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BBFC Classification

CATEGORY

DEFINITION

GUIDELINES

Uc	Like U, below, but particularly suitable for children of pre-school age.	Problematic themes treated appropriately for young children. Very mild bad language may be used infrequently. Mild sexual behaviour, such as kissing or references to “making love”, and occasional natural nudity with no sexual context may be used. Mild violence and infrequent mild threats or menaces only; no dangerous behaviour that children could copy. Realistic or accessible weapons should not be emphasized. Mild, brief horror effects allowed. Outcomes should be reassuring. References to illegal drugs or drug misuse only with clear educational purpose or anti-drug message.
U	'Universal': suitable for children 4 years old and over.	As above.
PG	'Parental Guidance': general viewing, suitable for children of any age to watch unaccompanied by an adult. Particularly suitable for those aged 8 and over; parents should decide whether suitable for younger children.	Mild bad language only. Treatment of serious issues, such as domestic violence or racist abuse, must not condone the behaviour. Natural nudity (no sexual context) and implied sexual activity (infrequent) allowed. Mild sexual references and innuendo allowed. Non-specific moderate violence (historic, comedy, or fantasy) allowed. Realistic or accessible weapons should not be glamorized. No dangerous behaviour that children could copy. Prolonged or intense frightening sequences not allowed. Illegal drugs or drug misuse must be represented innocuously or have an anti-drugs message.
12A	Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult to see a 12A film at the cinema.	Treatment of mature themes must be suitable for young teenagers. Infrequent use of strong language permitted; racist abuse is of particular concern. Sexual activity may be implied, nudity in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sex references should reflect what is familiar to adolescents and nothing more. Violence must not dwell on detail, and no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may be implied or indicated briefly and discreetly. Dangerous techniques, such as combat techniques and suicide, should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain- or harm-free. No glamorization of accessible weapons; moderate threat and menace permitted. Occasional gory moments only. Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and not glamorized or instructional.
12	Only those aged 12 or over may rent or buy a 12-rated DVD or video.	As above.
15	Only those aged 15 and over may rent or buy a 15-rated DVD or video, or watch a 15-rated film at the cinema.	All themes allowed, provided treatment appropriate to 15-year-olds. Frequent use of strong language permitted, but the strongest terms used only where contextually justified. Nudity in a sexual context and sexual activity allowed, but without strong detail. Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour permitted. Strong violence allowed but the infliction of pain or injury must not be dwelled on. Sexual violence must be discreet and brief. Dangerous techniques must not dwell on imitable detail. No glamorization of accessible weapons. Strong threat and menace permitted. Very strong gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
18	Only those aged 18 and over may rent or buy an 18-rated DVD or video, or watch an 18-rated film at the cinema.	The BBFC’s guidelines for “18” films do not override the wish that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions exist, where material appears to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, any detailed portrayal of illegal drug use that promotes the activity. The BBFC may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence that, for example, eroticize or endorse sexual assault. More explicit images of sexual activity, unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a sex work*, are also restricted. Guidelines are stricter for videos and DVDs/games, which are more accessible to younger viewers.
R18	For those aged 18 and over, and only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or sold in licensed sex shops. Not to be supplied by mail order.	Legally restricted classification category for explicit works of consenting sex between adults. Certain content is not acceptable: material in breach of criminal law; material encouraging sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, rape); physical restraints that prevent participants from indicating withdrawal of consent; infliction of pain or physical harm, whether real or simulated; penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause harm; sexual threats, humiliation, or abuse.
*Sex works are works with the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material that may be simulated are generally rated “18”, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are rated “R18”.

Source: British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

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British Board of Film Classification

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