Film Classifications

What are Film Classifications?
Film classifications are used all over the world and vary from country to country as each country has its own guideline. Film classifications are put in place in order to make the audience aware of what the context of the film is. Although guidelines vary throughout the world there is not a dramatic change in them, they only differ very slightly. They tend to consist of similar guidelines therefore the context of the film is very similar

How are films classified?
There are many different boards of classification which have different guidelines. Each country has its own board of film classification and has different names according to the place. In Britain we have the British Board of Film Classification.
Each board has its own guidelines, and each film that is submitted to the board will be reviewed, and then placed into one of the classifications. These classifications depend on many factors. Each factor is taken into account as well as the amount it is used.
These factors include:
*Violence
*Sex Scenes
*Nudity
*Drug Use
*Language
*Themes
*Horror

Before any film is released, or any film, video, or DVD is sold it must be made sure that it is correctly classified. Any film also showing the cinemas must be classified correctly by the BBFC. It is an offence for a film bein sold or shown in cinemas not to be classified or to have the wrong symbol.

Classifications...
To help the group produce a sequence which is appropriate for our chosen audience, and to take into account what would be suitable for our audience according to official policies and guidelines, I researched current film classification. The website I used in order to gain knowledge on the different classifications was www.bbfc.co.uk – the official website of the British Board of Film Classification.

Certificate Uc & U
No one can ever be certain on what may or may not upset a particular child. A U film must be suitable for children above the age of four. They should be set in a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalance to any violence, threat or horror.

Certificate PG
This stands for parental guidance. This is general viewing but some things may be unsuitable for a child to watch therefore children must be accompanied by adults. A PG film must not disturb a child aged around 8 or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Certificate 12 & 12A
A 12A film is suitable for children of the age of 12 and older. No one younger than the age of 12 must see a film which is ‘12A’ unless accompanied by an adult. No one younger than the age of 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video or DVD.

Certificate 15
This is suitable for 15years and older. No one under the age of 15 may see a ‘15’ film in cinemas or purchase a video or DVD.

Certificate 18
This is suitable only for adults. No one under the age of 15 may see a ‘18’ film in cinemas or rent/buy a video or DVD.

Certificate R18
This should only be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of 18 and above. The ‘R18’ category is special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex between adults. ‘R18’ films must not be supplied by mail or post.


After having a look at the different classifications of films and looking at different films that fall into these categories, I now have a greater idea of what is legally recognized in our opening sequence.