Bbfc ratings

LAUL

1. Lauren Mills
AS Media
BBFC Ratings
When looking into different films, there are always different aspects of ratings that have to be
considered due to the versatility of the different ages that will be watching certain films. Content,
context and language are the main three factors that need to be taken into consideration.
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but
some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a
child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may
upset younger, or more sensitive, children. No. Some films are given a PG certificate
but have not been made with a young audience in mind. A recent example of a film
mostly enjoyed by grownups but passed PG would be Saving Mr. Banks. However, the
certificate means that any issues in the work are appropriate for the majority of this age group and
nothing should upset a child of eight or over. A PG film will not contain any theme which is
inappropriate for a child. PG works can explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or
racism. There may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’) in a PG film, but the
context and delivery are always important. For example, if the language is used aggressively or if
there is a great deal of bad language, a work may be passed at a higher category. Sex references are
unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent. In addition, if a child is unlikely to understand a
reference, we may allow it at PG. Comedy can also often lessen the impact of sex references and
innuendo. Violence will usually be mild. There should be no detail of violence in a PG work, so while
there might be some blood, we would not see how the injury was inflicted in strong detail. Violence
is generally more acceptable in a historical, comedic or fantasy setting, because of the distancing
that this provides. It isn’t uncommon for PG films to feature ‘roller-coaster’ action or set pieces,
where the emphasis is clearly on the adventure or journey of the main characters rather than the
detail of violence or fighting. As far as threat and horror goes, we allow some 'jump' moments and
frightening sequences as long as they are not prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may again be a
factor in the treatment of such content.

The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four
years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child,
especially at this lower end of the category range. We rate films and videos aimed at
very young viewers, such as Chuggington or Tinga Tinga Tales, U. However, we give
them special BBFCinsight stating they are ‘particularly suitable for pre-school children’.
Films or videos with this BBFCinsight should raise no significant issues in terms of
discrimination, drugs,, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence. At U we only
allow infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Characters may be seen
kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour. However, there will be no overt
focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo. Sex and sex references are treated the same
irrespective of sexuality so there could be mild or undetailed references at U. Violence will generally
be very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in
danger. However, moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome
will be reassuring. There may be brief scary scenes and moments where the characters are placed in
danger. As with violence, however, these scenes will be balanced by reassuring elements, such as
comic interludes or music. ‘Baddie’ characters may carry or use weapons, but there will be no
emphasis on these. Child or ‘hero’ characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon outside, for
example, historical settings. Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children
may copy, must be clearly disapproved of. A U film can explore a wide rang of themes, as long as the
treatment is appropriate for a young audience. This doesn’t mean that all films rated U are children’s
films. A children’s work at U will generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and

2. Lauren Mills
AS Media
friendship, particularly amongst children. The film or video may well have a happy ending for the
child and the overall tone should be one of reassurance. U films are unlikely to contain
discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of. At U there will not normally
be references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there is a very clear anti-drugs or educational
message which will be understood by a younger audience. Drugs references which are unlikely to
register with young children and are brief or passing may occasionally be passed at U – for example a
verbal reference to ‘the Opium wars’ in an historical documentary.

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally
suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema
unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film
should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we
recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance. The 12A requires an
adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by
cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for
children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the
home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. The 12 is also a
simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is
over the age of 12. No. However, the BBFC considers the content of 12A rated films to be
suitable for children aged 12 and over, and we would not recommend taking very young
children to see them. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain
material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. Adults planning to take a child under 12
to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help adults make
this decision, we provide BBFCinsight for all films. The overall tone of a film or video, and the way it
makes the audience feel may affect the classification. For example, a work which has a very dark or
unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the
individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC Guidelines. Similarly, if a
work is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to
15. The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A,
depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any
special contextual justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being
placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.
There may be moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A). Any
discriminatory language or behaviour will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive
discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12A or
12 unless it is clearly condemned. Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal
sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the
impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely
to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context
should only be brief and discreet.
Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality at 12A, moderate violence is
allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but
occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example
brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama). Action sequences and weapons may be present at
12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible
to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works. Sexual violence, such
as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12.
Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification. Yes, some horror films are passed at
this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12A or 12A as long as
horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing. Dangerous
behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will not dwell on

3. Lauren Mills
AS Media
detail which could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are likely to copy.
Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed. There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a
12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide instructional detail.


No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video.
15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. No theme is
prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Any of the following may be seen in a 15 rated film:
 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
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong
language (e.g. ‘f***’). Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending
on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special
contextual justification. However, continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15. There
may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes
relating to this. However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or
behaviour. At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes
can be quite long at this category. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will
usually be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational
context. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude
references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Sex and sex references are
treated the same irrespective of sexuality Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on
the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to
sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim
testimony) but any portrayal depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
At 15 there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or
sexualised threat. At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or
encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail).

4. Lauren Mills
AS Media
Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema
or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children. Adults are
free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially
harmful, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some
adult viewers.
18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
 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
There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very strong language (e.g.
‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, and frequent or accompanied
by strong violence. There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the
work could explore themes relating to discrimination. Though a work as a whole must not be in
breach of any relevant legislation, it is possible for discriminatory language or themes to be the main
focus of the work, and for main characters to engage in discriminatory behaviour. There can 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. Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works
containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Those containing clear
images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong
sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at
R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18. The strongest gory images are permitted at this
category. At 18, horror films may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat. At 18 drug
taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.