2. ABOUT THE BBFC
The BBFC aims to protect certain age groups against content
which may not be seen as suitable. The BBFC allows the
public, especially parents, to make viewing choices for their
children allowing them to have a better understanding of what it is
the film will contain.
On the website I found what the ratings are based around;
‘discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable
behaviour, language, nudity, sex and sexual violence.’
3. U
U’s are seen to be appropriate for all age groups as they don’t offend or harm young
viewers. U’s tend to have:
1. No discriminatory language.
2. No references to illegal drugs.
3. Scary scenes should not be long or effect younger viewers .
4. No dangerous behaviour which be copied.
5. Very mild bad language, should still not be frequent.
6. Occasional nudity, with no sexual references.
7. Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to
‘making love’).
8. Mild violence only.
4. PG
PG stands for parental guidance showing how it may be inappropriate for young children but
may be suitable if parents believe it to be.
PG’s tend to have:
1. Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly
disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.
2. References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message.
3. Frightening sequences should not be long during PG’s.
4. Potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy should not be
included.
5. Mild bad language only.
6. Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
7. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
8. Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed.
5. 12A & 12
12A’s and 12’s are much more harming to viewers showing the large change in age group between
PG’s to 12A’s and 12’s. They may consist of:
1. Discriminatory language or behaviour.
2. Use of drugs must be infrequent and should show negative effects of use.
3. Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, as long as they are not strongly detailed.
4. Dangerous behaviour (e.g. suicide) should not important as they may be copied, or appear pain or harm
free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
5. Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.
6. Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
7. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
8. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.
9. Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or
blood, but are allowed if justified by the plot.
10. Sexual violence is allowed only if it is implied or is brief.
6. 15
15’s so much more content than 12’s or 12A’s as the audience can cope with more explicit scenes.
1. The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
2. Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
3. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable.
4. Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which
could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
5. There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms may be
acceptable if justified by the context.
6. Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.
7. Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
8. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images
are unlikely to be acceptable.
9. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be
discreet and have a strong contextual justification .
7. 18
18’s show the most explicit content as those who are able to watch it are mature enough to
cope.
1. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may
rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
2. 18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:
3. Very strong violence
4. Frequent strong language (eg 'fuck') and/or very strong language (eg ‘cunt’)
5. Strong portrayals of sexual activity
6. Scenes of sexual violence
7. Strong horror, blood and gore
8. Discriminatory language and behaviour
9. I chose not to include the R18 rating as it has no link to research into the thriller. It was
not important to research so there was no need.
8. OUR THRILLER RATING
Overall I believe our thriller rating should range from a 12 – 15.
This is because our thriller may have an excessive use of
violence, may contain drugs and may include dangerous
behaviour, such as hanging or suicide. I do not believe that it may
be higher than a 15 as there will not be a use of offensive
language. This may change over time depending on the violence
used showing how a general decision cannot be chosen and is still
broad.
