History of British film certificates
Encyclopedia
Overview
The UK's film ratings are decided by the British Board of Film ClassificationBritish Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification , originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom...
and have been since 1912. Previously, there were no agreed rating standards, and local councils imposed their own - often differing - conditions or restrictions. For cinema releases, the BBFC has no legal power (technically, films do not even have to be submitted for classification), as it falls to councils to decide who should be admitted to a certain film, but they generally apply the BBFC's certificates, effectively making them legally-binding. In exceptional cases, councils may impose their own conditions, either raising or lowering the minimum entry age from the certificate, banning a certified film outright, or setting their own minimum entry age for films that have never been submitted for BBFC certification, or which have been refused a certificate by the Board.
Prior to 1985, there were no legally-binding ratings on video releases. The Video Recordings Act 1984
Video Recordings Act 1984
The Video Recordings Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed in 1984. It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or for hire within the UK must carry a classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office...
introduced new legal powers to certify video releases independently from any existing cinema certificate, with the BBFC being given responsibility to rate every new video release (except those exempted from classification) to determine the minimum age of people to whom the recording can be supplied, whether by sale or rental.
The following list chronicles the BBFC's ratings system from its inception to the present. Note that what is allowed in a film has greatly changed over time. A film rated 'A' in 1912 would probably be rated 'PG' or 'U' now.
In each section, italics indicates when a certificate has changed since the previous system.
1912–1932
At first, there were just two advisory certificates.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Universal | Suitable for children |
 |
Adult | Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult |
1932–1951
An H (Horror) certificate was added to alert parents to horror-themed material.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Universal | Suitable for children |
|
Adult | Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult |
 |
Horror | Some councils ruled that only those aged 16 or over could be admitted |
1951–1970
For the first time, a compulsory certificate, X, was introduced allowing only those aged 16 and older to enter. This replaced the H certificate.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Universal | Suitable for children |
|
Adult | Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult |
 |
X | Suitable for those aged 16 and older (enforced by all councils) |
1970–1982
On 1 July 1970 the A certificate was split into two: the A certificate now allowed those aged five and older to be admitted, but warned parents that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film, while the new AA allowed only those aged 14 or over to be admitted. As there was now a mandatory certificate at 14, the X certificate was modified to raise its age from 16 to 18. The classification symbols were given a more modern look, replacing the ageing logos that had served the BBFC for almost 60 years.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Universal | Suitable for children |
 |
A | Those aged 5 and older admitted, but parents advised that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film |
 |
AA | Suitable for those aged 14 and older |
 |
X | Suitable for those aged 18 and older |
1982–1985
On 1 November 1982 the ratings system was completely overhauled with only the U certificate remaining unchanged (though its description was slightly modified). The A certificate was replaced by PG, which was now completely advisory. The age of AA was raised a year and the certificate was renamed 15. The X certificate was unchanged but renamed 18 due to the lewd reputation that the letter X had acquired. A new R18 certificate was introduced for sexually-explicit films. In order to show R18 films, cinemas must be licensed members-only clubs (previously, a loophole allowed these clubs to show such films unrated).| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Universal | Suitable for all | |
| Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children | |
| 15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older | |
| 18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older | |
| Restricted 18 | Restricted for those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas |
1985–1989
The Video Recordings Act 1984Video Recordings Act 1984
The Video Recordings Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed in 1984. It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or for hire within the UK must carry a classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office...
gave the BBFC the legal responsibility to rate all videos. The current certificates were all used, though a new Uc certificate was introduced for videos only to indicate a recording that is especially suitable for young children to watch on their own. Those under the age of a certificate could not buy or rent a video with that certificate. Shops wishing to sell or rent R18 videos had to apply for a licence. In August 2009 it was discovered that the Video Recordings Act 1984 never had legal effect, due to a technical error when the terms of the act were not communicated to the European Commission. The relevant provisions were re-enacted by Parliament as the Video Recordings Act 2010
Video Recordings Act 2010
The Video Recordings Act 2010 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that received Royal Assent on 21 January 2010. The Act repealed and then brought back into force parts of the Video Recordings Act 1984 which related to the regulation of video recordings...
