Research into the BBFC- Miss Miller

The BBFC

The BBFC is an annual report in which provides reviews of films of which classification was decided to be represented of the specific type of film, over the duration of the year.


The 'British Board of Film Censors' was created in 1912. The BBFC was created to create comfort towards parents in which provides them with information towards what they're children will be watching. It is to keep children that are underage of the specific age classification of a film safe and not affect them mentally. After this was created, this then made the whole industry of film-making more successful as you can be immediately informed towards what a certain film includes, and instantly protect children who are of a younger age being exposed towards sexual behaviour, extreme violence and also the use of illegal drugs. This was produced to protect the public eye, allowing the public especially parents to feel confident and at ease when going to the cinema and making sure them and peers are not exploited with any sequences.

How the classification works.

In order to protect mainly children from innapropiate and sinful content in films and videos and to give costumers information they might need about a precise media before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines carefully what film fits into what category before they are released to the public.

What does U mean?

The U symbol stands for Universal. A 'U' film should be suitable for everyone aged 4 and above. However, it is unpredictable towards what  might upset a particular child, so making it as sensible as possible, making sure the whole audience has enjoyed their experience of watching a particular film. By having a film classed as a 'U' is meant that there is nothing that would affect a child towards they might not understand. There will defiantly not be any sense of sexual behaviour, any interpretation of drug use or any violent behaviour. In some cases there is some fight scenes, but is quickly resolved in a friendly manner. 

Example- Princess Diaries (2001) is about a normal girl who finds out her grand mother is the queen of 'Genovia' and her grand daughter 'Mia' is the princess. It is a story about a normal girl suddenly living a famous life, where people treat her differently. This film is mainly a comedy as the main character 'Mia,' a very geeky character and is having trouble adjusting to the princess life. There is no sexual behaviour towards any scenes of this film, except from a scene where the most popular boy which she has had a crush on her entire life finally notices her at a party. They both go into a sort of shack like beach house, where you would expect a kissing scene but quickly turns into the boy asking for a foot rub, an example towards types of comedy that children enjoy.  Parents knowing this movie is rated 'U' shows no sense of worry,profanity or violence. But that does not make it a kids-only movie. This is a family movie, a movie that the whole family would enjoy without any uncomfortable scenes.

What does PG mean?

PG stands for Parental Guidance. Meaning that this certain type of film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable and unsettling for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged 8 or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, and making the decision towards if more sensitive children should be allowed to watch it or not. A child cannot watch a 'PG' film without parental guidance if the child is aged younger than 12 years. This classification was made to allow minor explicit content towards violence and romance scenes towards children that understand what's going on, without any type of unsettling material in which will damage a childs imagination or upset them in any way.

Example-Frozen (2013). This film is about a princess 'Elsa' who was blessed with a power of ice, 'Anna' the sister of 'Elsa,' both loved the play with the advantage of her super power. As Elsa got older her powers grew stronger, more than she could handle. In one scene she accidentally injured Anna, which could affect some audiences which makes it suitable for parental guidance. She started to distance herself from humanity because of how dangerous she became. Always staying in her room. Her and Anna became very unclose, especially after they're parents died when they were overseas, Anna felt lonelier than ever, showing a sad scene of this film which could be potentially upsetting to younger audiences. One day was a ceremony, meaning everyone in the village came to the palace, which turned into a disaster for Elsa. Everyone found out about her secret powers and she ran towards the snow mountain. As her powers are interpreted to be dangerous, this then could be potentially upsetting for the young  audience, as the two sisters are departed for some duration of the film, making this film liscensed as 'Parental Guidance,' making it comforting for people that may be upset by this. This film is appropiate because there is characters within this film like a talking snowman called 'Olaf,' and a friendly reindeer. It Is suitable for the classifcation of 'PG' because of the fact there is a scary snowman, snarling wolves, severe storm, men armed with weapons, and a character who in which nearly dies of death, these are all things in which a child could potentially become upset over, so by having a parent observing will make it comforting and enjoyable.

What does the 12A symbol mean?

