Certificates on films in UK.

CERTIFICATES ON FILMS IN UKLaura Monument

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

In the UK the film age rating are decided by the ‘British Board of Film Classification and this system has been around since 1912. Before 1912 there were no restrictions on what age you had to be to watch the films.In 1912 there were only 2 certificates.

In 1932 another restriction was added.

In 1951 H was replaced with X.

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATESOn 1 July 1970 the A certificate was split into two: the A certificate now allowed those aged five and older to be admitted, but warned parents that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film, while the new AA allowed only those aged 14 or over to be admitted.

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

In 1982 the A certificate was replaced by PG, which was now completely advisory. The age of AA was raised a year and the certificate was renamed 15. 

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

In 1985 the age ratings were once again updated.

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

Due to the large gap between PG and 15 and industry pressure regarding Batman, a 12 certificate was introduced on 1 August 1989.

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

The 12 certificate was also introduced for videos on 1 July 1994

HISTORY OF CERTIFICATES

1994 till present day nothing else has been changed about age restrictions onFilms.

HOW DOES AGE RESTRICTIONS EFFECT SOCIETY?

Nowadays film producers have to be careful on the age restriction they give to the film, they have produced. If a film has a rating of 18, they are excluding the people younger, which means they would not gain as much profit if they were to put the film as a 15.

Films have to make sure that the age restriction they give to the film is appropriate and would not upset anyone if the age rating is too low.

If a film was labelled a U many people over the age of 12 wouldn’t want to see this film meaning a loss of money again.

CERTIFICATES VARY OVER DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

In India the film certificates are different to UK.

In singapore the film certificates are different to UK.

FILM THAT HAVE CAUSED PROBLEMS DUE TO THE AGE RESTRICTION.

Among the films that have been given a 15 certificate on DVD, instead of the 18 or X classification they received for their cinema release, are The Last Temptation of Christ, The Wicker Man and Don’t look now.

Batman was a film that caused an uproar about the age restriction it was given, this was because when people viewed the film a lot of complaints were made that the 12A restriction was to low and should have been put to a 15.