How has the BBFC changed throughout its history?

• The basis upon which the BBFC classify films has changed with social and moral views in society.

• The board has gone from a censorship body, who determine what we can and cant see, to a much

•  less strict regulatory body, working on the basis that all adults should be free to watch what they want.

• The categories of classifcation have changed as the board has developed

• The board hsa also had to adapt to certain legislation, eg The Video Recordings Act

• The board has had to broaden its thinking in order to classiffy things like DVDs and games, which may be much more easily accessible to children

BBFC: 2000s

New Guidelines

The board embarked on an extensive consultation process to gauge public opinion before making new guidelines. These found that depictions of drug use was the greatest cause for concern for parents, as was violence in lower classifications. However sex and nudity was less of an issue than previously.

Controversies

• The Idiots and Romance (both 1999) contained unsimulated sex that would normally be unsuitable for 18. However, because of the brevity of the images and the serious intentions of the film, the scenes were passed uncut.
• The torture scene in Casino Royale had to be cut to get a 12A classification

The 12A rating

In 2002, the new 12A category replaced the 12 category for film only, and allows children under 12 to see a 12A film, provided that they are accompanied throughout by an adult. The decision to introduce this new category was taken after a pilot scheme and research had been conducted to assess public reaction. The new category was also conditional on the provision and publication of Consumer Advice for 12A films.  The Board considers 12A films to be suitable for audiences over the age of 12, but acknowledges that parents know best whether their children younger than 12 can cope with a particular film.

BBFC: 1990s

Video legislation

Dispite the video legistlation in place since 1984 public concern about the new technology, particularly surrounding the James Bulger case (Child's Play III). Parliament supported the amendment to the Video Recordings Act, and contained it in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. This requires the board to make separate and more specific decisions when classifying video material, because children are more likely to be able to access the material at home.

Digital Media

The 1990s saw a rapid development in video game technology, becoming more realistic and sophisticated every year. From 1994 the BBFC started recieving some stronger video games for classification. Carmageddon became the first film to be refused classification in 1997 on the grounds that it encouraged anti social behaviour, although this was later overturned.

BBFC: 1980s

The 1980s was when we saw the Uc, PG, 12, 15, 18 and R18  ratings that we are more familiar with nowadays.

• Uc was introduced for video, indicating films suitable for all
• PG took the place of  'A'
• 15 took the place of 'AA'
• 18 took the place of 'X'
• R18 was introduced for sex works
• 12 was introduced to bridge the gap between PG and 15

The 80s saw the release of the Rambo series, with 1 and 2 passed uncut at 15, and 3 cut to obtain an 18 certificate. Batman became the first film to get a 12 certificate.

BBFC: 1970s

Changes to the category system

• The 'AA' category (for those over 14) was approved in 1970
• The 'A' rating allowed children under 5 to see the film wether accompanied or not, but the BBFC said that A rated films may contains material that parents may not want their children under 14 seeing
• The minimum age for 'X' rated films was raised from 16 to 18

The idea was to allow more content to be passed uncut for adult audiences while at the same time protecting children from this content.

Controversies

• A Clockwork Orange (1971) and Straw Dogs (1971) came under scrutiny due to controversial rape scenes
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was denied certification due to sadistic violent content

BBFC: 1960s

There was an apparent strong shift in the public social and moral views in the late 50s and 60s, such as various challenges to the Obscene Publications Act (1959). John Trevelyan, the Secretary of the Board responded by saying:

 "The British Board of Film Censors cannot assume responsibility for the guardianship of public morality. It cannot refuse for exhibition to adults films that show behaviour that contravenes the accepted moral code, and it does not demand that ‘the wicked’ should also be punished. It cannot legitimately refuse to pass films which criticise ‘the Establishment’ and films which express minority opinions".

The 60s saw the birth of the Carry On... series, famous for its risque humour, eg. comedic nudity and innuendos. Some of these films had to be trimmed to get an 'A' certificate. We also saw the beginning of the Bond series, beginning with Dr No in 1962. They were all passed at 'A' with mild cuts to scene involving sex/ nudity.

BBFC: 1950's

The 50's was when we first saw the 'youth' as a social group, who were quickly targeted specifically as consumers.

