Research - Film Classifications

Film Classifications

I have acquired all this information from the BBFC website, http://www.bbfc.co.uk/.

Age certificate 15:
The 15 certificate was introduced by the British Board of Film Censors on 1 November 1982, following an overhaul of its classifications as recommended by the Williams Committee. It is currently defined as follows: Passed only for persons of fifteen years and over. No person apparently under the age of 15 years shall be admitted to any exhibition at which there is to be shown any film which has received a '15' certificate from the British Board of Film Classification.
It was a direct replacement for the AA certificate, the only difference being that the age limit was raised from fourteen to fifteen. In 1985, following the recommendations of the 1984 Video Recordings Act, the 15 certificate was extended to cover video releases. While the increased age limit allowed the BBFC to be more lenient with regard to classifying certain films, it became clear towards the end of the 1980s that an additional classification was needed between 15 and PG, as Hollywood in particular was producing an increasing number of films aimed specifically at young teenagers. Since these films were considered too strong for a PG, they were usually given a 15 certificate, thus preventing their natural audience from seeing them. As a result of increasingly public debate over this issue, the BBFC introduced the 12 certificate in 1989. The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 15 certificate: Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds. Language: There may be frequent use of strong language; the strongest terms are only rarely acceptable. Continued aggressive use of strong language and sexual abuse is unacceptable.

Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex: Sexual activity and nudity may be portrayed but without strong detail. The depiction of casual sex should be handled responsibly. There may be occasional strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence: Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain, and of injuries. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief. Imitable techniques: Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives). Horror: Sustained or detailed infliction of pain or injury is unacceptable.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug use.

Age certificate 18:
The 18 certificate was introduced by the British Board of Film Censors on 1 November 1982, following an overhaul of its classifications as recommended by the Williams Committee. It was defined as follows: Passed only for persons of eighteen years and over. No person apparently under the age of 18 years shall be admitted to any exhibition at which there is to be shown any film which has received a '18' certificate from the British Board of Film Classification. It replaced the old X certificate, the only difference being the change of name, which had been recommended because of the increasing association of the X certificate with pornography (the fact that it rhymed with "sex" did not help!). In 1985, following the recommendations of the 1984 Video Recordings Act, the 18 certificate was extended to cover video releases. Despite the adults-only restriction, the BBFC continued to cut 18 certificate films and especially videos. This was partly due to the statutory requirement that all video releases comply with the criminal law (especially the 1937 Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act, the 1959 Obscene Publications Act and the 1978 Protection of Children Act), and partly due to the BBFC's own internal guidelines regarding strong sexual and violent material. They were particularly sensitive about horror films following the "video nasties" scare of 1982-83, and many titles were cut quite severely. However, following extensive public consultation in 2000 which revealed a general consensus that adults should be allowed to watch what they liked, the BBFC dramatically liberalised its guidelines for the 18 certificate. With the exception of strong sexual activity and detailed depiction of criminal techniques, plus of course the legal stipulations mentioned above, virtually anything was now permissible, and this led to a great many previously cut titles being reissued. The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 18 certificate: The BBFC respects the right of adults to choose their own entertainment, within the law. It will therefore expect to intervene only rarely in relation to '18' rated cinema films. In the case of videos, which are more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board may, however, cut or reject the following content: - any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use - the more explicit images of sexual activity - unless they can be exceptionally justified by context Sex Education at '18': Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made. Sex Works at '18': Material which appears to be simulated is generally passed '18', while images of real sex are confined to the 'R18' category.