The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the ratings board that all films have to go through if they're to be sold in England. The board rates films based on elements of its context. These elements include the amount of violence, blood and gore, sexual themes, drugs and alcohol use and language. These are classed in to age ranges:The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the ratings board that all films have to go through if they're to be sold in England. The board rates films based on elements of its context. These elements include the amount of violence, blood and gore, sexual themes, drugs and alcohol use and language. These are classed in to age ranges:
This rating means Universal and is suitable for everyone. This rating will only include very infrequent uses of very mild bad language (i.e. "Damn", or "Hell"). It is very unlikely any horror films would come under this rating, as its the family rating and is the rating used on films suitable for those under 4.
This rating stands for Parental Guidance and means that the film is left to the discretion of the parents whether its shown to children or not. PG won't show themes that are inappropriate for children, but may take on issues such as bullying, racism and loss. It may also contain one or two instances of mild bad language (i.e. "shit") or some slapstick violence. There maybe be a drug reference or possibly the use of drugs if there's a very anti-drug message. This classification means that the work is only suitable for ages 12 and up. 12 and up films can contain a few instances of strong bad language depending on the manner in which it is used. It can have frequent use of moderate language (i.e. "twat" or "bitch"). 12 and up may contain some brief sex references or some minor drug taking. There will be more realistic violence but not much in the way of gore and blood. There shouldn't be use of weapons that are easily accessible to anyone under 12 (i.e. knives). Some minor horror and fear is allowed at this rating, meaning that this is where horror films are beginning to be classified. Horror films that are rated 12 include: The Woman in Black and Insidious This rating means that the film is not suitable for anyone under 15. It may contain frequent use of strong language, and one or two uses of very strong language (i.e. "c***"). It may contain strong sexual references, drug taking and violence. This violence can be bloody but is unlikey to be very strong scenes of prolonged gore. It is common for horror films to be given this rating, however there cannot be strong sadistic violence or sexual threats. It is this rating that our film will aim to be. Horror films in this category are things like The Blair Witch Project or Shaun of the Dead. Films with this rating cannot be sold to, watched by or bought for anyone under the age of 18. The film is exclusively for adults. As such the film may contain frequent use of very strong language, very strong bloody or gory violence, strong portrayals of sexual themes, nudity, strong horror or fear, discriminatory language and hard drug use (i.e. Heroin or Methamphetamine). Horror films in this category often dwell on sadistic violence, sustained threat and very strong gory images. Horror films in this rating include: Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist and the Saw series |