BBFC / Age Certificates (Miss Hartt)

BBFC

The BBFC stands for the British Boards of Film Classification and it is used to restrict certain age groups from viewing different kinds of thriller films due to how inappropriate it is. Regulation is so important because for example if a 12 year old child was watching a movie rated 15 that has alot of fighting and voilence in it, the 12 year old can easily get influenced in to thinking that fighting is good and may try to harm people of his age the same way someone evil trys to harm someone good in a film  that is rated 15. So it has some bad affetcs on people that dont fit the age group. Classifying films can be difficult because sometimes its hard to tell weather a film is unsuitable for a certain age group. For example looking at the film spiderman, its hard to classify that film because firstly it has alot of voilence in it so people may think it should be rated a 15, but at the same time its like a fantacy film because its very unrealistic that a mans flying from builings to buildings on a web so others  may believe that it should be rated a 12. 12A was recently introduced so no one younger than the age of 12 can see a 12A film in the cinema unless they are accompanied by an adult. An adult can take a younger child to the cinema to see a 12A film if in  their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child.

 

 Age Certificates

 

The U rating stands for Universal which allows a child that is four years and above to watch the film. The BBFC says that the film should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalance to any violence, threat or horror.
An example of a movie rated a 'U' would be a film like Happy Feet.

The PG rating stands for Parental guidence. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older, but the BBFC states that  parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
An example of a movie rated a 'PG' would be a film like Shrek.

The 12 rating exists only for people 12 years and over. This rating is partly linked in with the 12A rating aswell because they mean similar things, except 12A is when someone aged 12 has to be accompanied by an adult.
An example of a movie rated a '12' would be a film like Grown ups.

 The 15 rating is strictly not suitable for anyone younger then the age of 15. The BBFC states that these films contain dangerous behaviour, strong threats, drug taking, nudity, scenes of a sexual nature etc.
An example of a film rated a '15' would be a film like Paranormal activity.

The 18 rating strictly says that no-one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema and no-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated film.
An example of a film rated an '18' would be a film like Se7en.

 

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of no less than the age of 18 years old.