Universal – Suitable for all

Casablanca

There is a general assumption that if a film is rated ‘U’ it must have been made specifically for young children. On the whole that will be true, but it is not always the case. What is true is that a ‘U’ rated film contains nothing which would result in a higher classification, like strong language, violence or sex. For that reason some films that have a more adult appeal, like Casablanca, or more recently, An Inconvenient Truth, the Al Gore documentary about climate change, end up with a ‘U’ rating.

When a ‘U’ rated film has been made specifically for children it should not pose any problems for the average four year old. However, some children are more sensitive than others and parents may still find that very young children need some adult reassurance when watching a ‘U’ rated film. It is not a good idea to leave very young children on their own watching a film, unless it carries a ‘Uc’ classification. Videos or DVDs rated ‘Uc’ are particularly suitable for pre-school children and contain nothing to harm or disturb.

‘U’ rated films will have a positive moral framework and offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. Like Finding Nemo, they may provide a roller coaster ride with scary moments, but these will be balanced by reassurance and, of course, everyone, with the exception of the ‘baddie’ will live happily ever after. Being scared while watching a film is part of the fun of childhood, as long as it all comes right in the end and there is a reassuring hand to hold.

Chicken Run

‘U’ rated films may contain some mild bad language. The wicked fairy godmother in Shrek 2, for instance, is heard to say 'bloody' and Mrs Tweedy, the farmer’s wife in Chicken Run, refers to the chickens as 'buggers'. However, no potential role model for young children will resort to bad language.

Natural nudity is acceptable at ‘U’ and kissing and possibly references to ‘making love’ are allowed, but nothing stronger.

Lilo & Stitch

The BBFC is particularly careful about anything dangerous which young children might copy. When we first saw Disney’s Lilo and Stitch we were concerned about a scene in which Lilo hid in a washing machine. When we informed Disney they replaced the dangerous washing machine with a cupboard as Lilo’s hiding place.

There will be no references to drugs in ‘U’ rated films, unless they are in the context of an educational work or an anti-drugs information film.

It is impossible to predict how any child will react to a film, so parents should check the Consumer Advice which will indicate if there are any potential problems for their child.

Parental Guidance

Parents should not assume that the ‘PG’ category is just an extension of ‘U’. Like the ‘U’ category if may contain films which have a more adult appeal but do not contain any issues which would require a higher category.

A ‘PG’ rated film is considered suitable (but not necessarily entertaining) for most eight year olds and above. Any parent taking a child younger than eight to see a ‘PG’ film should bear in mind that they are likely to come across more challenging material than they will at ‘U’.

Films rated ‘PG’ may deal with themes such as domestic violence, child abuse, bereavement or racism, but as the films are aimed at a young audience they will also contain positive moral and educational messages. The tone and treatment of more difficult issues will be appropriate for younger children.

Carry on Screaming

At ‘PG’ anti-social behaviour, like bullying, or children smoking or drinking will not be condoned or made attractive to a young audience. Any references to drugs will either be innocuous and therefore unlikely to be understood by a young audience, or they will be clearly in the context of an anti-drugs message.

Mild bad language will be acceptable at ‘PG’, but like at ‘U’ will not normally be stronger than ‘bloody’, ‘shit’ etc. There may be exceptions to this if the film is thought to have a particularly appropriate message for the age group but strong language will never be allowed at ‘PG’. If there is mild language in a ‘PG’ film it is likely to be flagged up in the Consumer Advice so parents with strong views can avoid the film.

Sexual activity may be implied in ‘PG’ rated films, particularly if the scene is unlikely to be understood by a young audience. Sexual innuendo as found in the Carry On films will be allowed at ‘PG’.

Lord of the Rings:
The Fellowship of the Ring

Violence in ‘PG’ rated films will be stronger than allowed at ‘U’ but will not be bloody or have close up details. Films like the first in the Lord of the Rings trilogy had a lot of battle scenes and fighting, but the fantasy setting and the unrealistic creatures involved meant that most eight years olds and above were unlikely to find the violence upsetting. Despite the high body count there was very little blood and the action clearly took place in a world far from their own.