.
| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Children | Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only) | |
| Universal | Suitable for all (now also covers videos) | |
| Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children (now also covers videos) | |
| 15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older (now also covers videos) | |
| 18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older (now also covers videos) | |
| Restricted 18 | Restricted for those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas and shops (now also covers videos) |
1989–1994
Due to the large gap between PG and 15 and industry pressure regarding BatmanBatman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
, a 12 certificate was introduced on 1 August 1989. However, it was for cinema use only and did not cover videos. 12 films released on video would typically be classified 15, though they were sometimes edited to fit the PG category. All of the symbols were also graphically edited.
| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Universal Children | Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only) |
 |
Universal | Suitable for all |
 |
Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children |
 |
12 | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (cinema only) |
 |
15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older |
 |
18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older |
 |
Restricted 18 | Restricted for those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas and shops. Those that do not have the license may suffer a fine if they sell R18 films. |
1994–2002
The 12 certificate was also introduced for videos on 1 July 1994.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Universal Children | Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only) |
|
Universal | Suitable for all |
|
Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children |
|
12 | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (now also covers videos) |
|
15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older |
|
18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older |
|
Restricted 18 | Restricted to those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas and sex shops. The latter will not require a license to sell R18 films. |
2002–2009
The cinema 12 certificate was modified and renamed 12A. Those under 12 could now be admitted to 12A films, provided that they were accompanied by an adult, although the BBFC recommends that 12A films are generally unsuitable for children under 8 years old. Contrary to popular belief, the certificate was not introduced for the film Spider-ManSpider-Man (film)
Spider-Man is a 2002 American superhero film, the first in the Spider-Man film series based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It was directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp...
, the first film to receive it was actually The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Identity (2002 film)
The Bourne Identity is a 2002 American spy film loosely based on Robert Ludlum's novel of the same name. It stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, an amnesiac attempting to discover his true identity amidst a clandestine conspiracy within the Central Intelligence Agency . The film also stars Franka...
. However, Spider-Man and other films still on general release at the time were reclassified as 12A. Introduction of the 12A followed two years of consultation and a trial period in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, during which time the certificate was known as PG-12 (see below). The video 12 certificate remained unchanged. Shortly after the new certificate was introduced, all of the symbols were graphically modernised but retained all their main features (colour, shape, etc.).
| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
 |
Universal Children | Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video and DVD only) |
 |
Universal | Suitable for all |
 |
Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children |
 |
12 Accompanied/Advisory | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (cinema only); under 12s admitted, but only if accompanied by an adult |
 |
12 | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (video and DVD only) |
 |
15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older |
 |
18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older |
 |
Restricted 18 | Restricted for those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas and sex shops |
2009–present
The Uc certificate was retired in 2009.| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Universal | Suitable for all |
|
Parental Guidance | General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children |
|
12 Accompanied/Advisory | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (cinema only); under 12s admitted, but only if accompanied by an adult |
|
12 | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (video and DVD only) |
|
15 | Suitable for those aged 15 and older |
|
18 | Suitable for those aged 18 and older |
|
Restricted 18 | Restricted for those aged 18 and older and only available at licensed cinemas and sex shops |
Non-standard certificates and ratings
| Symbol | Name | Definition/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PG-12 | Suitable for those aged 12 and older (cinema only); under 12s admitted, but only if accompanied by an adult. This experimental certificate was used during a short BBFC trial in Norwich from October 2001 to January 2002, in which all 12 certificate films on release were classed as PG-12. Norwich was chosen due to its relative isolation from other large towns, in order to avoid significant numbers of children travelling there to specifically take advantage of the relaxed controls. The results of the trial led to the adoption of the 12A later in 2002. Between the end of the Norwich trial and the actual introduction of the 12A, a PG-12 rating was used by Tameside Tameside The Metropolitan Borough of Tameside is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in North West England. It is named after the River Tame which flows through the borough and spans the towns of Ashton-under-Lyne, Audenshaw, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Hyde, Mossley and Stalybridge. Its western... Council in June 2002 for Spider-Man, over-ruling the BBFC's 12 certification of the film. In addition, some other councils awarded the film a PG certificate . |
|
| Exempt or 'E certificate E certificate In British film classifications, the E certificate is an unofficial rating given to video titles released in the United Kingdom which are exempt from being classified by the British Board of Film Classification as any of the other certificate categories.Material that is exempt from classification... ' |
The 'E' in a square, triangle, circle, or similar, is not a BBFC rating certificate, but rather a statement from the distributor certifying that they believe a video recording is exempt from classification under the Video Recordings Act 1984 Video Recordings Act 1984 The Video Recordings Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed in 1984. It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or for hire within the UK must carry a classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office... (e.g. educational material, music and sport). |
See also
- BBFCBritish Board of Film ClassificationThe British Board of Film Classification , originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom...
- 18 certificate18 certificateThe 18 certificate is issued by the British Board of Film Classification to state that, in its opinion, a film, video recording, or game should not be seen or purchased by a person under 18 years old....
- R18 certificateR18 certificateThe R18 certificate represents a film or video classification given by the British Board of Film Classification . It is intended to provide a classification for works that are within British obscenity laws, but exceed what the BBFC considers acceptable for its 18 certificate...
- Motion picture rating systems