Research Into The BBFC - Miss Miller

The British Board Of Film Classification known as the BBFC is an non-governmental and non-profit organisation it was created in 1912 by the film industry, it consists of highly experienced regulators who are responsible for the censorship and age ranking of films in the United Kingdom. The BBFC was established to protect the public, primarily children against the violent content shown in some films. On average the BBFC views and classifies 600 films, 12,000 DVDs 200 trailers and 800 adverts, and from all of these only 29 have been rejected in the last 10 years. Furthermore, the BBFC give parents and the general public the power to make viewing choices for themselves. As well as this the BBFC constantly use primary research to research into the changing social attitudes towards media content they do this by talking to the public and asking their opinions about what they feel should be suitable for the different type of age rankings. 

In film classification the 'U' represents universal which means that it is suitable for all. The requirements for a film to be rated 'U' include that the film is appropriate for children aged four and over. The film should not contain any reference's to drugs, sex or alcohol additionally, it should not include any violence which a young child could copy such as using weapons as well as bad language as this is not tolerated however, they do allow mild bad languages like 'damn' and 'hell' and mild violence.


Disney's 2014 version of Cinderella is a 'U' rated film. Cinderella was given the 'U' rating as throughout the whole film it does not once reference anything unsuitable for a child age four and above. It only contains mild scenes of emotional upset which is considered by the BBFC suitable for children to watch. In this modern version of Cinderella the story is still the same where by a poor young girl who is made to be her wicked step mother and sisters slave has her fairy godmother help her get into the princes ball where she then accidentally leaves behind her glass slipper, which results in Prince Charming going on a search for his true love, Cinderella.

'PG' stands for parental guidance which means that the film is suitable for the general public however, some scenes could be unsuitable for children. This is because not all 'PG' films are made for children, the rating just means that a child is able to watch it. 'PG' films could contain a small amount of mild bad language or violence however, there would only be references to drugs or sex which would be said in a comical way or in a way that a young child would not understand what is being talked about. Nevertheless, 'PG' films often talk about issues such a bullying, racism or bereavement.

An example of 'PG' film is Who Framed Roger Rabbit Which was released in 1989. In the film Eddie Valiant who is a private eye is hired by a cartoon producer called R.K. Maroon to investigate an adultery offence which involved Jessica Rabbit who happened to be the wife of Maroon's biggest star, Roger Rabbit. However, when Marvin Acme who was Jessica's lover and also the owner of Toontown was found murdered, the despicable Judge Doom promises to capture Roger as he believes he is responsible for the murder. Therefore, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was rated 'PG' because although it is a child based film it does contain moderate violence as well as sex innuendos and mild language, also it talks about a bereavement which can be a sensitive issue for a child under the age of eight which is why it was rated 'PG'.

Films rated '12A' or '12' contains scenes which is not suitable for anyone under the age of twelve. The major difference between '12A' and '12' films are that a '12A' film could still be watched by a child under the age of twelve if accompanied by an adult as the BBFC have given the parents the right to choose whether they think that film is suitable for their child under the age of twelve. Generally, in this film characterisation strong language and sex references are allowed if they are moderate. Violence is shown as long as it does not go into detail the same regulations apply with drugs. Some horror films can be passed as a '12A' or '12' as long as not everything scene is disturbing and that the psychological or physical threat is only moderate. Moreover, no discrimination is allowed unless it is clearly condemned.

A film which is an example of a '12A' would be The Lucky One (2012) staring Zac Efron. This film is about a U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault who has returned from Iraq, but he has returned with one sentimental item which he cherishes, a photograph of a strange women he has never met. He then comes to learn where she lives and that her name is Beth so he shows up at her door and gets a job at her family-run kennel. Even though she has many problems in her life at that precise moment, her and Logan still develop a romance. Making Logan believe that Beth may be more than just his good luck charm. This film is a romance and drama, it got rated a '12A' because although it contains sex and violence they are only moderate amounts which are acceptable for a twelve year old to watch or a child younger than the age of twelve if they are accompanied by an adult.