• The 'X' rating was introduced and incorporated the former 'H' category and excluded children under 16.
• Examples of X rated films are La Ronde (sex themes) and Smiles of a Summer Night (sex references)
• Films such as Rock Around the Clock (1956) drew teenage audiences and caused  controversy after there was rioting in some cinemas
• The Wild One (1954) was denied certification for 13 years because of its 'unbridled hooliganism', and Rebel Without a Cause (1955) had to be substantially cut to be shown at X due to its depictions of teen violence

BBFC: 1912 - 1949

The BBFC prides itself on the facts that the basis for its guidelines are a reflection of current views in society. Although there were no published guidelines in the early days of the BBFC, T.P O'Connor and the early examiners came up with 43 grounds for deletion in 1916 which they felt reflected what was correct and decent to be shown publicly in cinemas. These were:

1. Indecorous, ambiguous and irreverent titles and subtitles
2. Cruelty to animals
3. The irreverent treatment of sacred subjects
4. Drunken scenes carried to excess
5. Vulgar accessories in the staging
6. The modus operandi of criminals
7. Cruelty to young infants and excessive cruelty and torture to adults, especially women
8. Unnecessary exhibition of under-clothing
9. The exhibition of profuse bleeding
10. Nude figures
11. Offensive vulgarity, and impropriety in conduct and dress
12. Indecorous dancing
13. Excessively passionate love scenes
14. Bathing scenes passing the limits of propriety
15. References to controversial politics
16. Relations of capital and labour
17. Scenes tending to disparage public characters and institutions
18. Realistic horrors of warfare
19. Scenes and incidents calculated to afford information to the enemy
20. Incidents having a tendency to disparage our Allies
21. Scenes holding up the King’s uniform to contempt or ridicule
22. Subjects dealing with India, in which British Officers are seen in an odious light, and otherwise attempting to suggest the disloyalty of British Officers, Native States or bringing into disrepute British prestige in the Empire
23. The exploitation of tragic incidents of the war
24. Gruesome murders and strangulation scenes
25. Executions
26. The effects of vitriol throwing
27. The drug habit. e.g. opium, morphia, cocaine, etc
28. Subjects dealing with White Slave traffic
29. Subjects dealing with premeditated seduction of girls
30. 'First Night' scenes
31. Scenes suggestive of immorality
32. Indelicate sexual situations
33. Situations accentuating delicate marital relations
34. Men and women in bed together
35. Illicit relationships
36. Prostitution and procuration
37. Incidents indicating the actual perpetration of criminal assaults on women
38. Scenes depicting the effect of venereal disease, inherited or acquired
39. Incidents suggestive of incestuous relations
40. Themes and references relative to 'race suicide'
41. Confinements
42. Scenes laid in disorderly houses
43. Materialization of the conventional figure of Christ
1918-39

• Major concerns for the board at this time were horror and gangster films, as well as those that dealt with aspects of sexuality.
• Some councils started banning children from seeing films classified 'A' even after having been cut to get a certificate.
• The certificate 'H' (for horror) was agreed in 1932 to indicate films potentially too scary for children. This was in response to such films as 'Frankenstien' (1931)

1948 - Arthur Watkins

• Arthur Watkins was appointed secretary of the board in 1948, under the Presidency of Sir Sidney Harris.
• Both men had a background in politics

The two men came up with new terms of reference based on 3 principles

• was the story, incident or dialogue likely to impair the moral standards of the public by exentuating vice or crime or depreciating moral standards?
• Was it likely to give offense to reasonably minded audiences?
• What effect would it have on children?

BBFC Seminar

We also had a talk from a woman from the BBFC, all about film classification. We were shown some clips and were told some of the issues that came up while classifying those scenes. It was interesting to see how filmmakers are very aware of the classification process and are able to push up to the limit of what can be shown at different certifications and show content which is allowed by the guidelines but may still seem very strong, for example the murder scene in Killer Inside Me or the robbery scene in The Dark Knight.

PCC Seminar

We went down to The PCC offices in Holborn to attend a talk on the PCC. It was an enjoyable morning and very interesting to hear from a commissioner what their job is and the issues they need to think about when making desisions on cases.

I found it especially interesting to find out that the PCC will actively contact people who may be in the public eye and could have grounds for a complaint, but may not realise it or may have not even heard of the PCC. I also thought it was particularly interesting to hear about the decision processes that the commissioners go through to ensure that they remain objective to come ot a fair decision.

Complaints

• The PCC accepts complaints from anyone who believes that an article involving them breaches the Code of Practice in some way. The vast majority of people are members of the public, who may not be able to risk the money of to go to the courts, even if they feel they have a strong case.

