BBFC, set up in 1912, is the British Board of Classification, which is in charge of determining what ages are suitable to see specific films. U, which stands for Universal, is the first in the list and means that this film is suitable for all and that these films should "be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror."
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate U:
Theme: Treatment of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate to a younger audience.
Language: Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity: Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex: Mild sexual behaviour (e.g., kissing) and references only (e.g., to 'making love').
Violence: Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Imitable techniques: No emphasis on realistic weapons.
Horror: Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take account of the presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.
Drugs: No references to illegal drugs or drug use.
In November 1982, the BBFC introduced certificate PG. In general, a PG is suitable for any children and should not shock any children over 8, however parents are advised to take into consideration the film for their own children. In 1985, this certificate was carried over to video releases.
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate PG:
Theme: More serious issues may be featured, eg crime, domestic violence, racism (providing nothing in their treatment condones them).
Language: Mild bad language only.
Nudity: Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sexual references and innuendo only.
Violence: Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed - if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).
Imitable techniques: No glamorisation of realistic, contemporary weapons. No detail of fighting or other dangerous techniques.
Horror: Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Drugs: No references to illegal drugs or drug use unless entirely innocuous.
The 12a certificate is only available for cinema releases.
For DvD/Blu-Ray releases the 12 certificate is used.
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate 12:
Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language: The use of strong language should be rare and must be justified by context.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context will be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sexual references may reflect the familiarity of most adolescents today with sex education through school.
Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly indicated and without physical detail.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (examples include: combat, hanging, suicides) should contain no imitable detail. Realistic and contemporary weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror: Sustained threat and menace is permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs: Brief and occasional references to, and sight of, 'soft' drug-taking (eg cannabis) are allowed, but must be justified by context and should indicate the dangers. No instructional elements are permitted.
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate 15:
Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language: There may be frequent use of strong language; the strongest terms are only rarely acceptable. Continued aggressive use of strong language and sexual abuse is unacceptable.
Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex: Sexual activity and nudity may be portrayed but without strong detail. The depiction of casual sex should be handled responsibly. There may be occasional strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence: Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain, and of injuries. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives).
Horror: Sustained or detailed infliction of pain or injury is unacceptable.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug use.
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate 18:
The BBFC respects the right of adults to chose their own entertainment, within the law. It will therefore expect to intervene only rarely in relation to '18' rated cinema films. In the case of videos, which are more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent.
There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board may, however, cut or reject the following content: - any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use - the more explicit images of sexual activity - unless they can be exceptionally justified by context
Sex Education at '18': Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Sex Works at '18': Material which appears to be simulated is generally passed '18', while images of real sex are confined to the 'R18' category.
These are the boundaries that the BBFC follow for certificate R18:
To be supplied only in licensed sex shops to adults of not less than 18 years. The 'R18' category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit videos of consenting sex between adults. Such videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops, of which there are currently about 90 in the UK. 'R18' videos may not be supplied by mail order.
We are doing a certificate PG movie.
By Michael Kitchen, Ed Selvey, Jake Barrett and Adam Gardiner