Universal - Suitable for evryone
A ‘U’ film should be appropriate for audiences aged four years and over.
· No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
· No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are rare and inoffensive, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
· Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause unnecessary anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
· No possibly dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
· Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
· Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
· Slight sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
· While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
· Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Parental Guidance
‘PG’ rated films are for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
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.
· Discriminatory language or behaviour is improbable to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.
· References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be harmless or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
· Frightening works should not be lengthy or powerful. Fantasy settings may be a justifying factor.
· No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.
· Mild bad language only for example ‘stupid’.
· Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
· Sexual activity may be indirect, but should be unnoticeable and rare. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
· Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should overlook unacceptable behaviour.
· Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).
Suitable for 12 years and over
The ‘12A’ category is only used for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult (18 and over) and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
The ‘12’ category is only used for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.
· Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be permitted by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
· Any misuse of drugs must be uncommon and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.
· Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or continued.
· Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not reside on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
· Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be occasional.
· Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
· Sexual activity may be temporarily and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
· Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
· Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no importance on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly specified, and must have a strong contextual justification.
Suitable for '15' years and over
No one younger than 15 may view a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
· The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
· A ‘15’ film permits drug taking but as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
· Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
· Dangerous behaviour (for examples suicide) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
· There may be frequent use of strong language may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
· Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.
· Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
· Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Suitable for adults
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.
where the works is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
- where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, illegal drug use and sexualised violence.
- where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate people in human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.
To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.
The ‘R18’ class is a special and legally restricted classification mainly for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:
- any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
- material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
- the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
- the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
- penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
- any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.
These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation.
