Classification Of Film

I decided to look at film classification because I would have to decide what age certificate my trailer would be.

U:  U stands for Universal. .  The storyline should be easy to follow, and the film should be fine for a child to watch alone, without the aid of a parent. People who classify films find it hard to decide what will upset a child and what will not. Films that are classified as a U are usually happy with no horror or violence.  Films that have recently been classified a U by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) are Peppa Pig and Bristo.

PG:  PG stands for parental guidance.  This means that a child will be able to watch this film but a parent will have to watch the film with the child as some parts of the film may be upsetting for the child to watch. Films that have recently been classified a PG by the BBFC are films such as Brides of Desire and Bang.

12: This category is for children aged 12 and over. The film can have mild violence, but only mild violence.  Films aged 12 that have recently been passed as a 12 by the BBFC are films such as Tomorrow When War Began and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 1).

12A: This category was made when parents who went to watch Spiderman with their children (most of them where under the age of 12) were turned down. Parents were very angry as all the merchandise for the film was aimed at younger children. The BBFC reconsidered the classification of the film and came up with the idea of having a new category which meant children 12 and older could go and watch it in the cinema without an adult and children under the age of 12 can also watch the film with an adult. This category was named 12A. 12A is only allowed in cinemas. A film that was classified 12A in the cinemas will be automatically changed to 12 when the film comes out on DVD. Films that have recently been passed as a 12A by the BBFC are films such as Morning Glory and The Way Back.

15: Films classed a 15 can only be watched by adults aged 15 and over. No one younger than 15 can watch a film in the cinema as some of the material that is within the film could be of a threat to those younger than 15. Films aged 15 can have horror, mild gore and mild sex and sex references.  Films that have recently been passed as an age certificate 15 are films such as The Mechanic and Love and Other Drugs.

18:  No one younger than 18 can watch a film aged 18 in the cinemas. Films aged 18 are usually very violent and contain strong horror, gore, sex references and sex. Films that have recently been passed as an 18 are films such as Saw 3D and London Boulevard.

R18: This category is especially for films that contain sex and strong fetish material involving adults. These films can only be shown to adults and purchased from a special licensed shop.