Universal – Suitable for all
 Casablanca When a ‘U’ rated film has been made specifically for children it should not pose any problems for the average four year old. However, some children are more sensitive than others and parents may still find that very young children need some adult reassurance when watching a ‘U’ rated film. It is not a good idea to leave very young children on their own watching a film or DVD.
Some works for very young children used to carry a ‘Uc’ certification. Only videos or DVDs that were particularly suitable for pre-school children were rated ‘Uc’. Works which contain no material that will offend, harm or disturb very young children are now classified ‘U’ but receive standard Consumer Advice that reads ‘Particularly suitable for pre-school children’.
‘U’ rated films will have a positive moral framework and offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. Like Finding Nemo, they may provide a roller coaster ride with scary moments, but these will be brief and balanced by reassurance and, of course, everyone, with the exception of the ‘baddie’ will live happily ever after. Being scared while watching a film is part of the fun of childhood, as long as it all comes right in the end and there is a reassuring hand to hold.
Chicken Run Natural nudity is acceptable at ‘U’ and kissing and possibly references to ‘making love’ are allowed, but nothing stronger.
 Lilo & Stitch There will be no references to drugs in ‘U’ rated films, unless they are in the context of an educational work or an anti-drugs information film.
There will be no references to drugs or drug misuse in ‘U’ rated films, unless they are infrequent or innocuous or the context of an educational work or an anti-drugs information film. ‘U’ rated films, DVDs and games should contain no discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of.
It is impossible to predict how any child will react to a film, so parents should check the Extended Consumer Advice which will indicate if there are any potential problems for their child.
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Parental Guidance
Parents should not assume that the ‘PG’ category is just an extension of ‘U’. Like the ‘U’ category if may contain films which have a more adult appeal but do not contain any issues which would require a higher category.
A ‘PG’ rated film is considered suitable (but not necessarily entertaining) for most eight year olds and above. Any parent taking a child younger than eight to see a ‘PG’ film should bear in mind that they are likely to come across more challenging material than they will at ‘U’.
Films rated ‘PG’ may deal with themes such as domestic violence, child abuse, bereavement or racism, but as the films are aimed at a young audience they will also contain positive moral and educational messages. The tone and treatment of more difficult issues will be appropriate for younger children.
 Carry on Screaming At ‘PG’ anti-social behaviour, like bullying, or children smoking or drinking will not be condoned or made attractive to a young audience. . Discriminatory behaviour or language is unlikely to be acceptable unless it is clearly diapproved of or presented in an educational or historic context (such as episodes of TV series like Grange Hill that may present racist or other discriminatory behaviour in the context of a storyline about bullying).
Discrimination by heroes or characters that children identify with is unlikely to be acceptable. Any references to drugs will either be innocuous and therefore unlikely to be understood by a young audience, or they will be clearly in the context of an anti-drugs message.
Mild bad language will be acceptable at ‘PG’, but like at ‘U’ will not normally be stronger than ‘bloody’, ‘shit’ etc. There may be exceptions to this if the film is thought to have a particularly appropriate message for the age group but strong language will never be allowed at ‘PG’. If there is mild language in a ‘PG’ film it is likely to be flagged up in the Consumer Advice so parents with strong views can avoid the film.
Sexual activity may be implied in ‘PG’ rated films, particularly if the scene is unlikely to be understood by a young audience. Sexual innuendo as found in the Carry On films will be allowed at ‘PG’.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Scary films may test the nerve of some children, but learning to face their fears is part of growing up. Most children over the age of eight will enjoy being scared in the safe setting of a trip to the cinema, but children younger than eight might be happier waiting until films like Monster House  Monster House As with ‘U’ rated films, dangerous activities which might encourage children to copy and hurt themselves will not be acceptable. However, because these films are aimed at an older age range than ‘U’ rated films, if the activity is presented as far fetched it may be allowed – something else for parents to take into consideration before taking children younger than eight to ‘PG’ rated films.
It is impossible for the BBFC to know exactly how any young child will react to a film. By rating a film ‘PG’ we are sending out a clear message that there might be some things in the film which some children might find disturbing, particularly if they are younger than eight years old.
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'12A' – Cinema '12' Video/DVD
The ‘12A’ and ‘12’ categories are exactly the same in terms of content. The ‘12A’ certificate refers only to films seen in cinemas and it means that no child under the age of 12 can go in to see the film unless they are with an adult. The ‘12’ category applies to videos and DVDs and it is against the law for any child under the age of 12 to rent or buy a video or DVD on their own – an adult must obtain the film for them.
This category is not an extension of ‘PG’. When we classify a film ‘12A’ or a video or DVD ‘12’, we have in mind a young teenage audience. These films will be noticeably stronger than ‘PG’ and will deal with issues which are relevant to an audience over the mental age of an average 12 year old. The reason the ‘12A’ category allows children younger than 12 to see the film, if accompanied by an adult, is because children develop at different rates. Parents with younger children can consider whether any particular film might be appropriate, knowing their own child’s level of development. However, no ‘12A’ film is suitable for very young children.
Casino Royale The violence in a ‘12A’ film, while it will not dwell on detail, will be stronger than what is allowed at ‘PG’. Some people were surprised by how strong the violence was in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale. But that film, as are all ‘12A’ films, was classified with 12 to 14 year olds – and older – in mind, not eight year olds. The Consumer Advice for that film flagged up the 'strong action violence', a clear indicator that the film was not aimed at a very young audience. It is particularly important that parents take the Consumer Advice into account when considering taking children under 12 to ‘12A’ films.
The Mummy Because the audience for films in this category are older, the sort of sexual activity allowed is stronger. It will not be explicit, but will reflect what is likely to be familiar, and suitable for most adolescents.
Horror works can be passed at ‘12A’. These may be family films with supernatural horror elements like the later Harry Potter films or the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy or more grown up thrillers. The Cave and Twilight are examples of horror films passed ‘12’ or ‘12A’.
As with the younger categories the BBFC is keen to ensure that dangerous techniques which, if copied might harm young people, are not presented in a way which might suggest they are harm or pain free. Hanging, self harm or suicide techniques will come under very close scrutiny and could be cut. The first in The Mummy series contained a hanging sequence which went on for several minutes and which suggested that hanging was not dangerous and something easily recovered from. The BBFC required the scene to be cut.
Discriminatory language and/or behaviour should not be endorsed by ‘12A’ films if they are taken as a whole although there may be scenes or individual lines which contain them. This allows ‘12A’ films to address important issues realistically. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable at ‘12A’ unless it is clearly condemned.
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