Ratings according to the British
Board of Film Classification
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(G in US rating system):
Universal
It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But
a 'U' film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. Works
aimed at children should be set within a positive moral framework and should
offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
Theme
Treatment of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate to a
younger audience.
Language
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex
Mild sexual behaviour (e.g., kissing) and references only (e.g., to
'making love').
Violence
Mild violence only.
Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Imitable techniques
No emphasis on realistic weapons.
Horror
Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take account of the
presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.
Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug use.
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General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for some children
'PG' Parental Guidance
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A 'PG'
film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents
are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more
sensitive children.
Theme
More serious issues may be featured, eg
crime, domestic violence, racism (providing nothing in their treatment
condones them).
Language
Mild bad language only.
Nudity
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent.
Mild sexual references and innuendo only.
Violence
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed - if justified by
its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).
Imitable techniques
No glamorisation of realistic, contemporary weapons. No detail of fighting
or other dangerous techniques.
Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy
settings may be a mitigating factor.
Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug use unless entirely innocuous.
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(PG/PG-13 in US rating system):
No-one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless
accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a '12' rated
video.
Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for
young teenagers.
Language
The use of strong language (eg 'fuck')
should be rare and must be justified by context.
Nudity
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context will be brief and discreet.
Sex
Sexual activity may be implied. Sexual references may reflect the
familiarity of most adolescents today with sex education through school.
Violence
Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on
injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly indicated
and without physical detail. Imitable techniques. Dangerous techniques
(examples include: combat, hanging, suicides) should contain no imitable
detail. Realistic and contemporary weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror
Sustained threat and menace is permitted. Occasional gory moments
only.
Drugs
Brief and occasional references to, and sight of, 'soft' drug-taking (eg cannabis) are allowed, but must be justified by
context and should indicate the dangers. No instructional elements are permitted.
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(soft R in US rating system):
No-one younger than 15 may see a '15' film in a cinema. No-one younger
than 15 may rent or buy a '15' rated video.
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 (eg 'cunt') 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.
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(R in US rating system):
No-one younger than 18 may see an '18' film in
a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an '18' rated video.
The BBFC respects the right of adults to chose
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.
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(NC-17 in US rating system):
To be supplied only in licensed sex shops to
adults of not less than 18 years.
The 'R18' category is a special and legally
restricted classification primarily for explicit videos of consenting sex
between adults. Such videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex
shops, of which there are currently about 90 in
the UK.
'R18' videos may not be supplied by mail order.
The following content is not acceptable
- any material which is in breach
of the criminal law.
- material (including dialogue) likely
to encourage an interest in abusive sexual activity (e.g., paedophilia,
incest) which may include depictions involving adults role-playing as
non-adults.
- the portrayal of any sexual
activity, whether real or simulated, which involves lack of consent.
- the infliction of pain or
physical harm, real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance
may be made for mild consensual activity.
- any sexual threats or
humiliation which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing
game.
- the use of any form of physical
restraint which prevents participants from withdrawing consent, for
example, ball gags.
- penetration by any object likely to
cause actual harm or associated with violence.
- activity which is degrading or
dehumanising (examples include the portrayal of bestiality, necrophilia,
defecation, urolagnia).
The following content, subject to the above, may be
permitted
- aroused genitalia
- masturbation
- oral-genital
contact including kissing, licking and sucking
- penetration
by finger, penis, tongue, vibrator or dildo
- non-harmful fetish
material
- group sexual
activity
- ejaculation and
semen
These guidelines make no distinction between
heterosexual and homosexual activity.
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