British Board of Film Classification research

This video explains the basics on what the British Board of Film Classifications is all about, but underneath are more defined definitions of them all.

BBFC animation by Abbie328 on GoAnimate

Underneath this video is more information that couldn't fit on to the little animation.

There is more indepth research on to what this mini animation talks about. This talks about the different age categories and the different certificates and on why they are different.

Starting from the beginning we have:


The U actually stands for Universal and the film is usual suitable for everybody, but if the child watches the film they have to be above the ages of four. A problem that occurs when rating films a U is that it is difficult to predict may end up upsetting a child. Ofcourse due to the U being universal and set for children, films will only allow light refrences to sexual behviour, for example kissing or cuddling, but no language or innuendoes and for language they will only allow mild words such as damn/ hell/ bloody/ bugger. These will be the only issues that will be allowed in a U, however they may also include mild refrences to hetrosexuals and homosexuals.



This one is straightforward and on what the video said, PG stands for Parental Guidance and this means that the film is suitable for anyone to view, however some scenes may not be fully suitable for younger children so parents have to consider whether the content in the film may be upsetting for younger and more sensitive children. Even though the film has been given the PG certificate, it doesn't mean that the film was just made for children, an example of this: Rise of The Guardians, this film did have children in mind, but they do host entertaining references and humour for older years to enjoy. A PG has no prohibited theme, but just as long as it is treated in an appropriate manner in a certain category. These films can explore challenging issues in the world, such as domestic violence, bereavement or racism, but they aren't the main theme, just subtly touching on the topic. If a film shows any of the acting children or characters smoking or drinking then there should be a clear message explaining that it is bad as both of these things are not allowed to be glamorised. Although, if drugs are mentioned then the PG work should emphasise that they are highly harmful.


As the video explains, a 12 is for the DVDs, Videos and Bluerays, and the 12A is for films at the cinema only because anyone aged 12 or over can see the film without there parents. The A actually stands for Accompanied and Advisory as for children younger than 12 will have to see the film accompanied by an adult to watch the film with them, due to the overall "tone" of a film or DVD by the way it makes the audience feel, this will affect the certificate in the end. For example if a film hosts a dark or unsettling tone then this could end up disturbing the audience then this would be less likely to be passed as 12A. The same thing can happen if the film is particularly positive or reassuring that this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15.
The films that are 12 do state that there may be strong language, but it has to be infrequent and the context has to be important. If the strong language is used aggressively than it may end up being pushed into the 15 category. When it comes to sexual portrayal then due to the film being a 12A then it has to be brief or discreet, most of the time sex is portrayed through references or slight nudity,  but all of these can not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.

15 is the classification for no one under 15 is allowed to watch the film at the cinema or even buy/ rent it because the themes and subjects that the film may hold might not be suitable for children under this specific age. Due to its age classification, no theme is prohibited just as long as it is appropriate for 15 year olds. Here is a list of the sort of works that may be included in the 15 classification:
Strong violence
Frequent strong language
Portrayls of sexual activity
stong verbal references to sex
Sexual  nudity
Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references o sexual violence
Discriminatory language or behaviour
Drug taking

There may also be racism, homophobic or discriminatory language. When it comes to sexual activity displayed in a 15, it can be portrayed just as long as there isn't any strong or graphic detail.
Most horror films are displayed as a 15, this is because there can be strong threat or menace (it can't be sadistic or sexualised), and possibly the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. There may also be  display of drug taking, but the film has to send out a message about the dangerous usage and must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

Everyone knows that an 18 film is only for adults and the same rule applies for the 15, no one under 18 is allowed to view at the cinema or buy it at a shop without ID. This is because of:
Very strong violence
Frequent an strong langauge
Strong portrayals of sexual activity
Scenes of sexual violence
Strong horror that caninclude gore, blood
Real sex in some circumstances
Discriminatory language or behaviour
When it comes to  themes, the adults can pick anything for there own entertainment within the law, so it is possible that some themes can actually end up offending the adult viewers. There is no limit when it comes to the language that is displayed in the film, nor is there a limit on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Strong and detailed sexual nature can be displayed, but if there are any clear iages of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or others strong images then these will be confinded to the last category- R18. "Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18". Alike all of the other classifications if they host drugs, the there must be a clear and define message, therefore not promoting drugs misuse.
There can be cuts in an 18 film if:
Material breaches the criminal law,  or has been created through the commission of a criminal offense.
Material risks harm to individuals, or through their behaviour to society.
and the sexual activity that is talked of above.

Last, but not least we have R18 which is talked a little bit in the 18 classification. this is where the classification is for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. These films are usually only shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas and the film is only bought in licensed sex shops, they can not be supplied by the mail as they can only be seen or sold to adults. you'll find a hard time on trying to search for them because they are filtered out from the main public search because of the explicit or offensive title, if found online you will have to enter the date of birth.

Most of this information was taken from:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/