Meet The Fockers is an example of a '12' film, realised in 2004 it is the squeal to Meet The Parents. In the film Greg Focker along side his fiance Pam are looking forward to getting married but first Pam's family must meet Greg's parents. Greg's laid back, hippy parents however, do not see eye to eye with Pam's uptight and over controlling parents. The film was classed '12' because it uses continuous strong language which would be un-acceptable for anyone under the age of twelve. Additionally, in one scene they include a drug reference as well as moderate sex references through out other scenes.

Any film rated '15' is not suitable for anyone under the age of fifteen and no one under the age of fifteen is permitted to purchase a cinema ticket or buy or rent a '15' rated film even if they are with an adult. In a '15' rated film there is strong language however, there is a limit to stronger terms and also continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed for a '15'. There can be strong references to sex but, especially strong references will most likely not be acceptable as well as this sexual activity can be shown as long as it is not in a lot of detail. Sexual violence is allowed to be discussed but can not be shown unless it is discreet or fits into the films context. '15' classified films are able to show violence but they are not allowed to go into detain on the pain or injury and gory images are unlikely to be acceptable for showing. During '15' films drug taking can appear but the film cannot in anyway promote or be influential in drug misuse and the use of particularly dangerous drugs is unlikely to be in a '15' film. In addition some horror films can be age '15' as strong threat and horror can be shown as long as there is no focus on sexualised threat.

 Friends With Benefits (2011) is about Justin Timberlake who's character Dylan is best friends with Jamie (Mila Kunis) however, there relationship between them turns complicated when they start to become romantic. They believe adding sex to their friendship would be easy but they soon realise it isn't quite as simple when complications soon arise. Friends With Benefits is classed as a '15' because it contains a lot of strong language, sex and sex references which are not age appropriate for anyone under the age of fifteen as these themes are consistent through out the film.

'18' classified films usually consist of strong language which unlike on the previous ratings of films has no limit on the number of times strong language is used or what context it is used in. Racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language are also accepted as well as very strong violence and horror scenes in detail and involving gore or threats are suitable, besides this drug taking is accepted as long as it does not promote the misuse of drugs. Moreover, full nudity and sex can be shown with no limits to to how it is portrayed also explicit sex references are permitted. Therefore, '18' rated films are not appropriate for anyone under he age of eighteen and are suitable only for adults.

A example of a '18' classed film is The Wolf Of Wall Street realised in 2013. In the film Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker. In which when he looses his job in a big brokerage firm and still in his 20's he decides to open his own stockbrokers, Stratton Oakmont. Belfort does this with his lieutenant who he met in a bar and with other brokers which he new previously. Even though Stratton Oakmont is making a fortune it is being done by defrauding millions out of wealthy investors which the SEC and FBI are looking into and soon close the stockbrokers down. Nevertheless, while this is taking place Belfort and the rest of the brokers are indulging in the acts of taking a lot of drugs and drinking during the day at work as well as at night. For this reason the BBFC has age rated the film '18' as it also includes very strong language and sex scenes which are un-acceptable and not appropriate for anyone under the age of eighteen to watch as well as a lot of hard drug use taking part through out the film.


To conclude, the BBFC is important in regards to films as they allow parents to know what type of film there child is watching and give the parents the choice to make the final judgement whether their child is ready to see the type of scenes that may show in different classifications of films. The BBFC also know what is appropriate for various ages to watch and they respect that adults have a freedom of choice with what they watch. Additionally, they are able to respond and adapt the age ratings of films by researching into the changing social attitudes towards media content.
By researching into the BBFC and their age certificates it has helped me to gain an understanding into who i want my target audience to be for my thriller sequence and so when i create the content for my thriller sequence i will be able to follow the BBFC's guidelines as to what is allowed to be shown. With my thriller sequence i want it to be age '15' classification as it allows a bigger variation of what can be shown. However, i will still have to be careful as not too much violence or sexual content is allowed also, that i do not include anything in great detail which can then be copied by a younger viewer. Furthermore, i will have to make sure that my thriller sequence obey the rules of the BBFC '15' age rating.