Film Classification - BBFC

The BBFC stands for the "British Board of Film Classification" This company is where they decide what age range classification is suitable for each film. They look at age ranges like U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18. This company is to decide what film is suitable for the correct age range, so this company tries to make sure that correct items like violence, discrimination or any other themes are suitable for the correct film for the correct age range to watch the film. By doing this they are editing or directing the company into the direct way for the suitable scenes in the film.

What do the different Age ranges mean?

U = This means that the film is suitable for all ages.

PG = This film is then all suitable for all ages, however it comes to parent's judgement for them to watch it.

12 = This film is always going to be suitable for people ages from 12 and over

12A = This is a cinema release which is where it is suitable for ages 12 and over however with a parent present.

15 = This is a film that is only suitable for people of aged 15 and over.

18 = This film is only suitable for people ages 18 and over.

18R = This is where you have to be fully 18 and over as it is fully restricted for the younger people of 18.

The reason why this film have been given these age range is because certain people can only watch films that are correct for their age range. This is decided by the BBFC and they have been given this change because of what is happening within the film.

Below are some examples of Horror films classified by the BBFC and why they have been given these ages:

The Woman in Black 

The Woman in Black was given an age rating of a classification of 12 by the BBFC. This was because it included very strong horror and physiological threat  

Paranormal Activity:

Paranormal Activity has been rates a 15. This is because this film contains strong language and threat. So therefore the BBFC would have rated this a 15 because of what it includes and because of the strong amount of language this would be suitable for the 15 and over. This is because as well of the supernatural events that it includes within the film.

  

Insidious: 

Insidious film (2011) as also been rated a 15. This has been rated by the BBFC, this is because it contains strong horror and menace. This has been given this because strong horror would not be suitable for under 15's so this has been given at least the earliest of a 15 to still keep a wide selection of audiences.

Saw:

The film saw has been rated an 18 aged film by the BBFC. This is because it contains strong bloody violence and language. Therefore, because of this it has been rated an 18 because bloody violence and language would not be allowed with the under ages.