Scary films may test the nerve of some children, but learning to face their fears is part of growing up. Most children over the age of eight will enjoy being scared in the safe setting of a trip to the cinema, but children younger than eight might be happier waiting until films like Monster House

Monster House

(a film about a house which comes to life and ‘eats’ people) come out on DVD. Frightening sequences at ‘PG’ will not be prolonged or intense, but fantasy settings do allow children to cope more readily with being scared and ‘PG’ rated films will have a positive outcome. The Consumer Advice will indicate if the film contains scary moments.

As with ‘U’ rated films, dangerous activities which might encourage children to copy and hurt themselves will not be acceptable. However, because these films are aimed at an older age range than ‘U’ rated films, if the activity is presented as far fetched it may be allowed – something else for parents to take into consideration before taking children younger than eight to ‘PG’ rated films.

It is impossible for the BBFC to know exactly how any young child will react to a film. By rating a film ‘PG’ we are sending out a clear message that there might be some things in the film which some children might find disturbing, particularly if they are younger than eight years old.

'12A' – Cinema '12' Video/DVD

The ‘12A’ and ‘12’ categories are exactly the same in terms of content. The ‘12A’ certificate refers only to films seen in cinemas and it means that no child under the age of 12 can go in to see the film unless they are with an adult. The ‘12’ category applies to videos and DVDs and it is against the law for any child under the age of 12 to rent or buy a video or DVD on their own – an adult must obtain the film for them.

This category is not an extension of ‘PG’. When we classify a film ‘12A’ or a video or DVD ‘12’, we have in mind a young teenage audience. These films will be noticeably stronger than ‘PG’ and will deal with issues which are relevant to an audience over the mental age of an average 12 year old. The reason the ‘12A’ category allows children younger than 12 to see the film, if accompanied by an adult, is because children develop at different rates. Parents with younger children can consider whether any particular film might be appropriate, knowing their own child’s level of development. However, no ‘12A’ film is suitable for very young children.

Casino Royale

One of the key differences at ‘12A’/‘12’ is that strong language (eg 'f***') is acceptable as long as it is infrequent and is not used aggressively. That does not mean that all ‘12A’ films will have swearing in them, but it does mean that if a film includes the word 'f***' it will automatically be rated ‘12A’ or ‘12’ regardless of the rest of the content. Not all parents approve of strong language so the Consumer Advice will always indicate its presence, even if it only occurs once.

The violence in a ‘12A’ film, while it will not dwell on detail, will be stronger than what is allowed at ‘PG’. Some people were surprised by how strong the violence was in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale. But that film, as are all ‘12A’ films, was classified with 12 to 14 year olds – and older – in mind, not eight year olds. The Consumer Advice for that film flagged up the 'strong action violence', a clear indicator that the film was not aimed at a very young audience. It is particularly important that parents take the Consumer Advice into account when considering taking children under 12 to ‘12A’ films.

The Mummy

Because the audience for films in this category are older, the sort of sexual activity allowed is stronger. It will not be explicit, but will reflect what is likely to be familiar, and suitable for most adolescents.

As with the younger categories the BBFC is keen to ensure that dangerous techniques which, if copied might harm young people, are not presented in a way which might suggest they are harm or pain free. Hanging, self harm or suicide techniques will come under very close scrutiny and could be cut. The first in The Mummy series contained a hanging sequence which went on for several minutes and which suggested that hanging was not dangerous and something easily recovered from. The BBFC required the scene to be cut.



1.	Iron Man
2.	Son Of Rambow
3.	Fool's Gold
4.	Persepolis
5.	21
6.	How She Move
7.	Nim's Island
8.	Leatherheads
9.	Speed Racer
10.	Manufactured Landscapes