Films classified '12A' and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. This age classifcation will inlove a moderate amound of explicit, sexual scenes but nothing that would harm the young mind the a young adult. It is adviced that no one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child and whether they are comfortable with them watching minor scenes they may not understand and may find upsetting. '12' rated films also include some drug use and more voilence.

Example- Hunger Games Catching Fire (2013). This film is bonbarded with voilent scenes. The story line towards this film is people in every district are picked to take part in the annual 'Hunger Games,' whcih involves extreme amounts of voilence and death until the last contestant stands. You are fighting for your life. This could be potentially be disruptive to a childs mind as effects throughout the movie are extremely realistic. After 'Katniss Everdeen' has now returned home alive after winning the 74th 'Hunger Games' along with partner in the same district 'Peeta Mellark.' This film is all about rebelling from the rules, in which the main character 'Katniss' does a lot, this could be interprettted to inspire young children that look up to that character, in some senses change their behaviour to be more like her. This is why having the classifcation of '12' is suitable as they are young teenagers, they realise what is right or wrong as they are young adults. By having parental guidance with someone who is of a younger age than 12, provides comfort if they are feeling frightened or uncomfortable. This movie is rated 12a due to its continuous violence and recurring death within the film, meaning that it would be inappropriate for viewers under the age of 12 as they could interpret it into an alarming futuristic situation as the film is meant to be set into the future. 

What does the 15 symbol mean?

No-one under 15 would be allowed to see a 15 rated film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. Films classified age 15 are rated this way due to sexual behviour, use of illegal drugs, swearing, overuse of alcohol, and also lots of violent behaviour. Anyone under the age of 15 and watching a 15 rated movie could find it extremely uncomfortable and potentially upsetting.

Example- The Hangover(2009) this film is about drinking more than a sensible amount of alcohol in the party capital of the world- Vegas. Then the next day having to figure out what you did the night before and way. There is a range of immature things that children would not understand, for example all of the character waking up in a hotel room with a monkey that behaved sexually in the film touching gential parts and a viscous lion in the bathroom. The reason they got this drunk was because it was one of the characters 'Stews' bachelor party, making it seem almost acceptable towards what their antics were that night.People ages 15 and above enjoy types of films like this because they find it extremely funny, this is why this particular movie was so successful and then went on to create a 'Hangover 2.' This film includes an extreme amount of sexual preferences; for example, revealing breast and one man degrading the women by saying 'I married a whore,' and seeing a few 'sex dolls' I'm the bath at the beginning. People under the age of 15 would not understand the concept towards the humour of this film and could feel obliged to use it to other people, inspiring young children in the wrong way to do bad things as they are growing up. There is also some violence with as they are missing there friend 'Doug' and a Man Chinese man said he would return him back for money. Again, a concept in which children could not understand. If young children watched the 'Hangover,' could inspire them to see what's it like when feeling drunk or hungover, setting a bad example towards the younger generation.

What does the 18 symbol mean?

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children. Contains extreme amount of sexual behaviour, violence towards each other and drug use. Anyone under the age of 18 could feel potentially harmed by the explicitness of a film, making them feel uncomfortable and upset. The age rate 15 and 18 seem similar but only in the way of what they include, he classification of an 18 is much more explicit and defiantly not suitable for young children.

Example- American Pie (1999) Four teenage boys enter a pact to lose their virginity by prom night. This is so,etching children of young teenagers may not understand why they are making a pact on this particular night and feel confused throughout the film.
Lots of sexual content within the film, making it a very explicit type of film, involving nudity and sexual behaviour. For example, within the film I n two different scenes, a character 'Kevin' is shown gazing through a book called the "Sex Bible." In the Unrated Version he first learns that his enemy is the Vibrator; then he sees some drawings of sex positions. He done this to gain extra knowledge within the sexual world, which is something you would not want your child or young friend to be getting information about. In the picture of American Pie, you can see a girl leaning forward showing her clevage, and a man shirtless standing next to her, which immediately gives an interpretation to the audience that there would be sexual scene throughout this certain film. There is also a group of friends behind which shows that they are teenagers behind immature about the term of 'sex,' as no one wants to get left behind in loosing their virginity, so a friendship of peace within the sexual world is not something young teenagers or children should be making within their friendship group.