• The code provides special protection to particularly vulnerable groups of people such as children, hospital patients and those at risk of discrimination

• The majority of complaints are about local publications

History

• The PCC was set up in 1991, replacing the Press Council, after a small number of publications failed to observe the basic ethics of journalism in the 1980s, causing many MPs to doubt the Press Council's effectiveness. Some believed that a body should be set up that was under government control.

• The government appointed a Departmental Committee to consider the matter. Its task was 'to consider what measures are needed to give further protection to individual privacy from the activities of the press and improve recourse against the press for the individual citizen. The report did not recommend statutory control.

• A committee of editors was set up, who produced a code of practice for the PCC to administer. The Press Standards Board of Finance was set up to organise funding.

How is the PCC funded?

• Through a body called the Press Standards Board of Finance, which is responsible for collecting money from newspapers and magazines in the UK. The press have agreed that each publication should pay an amount proportional to its circulation figures.

• The public do not have to pay for the service either directly or indirectly through taxes

What Does the PCC Do?

• The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body which deals with complaints about the content of newspapers and magazines in the UK. It has drawn up a 16 clause Code of Practice, which complaints and decisions must be based upon.

• The Commission investigates when it believes that the code has been breached, either in a published article or in the ways in which a journalist obtained their information. Where there is a problem, the PCC will act as a mediator to try to resolve the dispute.

• Where this fails, they will make an adjudication, based on the code. If the complaint is upheld, the newspaper must publish the full adjudication on a prominent page where it is likely to be read.

How does the system work?

The PCC is not a governmental body nor is the Code of Practice Legal Statute. Instead it is based on an agreement by the industry to be regulated by an independent body. The code is drawn up by a team of editors, but 10 of the 17 commissioners have no connection to the industry at all.

PCC Code of Practice

Here are the 16 clauses:

Accuracy
Opportunity to reply
*Privacy
*Harassment
Intrusion into grief or shock
*Children
*Children in sex cases
*Hospitals
*Reporting of Crime
*Clandestine devices and subterfuge
Victims of sexual assault
Discrimination
Financial journalism
Confidential sources
Witness payments in criminal trials
*Payment to criminals

The Public Interest

Clauses marked by an asterix may have exceptions where it can be demonstrated that there is strong overriding evidence for public interest in the story.

What does the code cover?

The 16 sections cover 4 main areas:

• Accuracy
• Privacy
• News gathering
• Protecting the vulnerable

It is the editors responsibility to make sure that the newspaper complies with the code. However, sometimes the editor may defend an article or journalist, arguing that it was in the 'public interest'. The code defines when this may be acceptable.

The code doe snot cover issues of taste and decency. This is because the PCC recognises the importance of a free and fair media who may publish what they like in a democratic society, and that people choose to look at a newspaper based on their own tastes.

UK's Current System

Pros & Cons


Pros

• The ratings provide clear, convenient guidelines that everybody can understand and follow.
• Parents do not want to have to research every film before deciding what is appropriate for their children
• There is a certain amount of fluidy - local authorities can overrule ratings if they or local residents disagree with it
• The guidelines are updated every 5 years in order to stay relevant
• Detailed information about the rating of every film is available on the BBFC website

Cons

• Ratings are only very loosely enforced in both cinemas and DVD stores
• Although the information is available online, many people are not aware of it and therefore do not know what each film contains. This is a particular problem for parents and the 12A rating.
• All children are scared by different things, raising questions about whether age is the best way to classify films
• Many children are exposed to the images/language etc outside of film, eg at school or on TV

Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim to protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?


I think that it is very important to have an effective method of regulating films so that young children are not exposed to adult themes and images at a young age, and I believe that the BBFC does this in the best way possible. I think that is i necessary, due to the nature of society, where everyone is scared and offended by different things, to use a very broad system that may seem slightyl over-protective of some children in order to make sure that the content is appropriate for everyone.


Is there anything you think could be done to improve the current system?


