, back then called the British Board of Film Censoring, was created by the film industry to assist councils across Britain with the organisation of classification of cinema films. Whilst making the job of classification far easier, the council's view still superseded theirs, and the final decisions on film ratings still belonged to councils.

The BBFC itself is a solely independent organisation, meaning they don't have any ties whatsoever to any other company, including both the government and the film industry that first set them up. They also do not seek profit for their work, only charging the necessary money fees to cover the costs of their work.

This kept up until 1984 when a document called 'The Video Recordings Act' was passed by the government. What this act basically entailed was that all DVDs, as well as films, that were put on sale or given for hire had to be first classified by selected authority. It was here that the President and Vice President of the BBFC were designated to be this authority and the organisation's name was changed to what it is currently known as.

Since then the BBFC has been responsible for classifying every film that has ever made it onto the big screen or been burned onto a disc. Indeed DVD film that you've bought in your life (unless it's been pirated) has probably been classified by the BBFC.

2. What is Film Classification and how are Films Classified?

Ok, technically I was lying. It is in fact three questions that I'm answering, but these two are similar to each other so it's better to cover them in the same question. Either way...

As for how the films are classified by the BBFC.

Put in very simple terms, Film Classification is a means of rating and grouping movies and other media into set brackets, for how suitable they are for the audiences watching. The brackets are based more on age, and the running time of the film, as opposed to film genre.

As to the way the BBFC classifies films, the company itself has a set of guidelines for classification that are used when evaluating. The process varies for films and DVDs. Both have their classifications decided by examiners. For films released in cinemas there are at least two examiners that evaluate the film, for DVDs normally only one, seeing as most films that become DVDs have already been released in cinema, and thus been already evaluated.

As I said before, the BBFC has set guidelines for film classification but since this is my own words I just have some basic guidelines as to how examiners classify films. The detailed guidelines, if you want them, can be found on the BBFC website but in shorter, more digestible terms, the examiners make the decision for the classification based off of factors in the film such as:

- The tone and impact of the film

- The film's genre

- Ethnicity

- Sexual content and nudity

- Profanity and drugs

- Violence and horrific content

There are a total of 5 major film classifications that I'm certain you recognise from film posters, DVD cases and advertisements. Each suitability rating corresponds to certain age brackets, getting more restricted as you keep going. They are, in order:

U - Universal -
All ages (above age 4)

This rating is the most widely varied in terms of audience. The U certificate is the lowest age rating applied to films, and as such is used on the safest films content wise. U films are either absent of any dark theme, or if they do the themes are filtered and softened to be lighthearted and cheery.

That doesn't mean U films are aimed specifically at young audiences. There are several U films that are aimed at adults but classed as U because of their content still being suitable for all ages.

For this reason things like drug references are omitted unless the film includes things relating to anti-drugs. Violence and danger are filtered and softened down to be lighthearted and humourous. Only the very mildest profanity is present and the only references to sex and intimacy are things such as hugging and kissing.

Often films classed as U include some sense of meaning, or have life lessons implemented into their plots. Since U films are primarilly what children watch, since they are too young to be allowed to watch high rated films, they often have a positive feel and, as I've already said, often contain life lessons for the young audiences to take in and learn.

PG - Parental Guidance -

All ages but young audiences require parent consideration before they can watch.

One of only two certificates with age ratings that have exceptions to them.

PG is still aimed at yound audiences, but looks more into adult themes than U dos, and has more films that are more suitable for adults. These films are suitable for independent viewing past age 8.

Unlike U films, PG films do explore into darker themes such as violence, drugs and sexual intimacy, just provided the film portrays in in an appropriate way and isn't upsetting to younger audiences.

PG films allow more leniance when talking about certain topics. Elements such as violence and sexual intimacy are allowed provided it is mild and doesn't go into detail, such as visible blood but nothing visible of the injury. Drugs are allowed to be refernced as long as they aren't strong plot elements, and mild profanity is allowed as long as it's used properly and minimally.

The issue with PGs is waryness of plot elements, stunts or pieces of the plot that young children may be tempted to copy. For this reason any elements that are dangerous for children to copy are ommitted from PGs to minimize the risk, and any weapons present in PGs aren't glamourised in any shape or way.


12A & 12 - Ages 12 or Higher -
Ages 12 and above, but in the case of 12As they can be viewed by younger adiences if accompanied by an adult. The 12A certificate is only used for cinema releases while 12 is only used for DVDs.

This is the only other certificate that allows exceptions to it's age rating, or at least in the case of 12A. These films are unsuitable for very young audiences due to them moving more towards the adult spectrum.

How films get a 12 or 12A rating is vastly more dependant of the film's tone as well as its content, and the this is often the determining factor as to whether films become 12s/12As or 15s in a higher bracket, especially if the tone is dark.

Action sequences and fight scenes are far more present in this bracket, along with injury and occasional gore, provided the latter is justified in one way or another. It's also in this bracket that the mildest horror films are included.

12s/12As permit more visible intimacy and mild nudity in the films provided it isn't frequent, and the same goes for profanity, allowing for infrequent use of strong language. Drugs and dangerous behaviour are also present but neither element is glamourised or put in a positive light. racism and discrimination is still omitted.



15 - Ages 15 or Higher -

Although 15s may seem to be not that different from 12s/12As, there is in fact quite a considerable difference in allowed content. 15s are far more lenient with suitable content than the previous certificate/s and veer completely away from audiences below the teenage years, being more focused on adults.

To make this difference apparent, a single 15 rated movie can have one or several of the following: Frequent strong language, numerous sexual references as well as sexual violence and uncensored nudity, strong violence and use of drugs, and discriminatory behavior or language.

15s do have their limitations however. Whilst there isn't a limit on use of strong language, there is on  the strongest phrases and overuse isn't permitted. Discrimination, sexism and racism are allowed but not to be encouraged. Sexual content doesn't contain any boundaries, unless it goes into great detail; violence is allowed but extreme gory scenes, as well as sadistic or sexualised violence isn't permitted in a 15; and drug use is permitted but not allowed to be encouraged.

There is also the risk of copyable elements of the films, particularly for teenagers, that are dangerous in real life. As a side note, this age certificate is also where you'll find the majority of your horror films.


18 - Ages 18 or Higher -

This is the highest rating that can be given to any film released, and is also the strictest viewing wise. 18 rated films are not allowed to be viewed at cinemas or bought/rented by anyone under age 18, period. They are are fully aimed towards adults.

Since adults are deemed responsible for what they choose to view, there is no prohibition on 18s as to what they contain. That means anything goes: any form of violence or horror and the presence of blood and gore, no limitation on profanity or drug use, sexual violence, strong sexual references and occasionally real sex, as well as no limitation on discrimination.

The only possible limitations that an 18 rated film are elements that can have an impact on society. things like glamorisation of weapons, drugs, violence or, elements that may make immoral or unethical issues such as discrimination or segregation, rape or suicide look appealing, or where the material in the film is in violation of the law.

There is also one other higher certificate that doesn't really count as a major film rating and that is R18

R18 is a legally restricted classification that is only ever applied to films where sex is a revolving plot element. Any 18 films with detailed or unjustified forms of sex are classed as R18. R18s are specifically designed to be used for sexual arousal and can only be viewed at licensed cinemas and can only be bought in sex shops. For good reason this rating is kept away from public search online, and is never shown in public cinemas.


The website for the British Board of Film Classification + Where I obtained the images from