Certificate Research

Certificate Research 

(Age Ratings)

Films in Britain all have a specific age rating, set by the British Board of Film Classification. They do this to clarify what age is suitable for the film you're about to watch. For example if the film is inappropriate for younger children, the film will have an Age Rating suited to the films content. 

 The first age rating is U, the U stands for Universal. This explains that the following film is suitable for all ages. However a U film should be suitable for people aged four and over. In a U film there is minimal bad language, the extent it reaches is 'hell' and 'damn'. There is minimal sexual references, for example it may include kissing or cuddling. Violence will be generally mild, for example there might be a 'bad guy' however they typically don't tend to be scary, incase young children watch.

 This certificate is PG. This stands for Parental Guidance. This explains that it is suitable for general viewing however it may not be suitable for some children, therefore parental guidance is advised. Things such as Violence and Sex are kept mild, for example if a child is unlikely to understand a sexual reference it might be used in the context.

This certificate explains that it isn't suitable for children under the age of 12. However the A explains that if a child wishes to see the film that is under the age of 12, they must be accompanied with an Adult incase the child is upset by any of the content. Things such as sex, violence and strong language are brief however might be mentioned, this explains why an adult must accompany the child.

This certificate isn't that much different from 12A however it means that children under the age of 12 are not permitted to watch the film as inappropriate scenes or comments may be included, people over the age of 12 are permitted to watch the movie with or without an adult present. Things such as Verbal sex references and violence should not go beyond what young teenagers would be comfortable with.

The age certificate of 15 explains that children under the age of 15 are not permitted to watch. Age 15 films may include:

• Strong language
• Violence
• Sexual nudity
• Discriminatory behaviour or language
• Drug use

The certificate of 18 explains that the film is only suitable for adults over the age of 18. Films that are given the certificate of 18 are likely to include things such as:

• Strong Violence
• Scenes of Sexual Violence
• Strong discriminatory behaviour or language
• Strong horror, blood, gore etc.
• Sex (in certain circumstances)