I believe that the system itself does not need much improving, as long as it continues to update itself to reflect current values. However, I think that the details of each film and each classification need to be better advertised to parents so that they can make more informed choices about what their children view if they want to

The Differences

U-PG

• Themes can be slightly more mature, but must still presented them mildly
• Sex can be presented briefly and discreetly, but nudity must still not have a sexual context
• Drug misuse is more acceptable but must carry a strong anti-drug message

Mild discriminatory language or behavior is acceptable if it has educational or historical value
Violence can be slightly stronger
Horror can be more frightening but must not be prolonged and must still have a reassuring outcome


PG-12A

•  Discriminatory language and behaviour is more acceptable but must still not be endorsed as a whole
• Drugs are also more acceptable, but again, must not be encouraged as a whole
• More moderate threat and horror is allowed, but must not be prolonged or sustained
• Imitable behaviour can be shown but should not dwell on detail
• Moderate language is allowed, as well as infrequent and non-agressive strong language
• nudity in a sexual context is allowed but must be brief and discreet
• There may be more violence and more violent themes but it must not dwell on detail

12A-15

• Strong language can be much more frequent
• Horror can be strong and prolonged
• Drug use can be shown, as long as it is not instructional and the film does not promote drugs as a whole
• Stronger nudity is acceptable in a sexual context, but must not go into explicit detail. Strong sexual references are allowed

15-18

• Anything may be shown at 18, provided it does not break any of the rules set out in the above post.

18-R18

• 'Real sex' can be shown at R18, but not at 18

R18

R18 - To be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years

The following content is not acceptable:

• Any material which breaches criminal law
• Material which is likely to encourage an interst in sexually abusive activity
• The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent
• The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or simulated
• Penetration by any object associtaed with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role playing game. Strong phyiscal or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable

18

18 - suitable for adults

One of the general principles of the BBFC is that adults should be free to watch what they want. Therefore, almost everything is allowed an 18 rating, provided:

• It does not breach criminal law
• It does not fail The Harm Test
• There are not explicit images of sexual activty without sufficient context. In this case, the film would get an R18 rating

15

15 - Suitable only for 15 years and older

Discrimination

• The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory behaviour

Drugs

• Drud taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not encourage drug use. The misuse of easily accessible substances eg aerosols is unlikely to be acceptable

Horror

• Must not be sadistic or sexualised

Imitable behaviour

• Should not dwell on detail and easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised

Language

• Strong language is allowed, but the strongest language must be justified by context

Nudity

• Nudity in a sexual context must not have strong detail

Sex

• May be portrayed without strong detail. Strong references are allowed, but the strongest language must be justified by context. Whose whose primary purpose is for sexual gratification are unlikely to be allowed

Theme

• Treatment must be appropriate for 15 year olds

Violence

• May be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images, and sadistic or sexualised violence are unlikely to be allowed. Portrayal of sexual violence must have strong contextual justification

12A

Suitable for 12 years and older

Discrimination

• Aggressive laguage or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable, unless clearly condoned. The work as a whole must not endorse discrimination of any kind

Drugs

• Must be infrequent and not glamorised. Must not give instructional detail

Horror

• Moderate threat are permitted, providedsequences are not frequent or suistained

Imitable behaviour

• Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied or could be potentially harmful. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamourised

Language

• Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language must be infrequent

Nudity

• Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet

Sex

• May be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Must not go beyond what is acceptable for young teenagers

Theme

• Mature themes must be suitable for young teenagers

Violence

• Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, unless infrequent and justified by context. Sexual violence can be implied but must have a strong contextual justification

PG

Parental Guidance- Some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Discrimination

• Unlikely to be acceptable unless in an educational or historical context

Drugs

• Any references must carry a suitable anti-drug message

Horror

• Scary sequences must not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor

Imitable Behaviour

• No detailof potentially dangerous behaviour that young children may copy. No glamorisation of easily accessible weapons

Language

• Mild language only

Nudity

• Natural nudity only, with no sexual context

Sex

• Can be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild references and innuendo only.

Theme

• Nothing can condone unacceptable behaviour

Violence

• Moderate violence without detail, if justified by context

U

Universal - Suitable for all

• All U films should be set within a positive framework and show a clear counterbalance to any threat, violence or horror

Discrimination

• No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of

Drugs

• None, unless it serves an educational purpose or a clear anti-drug message is presented

Horror

• Should be mild and brief, and should have a reassuring outcome

Imitable Behaviour

• No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children may copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons

Language

• Bad language should be infrequent and very mild

Nudity

• Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context

Sex

• Mild sexual behavior and references only

Theme

• Must be appropriate for young children

Violence

• Mild violence only

BLK comments

Excellent notes for wk 1 hwk hugh, love your blog and use of evidence too. great reflections. miss b :-)

Violence

Violence has a strong history in film, and the Board will take this into account when classifying films. However portrayal of violence as a normal solution to problems, heroes who inflict pain and injury, callousness towards victims, encouragement of aggressive attitudes and content which depicts characters taking pleasure in pain and humiliation will all recieve a higher rating. Works which glamorise, endorse or glamorise sexual violence are likely to have scenes cut at any rating.

