Differences between the ratings.

U & PG


Can be more frightening but still cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly.

The themes at PG can be a little more mature, but the nature of how they are presented is still very mild.

Stronger violence, but still will not focus on detail. Must be justified by it's context.Sexual content can be allowed more at PG however its treatment is still discreet and infrequent.
At PG mild drug use/reference is more acceptable but still must carry an anti-drug message overall.
Discriminatory language can be used at PG however must have an educational or historical context.
No drug references in both these ratings.

PG & 12A


Stronger violence accepted without strong detail. 
Nudity is allowed but must still be brief and discreet.

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted at 12A but cannot be sustained.
Imitable behaviour accepted. Glamorisation of weapons still not permitted. 
Moderate language permitted. 

Discriminatory language/behaviour is stronger but must not be encouraged.
Drug mis-use can be shown at 12A [it cannot at PG]  but must be infrequent and not glamorised.

12A/12 & 15

Horror can be stronger and more threatening. 
Glamorisation of easily accessible weapons is not acceptable.
Nudity is more acceptable. Can be shown in a sexual context but not with strong detail.
Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Language is more frequent and stronger however, context is important.

Drug references are shown, but anti-drug message still enforced. 

15 & 18 

Risk of harm to society is not acceptable.
Sexualised violence is allowed at 18.
Can include sexual relationships. 
Clear images of real sex is not permitted at 18.

18 - R18

Cannot breach any criminal laws.
Sexually abusive behaviour is not acceptable. 
Real sex is allowed at R18. 

Reflections on Current Film Classification

Current system of film classification 

• Protects children from watching "bad" stuff. 
• If films have been classified, parents can't complain as all the information will be stated on the site. 
• Gives guidelines for productions companies to follow.
• Society like following sets of rules. Gives an ordered system approach.
• Guidelines are constantly changed with the current society. 

CONS

• Stereotyping children into categories, assuming all children like and dislike the same thing.
• Giving children a false sense of the world, making them believe that the world is "perfect".
• Regulations are constantly changing, so parents shouldn't assume that a 12A now, is suitable for their children based on other 12A's that they've previously seen. 
• People don't really follow ratings. People of all ages watch films that are outside their age gap due to easier accessibility through the internet. 

Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?

I believe that yes, films are regulated sensibly, as they have stopped children from watching films outside their age gap. However, going to the cinema isn't the only way for children to consume films. Currently, internet is such a huge part of an average person's lifestyle, meaning children can now easily download films without being concerned about the rating. Therefore, I believe that parents should take a greater role in protecting children from seeing such materials, and not blame production companies and the BBFC for wrongly classifying films. Parents need to be more aware of how the guidelines for ratings are changing as their society develops and therefore, should take full responsibility when allowing their child to watch a certain film, and not depend on the government or the BBFC to make decisions about what films the children can watch. 

Is there anything you think could be done to improve the system?

As I have previously mentioned above, I believe that it's important for parents to take more care of their own children, hence the BBFC should make parents more aware about the information that they currently provide on all films that have been released. This would reduce the number of potential complaints, and hopefully ensure that films are classified rightly. 

R18 Restricted

Can only be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops and to adults of not less than 18 years.
R18 category is specially and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong  fetish material involving adults. R18 words may not be supplied by mail order.

Following content is unacceptable: 

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law. 
• material likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (e.g. rape, paedophilia)
• portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent. 
• infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm.
• penetration by any object associate with violence or likely to cause physical harm. 
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game.  

15 Classification

No one younger than 15 may see a '15' film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a '15' rated video work.

Discrimination: The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language/behaviour.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. 

Horror: Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. 

Imitable Behaviour: Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language: There may be frequent use of strong language (e.g. fuck). The strongest terms (e.g. cunt) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity: Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, may be justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal is not acceptable. 

Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is suitable for 15 year olds. 
Violence: Violence may be strong but not dwell on pain/injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

18 Classification

No one younger than 18 may see or rent or buy and '18' rated film. Issues that a '18' film would consider within the catergory are:
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas: 
 

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.

• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals.This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.

• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’: Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’: 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’. Sex works 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’.

12A & 12 Classification

12A/12: Suitable for 12 years and over.

Same criteria used to classify works at 12A and 12.
12A only exists for cinema films. No one may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Films classified 12A are not recommended for children below 12. An adult can take their child if they feel that their child can watch it, therefore it is in their judgement. Therefore, it is the adult's responsibility.
12 category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video.

Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorses by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail. 

Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. 

Imitable Behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (e.g. hanging, suicide, self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain/harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. 

Language: Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (e.g. fuck) must be infrequent.  

Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. 

Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable. 

Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. 

Violence: Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injured or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and must have a strong contextual justification.  

PG Classification

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. 
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. 
Should not disturb a child of eight or older. However, parents are asked to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. 

Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved in an educational/historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Drugs: References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message. 

Horror: Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor. 

Imitable Behaviour: No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.  

Language: Mild bad language only. 

Nudity: Natural nudity, with no sexual content. 

Sex: Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex reference and innuendo only. 

Theme: Where more serious issues are features (e.g. domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour. 

Violence: Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed if justified by its context (e.g. history, comedy, fantasy) 

U Classification

Universal: Suitable for all. 

• Impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a 'U' film should be suitable for audience aged four years and over. Be set within a positive moral setting, and offer counterbalances to any violence, threat and horror. 

Discrimination: No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.

Drugs: No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse, unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or it is educational and there is a clear anti-drug message. 

Horror: Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause anxiety to young children. Outcome should be reassuring. 

Imitable Behaviour: No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. 

Language: Infrequent use only of very mild bad language. 

Nudity: Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual content. 

Sex: Mild sexual behaviour and references only. 

Theme: While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

Violence: Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat/menace only. 

13 Main Issues

1. Discrimination
2. Drugs
3. Horror
4. Imitable behaviour 
5. Criminal behaviour (Imitable Behaviour) 
6. Weapons (Imitable Behaviour)
7. Language
8. Nudity
9. Sexual references (Sex)
10. Sex
11. Theme
12. Violence
13. Sexualised violence (Violence)

Reflections

So far, I've learnt quite a few things about the BBFC and what they actually do.

1. They are not autonomous to government control in order to protect films from political influence.

2. They are answerable to OFCOM. They are also accountable to film distributors, because every time a film is made, the BBFC need to regulate and charge the companies.

3. Even though the BBFC regulate films, the local authority have the full power and they themselves can decide what can and can't be shown at the cinema and can give films their own certificates.