The BBFC

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) was founded in 1912 as a non-governmental organisation that monitors all films distributed in the UK. They enforced the national classification and censorship of films, whereby they assign a specific age rating to every film, this includes: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, and R18. If the BBFC decides that a certain film isn't suitable, it can't be shown in Britain. I would say that every single person in the UK is subconsciously aware of the BBFC, as their ratings are forever around us - at the cinema, on movie packaging, and even on streaming sites such as Netflix. 

What do the ratings mean?

Universal (U)

Universal films must be suitable for audiences aged 4 and over, therefore it should be a reassuringly positive movie whereby the language is tame and there is no offensive content including: dangerous behaviour, sex (only kissing), and violence (it must be very mild if shown).

Parental Guidance (PG)

Parental Guidance movies are targeted at children over 8 although at the parent's discretion, meaning that anyone can watch these, although it is advised not to show easily upset children. Anti-social behaviour is discouraged as children are likely to copy this. Moreover, threat and horror sequences should be minimized, and are advised to be comedic.

12A/12

Films rated 12 mean that no one under the age of 12 can watch the movie, although the rating of 12A means that if a child under the age of 12 is accompanied by an adult they're able to watch the movie at the discretion of the adult. Drug misuse is allowed although it mustn't be glamourized and should be infrequent. Additionally, bad language is permitted although should be kept to a minimum. Sexual activity is permitted although it should be discrete. 

15

Films rated 15 are suitable for people ages 15 and over, this is because a more mature audience is necessary for some of the scenes that are allowed to be shown. Moderate dangerous behaviour is permitted, although it shouldn't be a focal point. Moreover, drugs may be shown and used although they shouldn't be promoted in a good light. As well as this, strong language may be permitted although the context is extremely important and can lead to a difference in ratings. Nudity and sexual activity are allowed although detail is kept to a minimum.

18

Films rated 18 are permitted for "adults" (anyone 18 and over). There are few rules apart from serious breaches of conduct including: content that is in breach of the criminal law when the material is seen to put people in danger or harm individuals. And finally, if there are hints at sex workers.  

R18

Films rated R18 are only allowed to be shown in specific cinemas which have licences, or these films are supplied to licensed sex shops. The minimum age to watch this material is 18 as it is often centered around sexual activity. Despite this, there are still certain things that can't be shown, including: material that is in breach of the criminal law, material that could encourage sexual abuse, sexual activity which is non-concential.

When setting the rating of a film, the BBFC have to take into account numerous things, this includes:

- Scenes including violence of all kinds

- Scenes including sex and nudity

- Scenes including obscene language

- Scenes with discriminatory language

- Scenes of self halm

- Scenes of criminal activity

- Scenes. with dangerous behavior e.g lying on train tracks

- Scenes with drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes

- Scenes involving child actors/characters

- Strobe lighting

They also have to consider context, specifically how realistic movies are, animated movies are often far lower-rated despite violence due to the fact that the audience should know the content isn't real. 

Moreover, it is evident that the BBFC can be more strict when it comes to rating DVDs as opposed to cinema release ratings. An example that proves this is for The Hunger Games, whereby it was rated a 12A at the cinema, this means that anyone over 12 can see it, but children under 12 can see it at their own discretion with an adult. When The Hunger Games was released on DVD, the BBFC had to decide whether it would be more fitting to change the rating to a PG, 12 or a 15. In the end, the BBFC decided to raise it to a 15 due to the "strong violence".

How does the BBFC go about rating them?

There is a brief process that every production company must follow in order for their film to be verified to move forward. Firstly, the production company needs to send a copy of the film to the BBFC, whereby they watch the movie and come to a conclusion on a suitable certificate. If the production company disagrees with the set rating from the BBFC they're able to appeal this by re-editing the movie and asking the BBFC to reassign a new rating.

Due to the BBFC rating every single movie you've seen within the UK, some people argue that a few of their ratings are "wrong", some of these movies include:

- The Dark Knight (2008) which received over 350 complaints surrounding the amount of violence shown for the 12 rating.

- Minions received many complaints from parents as it appeared to show a noose in a child's movie which was rated U.

- Mrs Doubtfire received lots of backlash as it was rated 12, although many families wanted to attend this movie together. The numerous complaints resulted in 20th-century fox releasing an edited version which the BBFC changed the rating to a PG.

- Finally, Spectre is supposedly the most complained about movie to the BBFC, whereby it is thought that there was too much violence for a 12A. 

I believe that my group's coursework would be rated a 15 due to the strong violence shown which certainly wouldn't be suitable for children under the age of 15. The next rating down would be a 12 or 12A, whereby violence is allowed although it shouldn't be too graphic as well as this the glamourisation of accessible weapons is not permitted, and the opening of our title sequence shows a girl's throat being slit with a knife, which certainly would not be allowed to be shown to a 12-year-old. The rating up from a 15 is an 18, although I don't believe the severity of our sequence is as graphic as an 18 whereby the main things not permitted when showing 18s are surrounded by a breach in law (which our sequence most probable adheres to) although, I don't believe our sequence is so severe as the rules surrounding 18 rated movies are more-so targetted at sexual activity as opposed to violence. Therefore, I believe that the BBFC would rate our opening title sequence as a 15.