Alfie Millar

Age Regulations
Films need to be regulated and restricted for certain ages. This is because
some films are too dark, twisted or sick for a child to watch. Whilst its not
illegal for a 12 year old to watch an 18 rated movie, purchasing the movie
is illegal if not 18. The British Board of Film Classification was created in
1912 to ensure that movies that were too adult like for children werent
sold to children, because certain movies can mess up an undeveloped
mind. In Britain we have 6 different age ratings for films. Firstly theres U,
this stands for universal, meaning all age groups can watch. Then PG,
which means parental guidance, children are able to watch it as long as
they are guided by a parent. Then theres 12A, which is only used in
cinemas, 12 and over. Then 12, which is only for movies that dont make
the cinema and go straight to DVD; this is also for 12 years and older.
Then 15 and 18, which both understandably require you to be said age if
you want to purchase the movie or buy tickets for the cinema.
U stands for Universal- This means
a person of age can watch them
because of its limitations to
controversial things like, murder,
swearing, drug use etc. Most
childrens films are rated U. It will
also include happy storyline
because it is mainly for children.
This means a person of any age is
able to watch these movies. A good
example of a movie that is rated U
is Toy Story, its child friendly and
everyone is able to watch it. It is a U
because it fits under all the criteria
of a U movie. U rated movies
basically it has no tolerance towards
violence, swearing, controversial
topics. Because it may mess with
peoples minds especially
childrens. Most bad language is
unaccepted in most cases in U,
although the word crap is allowed,
as long as it isnt directed towards
anybody and its used in context.
Also because these are movies
mainly for children, it must teach
the difference between right and

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wrong to set the children up for life.

Violence is unaccepted in these
movies, play fighting is okay but
anything beyond this is not allowed
PG stands for Parental Guidance- a
film required to have a parent with
the child; it could have some
disturbances for kids but generally
children 8 or over will not be
unsettled by the movie. The movie
will have mild swearing, such as
piss and shit, as long as its not
directed at people. But if used out
of context or abused the movie will
have to be a higher age rating. If
there is any reference to drugs in
the movie, it must also include
some form of anti-drug message.
Nudity is unaccepted; references
and innuendos that are mild may be
included. A good example of a PG
movie is The Gremlins; its a classic
family friendly. It can be quite scary
to younger children but the mild
language, violence and happy
ending cause it to be a PG.
12 and 12A- This is for ages 12 and
up, the only difference is that 12A is
for the films at the cinema, whilst
12 is for the movies that dont make
the cinema. The A in 12A stands for
adult, as it refers to an adult
needing to be the accompanying
the child at the cinema.
Discriminatory language or
behaviour should be only mild and
not endorsed. Drugs are okay to be
in these age rated movies, just as
long as it isnt glamorised or
instructional in any way. Weapons
or violent behaviour is tolerated just
as long as children arent able to
copy, so it shouldnt look

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glamorous. Bad language such as

piss and shit may be used as
long as its used in context and not
abused. Nudity is not permitted at
all but sexual references may be
included, they must be discreet and
not overused. Scenes with
threatening or violent content are
permitted just as long as its for
good reason and not abused. A
good example of a 12/12A is Star
Wars: The Force Awakens. Its a 12
because it fits into all the demands
this category pushes for. These
films are 12 and not PGs because
they might have bad language,
violence, and unsettling topics more
so than a PG does. Violence in these
movies is accepted but it shouldnt
glorify or dwell on details like blood
or gore. Sexual violence may be
indicated but not shown, it must be
shown that this is bad and must
only be used in context.
15- Nobody below the age of 15 will
be able to watch a film rated this
age at the cinema, or buy/rent a
DVD. Discriminatory language and
behaviour is accepted, although it
cannot be endorsed. Drug taking
may be shown in these age rated
movies; it must not promote or
endorse the taking of drugs. Also
showing easily accessible drugs like
solvents must not be shown.
Imitable behaviour such as suicide,
or self-harming etc. may be shown
but not going to enough detail in
which it could be copied. Strong
language may be used; words such
as f**k and c**t may be
included, as long as the uses of
such words are put into context.

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Nudity and sex are permitted in

these movies as long as it is put
into context, such as a scene where
people are having sex. Violence is
permitted in these movies, as long
as it doesnt dwell on graphic
scenes. Sadistic or sexual violence
is unlikely to be permitted because
it is very disturbing, unless it is
discreet and not graphic in any way.
A good example of a film rated 15 is
Suicide Squad, because it fits in all
the criteria, whilst violence is in the
movie it is mostly used in context.
Any explicit words are also used in
the movie but only in context.
Whilst the topic of the movie may
be unsettling its not disturbing, as
an 18 may be. z
18- Nobody under the age of 18 is
able to watch this age rated movies
at the cinema, or buy/rent a copy of
the movie. All of the above may be
included in the 18 age rated
movies. They just have to be careful
when it comes to full discriminating
threats or violence. It must be
shown that it isnt a good thing.
Sexual scenes have to also be
restricted because you simply cant
show sex on movies. Sexual scenes
are okay as long as its discreet the
viewer has a good understanding of
what is going on without actually
seeing it. Violence is accepted as
seen in movies like Saw just as
long as real footage of people
getting brutally murdered arent
shown, because showing actual
murder would be way too graphic
and disturbing for anyone to see.
Saw is a perfect example of an 18
because of its content, it pushes the

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boundaries way too much, it uses

any inappropriate language it
wants, gore, probably sexual
scenes.

Overall, I am aiming for an opening sequence with the age rating of 15. I
believe that it should be this rating because it is a thriller, whilst the
scenes in it wont be too graphic; it does deal with a lot of mental health
issues and things which children may find disturbing. It will also have
strong language, but it will only be used in context. Scenes which involve
murder will show enough to give an understanding to the viewer, but it
wont be extremely graphic.