BBFC Institution Research

What is the BBFC?

The BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body which classifies cinema films. It's a not for profit organisation, it's income is from the fees it charges for its services.

How are films rated? 

The age ratings for films and TV programmes are reached by a consensus and the examiners watch the films alone - solo viewing however, if it is a foreign film, which requires aid there would be a translator in the room. The examiners watch the films and make notes referring to key scenes, bad language, sexual content, drugs and general cinematography and context. Distributors can also request an age certificate to the examiner and they would take this into consideration but if the decisions by the examiners are not consensual then it would be past down to senior examiners.

The issues faced when categorising a film?

They need to consider whether the material is:

• in conflict with the law
• harmful to the viewer 
• unacceptable to appear to a wider audience
• acceptably portraying the dominant issue 
• problematic within its tone

Violence 

Sex

Sexual Violence

Drugs 

Horror 

Imitable Behaviour

Discrimination 

Language - 

• U - 'Infrequent use only of very mild bad language'
• PG - 'Mild bad language only'
• 12A/12 - 'Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language must be infrequent'
• 15 - 'There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable'
• 18 - No constraints on language 

Controversial decisions - 'The Dark Knight'

The main issues that arise in 'The Dark Knight' is violence and threat. The BBFC guidelines stated that 'violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries and blood.' Although there is no emphasis on blood itself, there are indications of violence which are strong. The rating was given due to the identification with Batman and the fact that the previous Batman was also rated a 12A. Although the antagonist, the villain, The Joker, uses a knife, the use of the weapon is not accentuated or glamorised to encourage the use of the violence. The BBFC received 364 complaints about the age rating. Parents and viewers thought that the tone of the film was too dark to show to younger audiences without making them feel uncomfortable or scared, which then raised the subject of tone being problematic in some films and should be a factor that is considered alongside the more prominent themes. 

Guidelines for a 15 Certificate

15 Certificate - 'There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable'

'Mad Max' classification

Mad Max (1979) was rated X and the film also required cuts, however in 1992 the film was classified within the BBFC's guidelines as an 18 rated film, without the cuts. Now in 2015, the film was screened for modern audiences and was classified a 15 due to the strong threat, violence and injury detail. The scenes that were cut initially fit into the 15 classification because of it's implied nature and lack of visual detail. This shows just how different generations change their ideologies towards particular films and scenes.