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BBFC and British Film Certificates

British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The British Board of Film Classification (common short form: BBFC) is the organisation responsible for film classification within the UK.

The BBFC was established in 1912 as the British Board of Film Censors. In 1984 it changed to its current name to 'reflect the fact that classification plays a far larger part in the Board's work than censorship' [1]. At that time it also took responsibility for classifying videos for hire or purchase to view in the home as well as films shown in cinemas. Home video and cinema versions of a film often receive the same certificate, although occasionally a film may receive a more restrictive certificate for the home video market, as it is easier for children to watch a home video than to be admitted into a cinema.

The Board is an independent, non-governmental organisation. In the case of films shown in cinemas, local authorities have the final legal say about who can watch a particular film. Almost always local authorities accept the Board's recommendation for a certificate for a film. There have been some notable exceptions. In 2002, local authorities, apparently under pressure from distributors and cinema chains, threatened to ignore the BBFC's ruling that Spiderman receive a 12 rating, and allow children younger than 12 to see the film. Fortunately, the BBFC were already in the process of replacing the 12 rating with a new 12A which allowed under-12s to see the film, provided that they are accompanied by an adult. Therefore, Spiderman was reclassified as 12A. Local authorities do not have such power for video recordings. Under the Video Recording Act 1984, all such recordings must be classified by an authority chosen by the Home Secretary. This classification is then legally binding. Since the introduction of the Act, the BBFC has been the chosen authority. In theory this authority could be revoked, but in practice such a revocation has never been suggested.

Historically the Board has faced strong criticism for an over-zealous attitude in censoring film. The Board reached the height of its notoriety in the 1970s when it banned a series of films that were released uncut and were popular in other countries. Notable titles include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Straw Dogs and The Last House on the Left. However, under recent Presidents James Ferman and Andreas Whittam Smith and current incumbent Sir Quentin Thomas, more relaxed guidelines have been followed, allowing the release, usually uncut, of these previously banned films on video and in cinemas. Some films from the 1970s remain unreleased (see [1] for a list), but many of these titles remain banned primarily because they are not as high profile as the above-mentioned films and thus their distributors have not chosen to re-submit the films to the BBFC - where they are likely to receive a more sympathetic hearing than 30 years ago. Only one film from the 70s, Love Camp 7, which contains substantial scenes of sexual violence, has remained completely banned following a re-submission during the 2000s.

The relaxation of guidelines has also made hardcore pornography widely available to adult audiences through the R18 rating. Films with this rating are only legally available from licenced sex shops, of which there about 100 in the UK. Violent films or films with mixed sexual and violent themes are more likely to be acceptable at an 18 rating than ever before. Recent examples include the passing of Baise Moi and Irreversible uncut for cinema and video viewing. Despite this trend towards liberalisation, anti-censorship campaigners are still critical of the BBFC. A prominent online campaign group is the "Melon Farmers", which criticises both the laws that BBFC is required to uphold and the BBFC's interpretation of that law in specific cases. Conversely, BBFC has attracted more criticism from conservative press, in particular the Daily Mail, on the grounds that the release of sexually explicit and violent films was corrupting the nation. The newspaper's most famous clash with the BBFC came when the Board released Crash without cuts. The following day (19th March 1997) the Mail led with the banner headline "CENSOR'S YES TO DEPRAVED SEX FILM".

Despite this guideline relaxation, film certificates generally remain more restrictive than in other countries such as France, Germany and the United States. One extreme example in 2003 saw the release of cut More with an 18 certificate in Britain (the cuts related to detailed drug use). The film was released with the equivalent of a 12 certificate in France.

The Board is located in Soho Square, Soho, London.

History of British Film Certificates

The UK's film ratings are decided by the British Board of Film Classification and have been since 1913 (previously there were no ratings). For cinema releases, the BBFC has no legal power (technically, the film studios do not even have to submit their films for classification), as it falls to the local councils to decide who should be admitted to a certain film. However, the councils nearly always abide by the BBFC's certificates, effectively making them legally-binding. They have also followed the BBFC's recent advice and added legal backing to the new 12A certificate, meaning that children under 12 can be admitted as long as they are accompanied by an adult. In the case of videos, the BBFC have had legal powers since 1985 (previously there were no video ratings) and are obliged to rate every new video release (the ratings themselves determining the age a person needs to be to buy and rent a video).

The following list chronicals the BBFC's ratings system from its inception to the present. Note that what is allowed in a film has greatly changed over time. A film rated A in 1913 would probably be rated U now.

1913-1932

  • U (Universal) - Suitable for children
  • A (Adult) - Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult

1932-1951

  • U (Universal) - Suitable for children
  • A (Adult) - Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult
  • H (Horror) - Some councils ruled that only those aged 16 or over could be admitted

1951-1970

  • U (Universal) - Suitable for children
  • A (Adult) - Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult
  • X - Suitable for those aged 16 and over (enforced by all councils)

1970-1982

  • U (Universal) - Suitable for all
  • A - Those aged 5 and over admitted, but parents advised that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film
  • AA - Suitable for those aged 14 and over
  • X - Suitable for those aged 18 and over

1982-1985

  • U (Univeral) - Suitable for all
  • PG (Parental Guidance) - All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
  • 15 - Suitable for those aged 15 and over
  • 18 - Suitable for those aged 18 and over
  • R18 (Restricted 18) - Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas

1985-1989

  • Uc (Universal Children) - Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
  • U (Univeral) - Suitable for all (now also covers videos)
  • PG (Parental Guidance) - All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children (now also covers videos)
  • 15 - Suitable for those aged 15 and over (now also covers videos)
  • 18 - Suitable for those aged 18 and over (now also covers videos)
  • R18 (Restricted 18) - Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops (now also covers videos)

1989-1994

  • Uc (Universal Children) - Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
  • U (Univeral) - Suitable for all
  • PG (Parental Guidance) - All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
  • 12 - Suitable for those aged 12 and over (cinema only)
  • 15 - Suitable for those aged 15 and over
  • 18 - Suitable for those aged 18 and over
  • R18 (Restricted 18) - Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops

1994-2002

  • Uc (Universal Children) - Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
  • U (Univeral) - Suitable for all
  • PG (Parental Guidance) - All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
  • 12 - Suitable for those aged 12 and over (now also covers videos)
  • 15 - Suitable for those aged 15 and over
  • 18 - Suitable for those aged 18 and over
  • R18 (Restricted 18) - Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops

2002-

  • Uc (Universal Children) - Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
  • U (Univeral) - Suitable for all
  • PG (Parental Guidance) - All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
  • 12A (12 Accompanied) - Suitable for those aged 12 and over, but under 12s may be admitted if they are accompanied by an adult (cinema only)
  • 12 - Suitable for those aged 12 and over (video only)
  • 15 - Suitable for those aged 15 and over
  • 18 - Suitable for those aged 18 and over
  • R18 (Restricted 18) - Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops

For more info see www.bbfc.co.uk
Also see MPAA ratings.

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