BBFC

The BBFC or the British Board of Film Classification is a independent, non governmental body set up in 1912. The main purpose of the BBFC is to review forms of media and entertainment and give them a classification age rating based on their content, they began with cinema in 1912, moved to videos in 1984 and as of more recently even videogames. The following is everything you need to know about the BBFC.

How does classification work?

The workers at the BBFC will watch a film the whole way through and provide a age rating based on how the movie interacts with the BBFC's age rating guidelines, this could be anything from the amount of violence used or amount of sexual behavior

U - Suitable for All

General - Universal means that the form of media is suitable for all ages above four years old

Discrimination - Discriminatory language is not around unless clearly criticised

Drugs - Any form of Drugs or illegal substances will be absent

Imitable Behavior - Potentially dangerous anti-social behavior that may be imitated will be absent.

Language - Infrequent use of bad language

Nudity - Nudity will be present but will have no sexual context

Sex - There will be very mild sexual behavior such as kissing or hugging

Threat - Any threat should be quickly resolved in an attempt to not cause anxiety for young children

Violence - Mild violence is allowed if justified via context i.e for comedic effect

PG - Parental Guidance

General - Similar to Universal, however, some scenes may be unsuitable for young children and parents will have to decide whether or not these scenes are okay for their children

Discrimination - Not to be accepted unless clearly criticised or used in a educational/historical context

Drugs - References to drugs must not be harmful or offensive, or must be used as an anti-drug message

Imitable Behavior - No detail of potentially dangerous behavior that children may copy

Language - Bad language should be mild, if used frequently the film may be given a higher rating

Nudity - There may be nudity but with no sexual context, sexual activity may be implied but must be discreet

Sex - Mild sexual behavior

Threat - Scenes where characters are in danger must not be prolonged or intense, fantasy scenes may be rated differently

Violence - Mild violence is allowed, moderate violence is allowed if justified by context i.e comedy, fantasy, historical

12A - 12

General - No one under 12 may see a 12 film, anyone who is 12 but without a parent will not be allowed to watch a 12A film

Discrimination - Discriminatory language or behavior is not likely to be included unless it is clearly condemned

Drugs - Misuse of drugs will not be detailed and will usually be discreet

Imitable Behavior - No promotion of potentially dangerous behavior which children are likely to copy. No adorning of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives

Language - There may be moderate language depending on the manner and context used

Nudity - There may be nudity, but if used sexually it must be discreet

Sex - Sexual activity may be briefly displayed, sex references are permitted but frequent crude behavior is not permitted

Threat - There may be physical or psychological threat, although these sequences may be disturbing the entire theme of the film should not be

Violence - In terms of violence there may be moderate amounts but no emphasis on blood or injury

15 - 15 and over

General - No one younger than 15 years of age may see a 15 film

Discrimination - In terms of discrimination the whole work as a whole cannot endorse discriminatory, however, racist, sexist and homophobic comments are allowed

Drugs - Drugs can be shown but the work as a whole must not endorse drug use, the misuse of highly acceptable and dangerous substances is not allowed

Imitable Behavior - Dangerous behavior should not dwell on detail that may be copied

Language - There may be moderate language, extreme language may be permitted based on context and the manner it is used

Nudity - There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational standpoint, there may be nudity with sexual context but not very detailed

Sex - Sexual activity may be displayed but now with much detail

Threat - There may be strong physical and psychological threat, extreme sadistic or sexual themes are not likely to be accepted

Violence - Violence may be included but have minor emphasis on pain and injury

18 - 18 and over

General - No one younger than 18 may see a 18 rated form of media

Discrimination - All forms of discrimination are allowed

Drugs - All use of drugs are allowed with or without context dependency

Imitable Behavior - All behavior is allowed, behavior is not imitable as the audience are adults

Language - All forms of language are allowed from mild to vile

Nudity - Full nudity is allowed without context dependency

Sex - Sexual activity such as intercourse is only allowed for educational purposes, all other forms of sexual activity are permitted

Threat - Physical and Psychological threat are allowed

Violence - All forms of violence are permitted

R18 - Restricted 18 and over

General - Identical to 18 except it includes pornographic material such as fetishes or strong sex material involving adults, as well as extreme real-life violence