Certificate Ratings - BBFC Research

Why are certificates designed?
Certificates are designed to help parents and guardians decide what their children can see as well as to prevent children from watching material aimed at older people, which may contain strong scenes of sex, horror maybe even violence.




Here, I will talk about all the different types of certificates that they’re for when going to watch the cinema. I will also talk about all the different possible reasons as to why it could be at that particular certificate and why the BBFC may have decided to choose a particular certificate for a particular film. After doing research about all the different certificates and their meanings, I will also apply it to my final 2 minute thriller opening. By doing research on the certificate ratings, I believe that it would give me a rough idea of the certificate rating that I will give to my film. 

Firstly, the BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification. They are an independent body which were established in the film industry in 1912. They were then made responsible for deciding the certificates for the different types of film, and it was their decision to allow what age group is allowed to see what type of film. The BBFC were responsible for the final decision of the certificate of a film, therefore whatever they (along with the Local Authorities) had said, was final. Although the BBFC is responsible for the certificates of a film, the Local Authorities, under the Licensing Act 2003, have the power to over right the decisions of the BBFC. However it rarely ever happens due to the fact that the BBFC is usually accurate.

 The BBFC does not only classify the certificate of films, they also classify the certificates of a few other things. For example, they classify things such as DVD’s, Games, Books and Magazines. This in my opinion shows how powerful and reliable the BBFC proves to be, due to the fact that it makes a lot of decisions. 

There are a few different certificates that I will be looking at below. I will firstly state what it is, the importance of it, what it means, why there is that particular certificate and also what it involves. There are 7 different certificates in which I will be talking about: U, PG, 12 & 12A, 15, 18, R18, I will also try to show examples of each of them. Below shows information about each of them:

This stands for Universal. This basically means that the film is suitable for all age groups. The universal benefits children under the age group of 12 the most, simply because this is all they can watch if they were alone. In order to make sure that films don’t upset or frighten younger children, when it’s marked as a U, you will be 100% certain that the film will be suitable for all ages from four years and above. Certificates that are rated with Universal should usually be set with positive framework and it should offer reassuring counterbalances to any threat or horror. Overall, a universal certificate is viewable for a pre-school child to watch alone and he/she wouldn’t need any parental guidance.

This stands for Parental Guidance. This basically means that a child has to be guided by their parent when viewing this film. This certificate generally applies to children at the age of 4 – 11. The difference with the Universal certificate and the Parental Guidance certificate is the fact that there may be some scenes that are unsuitable for young children which is why they may need to be accompanied by an adult. This could range from horror, to even a sad story which may hurt the child’s feelings. The BBFC claims that PG films shouldn’t disturb a child around the age of eight or older, however parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. 

This is a combined category. The ‘12’ alone, means that nobody below the age of 12 is allowed to watch the film. In order to watch a 12, you must be over the age of 12 to watch it. The reason for this is because there is only material and content that is suitable for people above the age of 12.

However ‘12A’ means that anyone below the age of 12 that wants to watch the film must be accompanied by an adult. The reason for this is because some parents/adults may feel that the content is suitable enough for their son or daughter to watch therefore they may go and accompany them.

This basically means that nobody below the age of 15 is allowed to watch the film. Even with parental guidance, they still wouldn’t be allowed to go and watch the film. The BBFC are very strict on this rule of making sure that teenagers especially are old enough to go and watch a particular film. The reason as to why it could be a 15 is because it may include some content that may not be viewable to those below the age 15. The aged 15 certificate also includes bad language and blood within them and this is something that may not be acceptable for younger viewers. This is very similar to the aged 18 certificate but only for a younger age and it includes more appropriate things.

This certificate basically means that nobody below the age of 18 can view or purchase a DVD rated 18. They can’t even watch it at the cinema or play games related to it. The certificate rated aged 18 is important. The reason for this is because it has the potential to include basically anything inside it. The reason for this is because it’s said that once you reach the age of 18, you are officially an adult therefore you could view anything or watch anything. When a certificate is usually rated at the age of 18, it usually includes things such as: Drugs, Sex, Alcohol, Weapons and Blood. Its made 18 so that people below the age of 18 won’t try and watch and imitate the film. 18 year olds and above are seen to be mature enough to watch the film.

This is a certificate which restricts some of the audience from viewing the 18 film. You also have to be above the age of 18 in order to view it as well. The difference with R18 and 18 is the fact that they are to be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops and to its not to be seen by adults under the age of 18. The BBFC says that the R18 category is a specially and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.