Sex

Sexual activity in films range from kissing, to verbal references, to detailed portrayals of real sex. As the strength of the portrayal rises, the classification will rise accordingly. Sex works are almost always rated 18 or R18, depending on detail or severity of the material.

Nudity

'Natural nudity' with no sexual context is acceptable at all classifications, but will be very infrequent at U and PG. Sexual content will recieve a higher classification and strong detailed content will recieve even higher ratings.

Language

It is impossible to set out a set list of words and frequencies of words which is acceptable for each classification. The context which the word is said, and how it is said is much more important than the word itself. Current public opinion is also taken into account, and to a large extent this issue is classified by common sense, depending on all of the above.

Imitable Behaviour

Detailed or instructional portrayal of criminal or violent techniques, and works which glamorise or are uncritical of criminal activity or antisocial behaviour (eg bullying) will recieve a higher rating. Dangerous behavior which could be easily copied by children, eg self-harm etc, will be cut if the classification is too low.

Horror

Many audiences enjoy horror and scary sequences as an established part of film. The BBFC take into account the frequency, length, detail and context of these sequences when classifying films aimed at children. Films aimed at adults have very little restriction on the amount of horror they contain, as the audiences often pay to be scared by the film, and the film will get an appropriate classification.

Drugs

A film as a whole cannot promote drug misuse and any single detailed portrayal of drug use which may promote or glamorise drugs may be cut. Films which show the dangers of drug use may recieve lower classifications than ones which present it in a neutral manner.

Discrimination

Potentially offensive content is very common in a wide range of films, and must be taken into account when classifying films. The film must not break any laws, eg it must no incite or condone hate crimes, but is acceptable, and will get a lower classification, if discriminatory behaviour is critised, and if the context justifies it.

Lessons 1 & 2 Reflections

Very interesting start to learning about film classification, here are some interesting things I learned.

• I already knew that the BBFC was responsible for giving films their certificates, but I was interested by the fact that the ratings are not set in stone, and can be overruled by local authorities, who can make the film a lower or higher rating in that area. They can also ban films altogether, but this usually has no effect as people can just jump on a bus to another cinema outside of that area

• That the BBFC are an independent non-governmental body, set up by the film industry as a means of self-regulation without political influence. The government still remains relatively powerless in film regulation, but, as with any independent organisation, the government cann influence them by appointments, legislation etc.

• The role that parents play and how their views affect the guidelines by which films are classified, particularly with regards to 12A films, where it is up to the parents if the film is suitable for their children. An example is The Dark Night, which many parents took their children to see, unaware of the content, and afterwards complained.

BBFC: Overriding Factors

• They have a set of guidelines which they must follow when certifying films, but they must regulate with a degree of leniency in order to allow the film to reach as wide an audience as possible.

• They are able to take many other factors into account if they feel that the guidelines point towards a rating that is too high. These are:
• The work itself, eg. the storyline or general themes
• The audience - who the film is targeted at and who will go and see it
• Any moral, educational or artistic merit it may contain
• Its potential to offend
• Possible harm
• Context
• Precedent

These factors are especially important where a film may lie close to the borderline between two ratings

BBFC: Legal Considerations

• The Human Rights Act, 1998

• The Licensing Act, 2003

• The Obscene Publications Act, 1959 & 1964

• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act, 2008

• The Protection of Children Act 1978

• The Sexual Offenses Act 2003

• The Public Order Act 1986

• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006

• The Tobacco Advertising and Promoting Act 2002

BBFC: General Principles

There are two underlying principles under which the BBFC excercises itself when certifying films. These are:

• that works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment

• that adults should, as far as possible, be free to choose what they see, provided that it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful

When applying these principles, they must also consider;

• If the material is in conflict with the law
• If the material may cause harm to any individual or wider society as a direct result of viewing that material and others like it
• If public opinion dictates it is acceptable for people of certain age groups to view the material

Who are the BBFC?

• The British Board of Film Classification

• They were set up in 1912, they are responsible for regulating all films released in the UK and some games where it is deemed necessary

• They act on behalf of the local government under The Licensing Act of 2003, who can overturn the guidelines set out by the BBFC, ie they can re-certify films or ban them altogether

• They are funded by fees they charged fees that films must pay in order to get a certificate

• They are a non governmental, independent organisation, so the government has no direct control over film regulation.
• However they are accountable to OFCOM, which is a government organisation, and the bosses at the BBFC are appointed by the government.