Version 1

URI: http://www.movielabs.com/md/ratings/GB/BBFC/1
Last verified: 2017-10-17

Organization:

  • Name: British Board of Film Classification
  • Type of Organization: other
  • Contact information not available
  • Web Site: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

Scope:

This rating system has been adopted in these regions for the specified usage:

Region Distribution media Viewing Environments
UNITED KINGDOM - Film - DVD - Game - - Home - Theater - Broadcast - Retail - App - other -

Notes:


Ratings:

XML formatted file



Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 4
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 1

Localized Definitions

Universal ( EN )

Suitable for all

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Drugs
Discrimination
Horror
Behaviour
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Theme

Explanation

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 8
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): N.A.

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 3

Localized Definitions

Parental Guidance ( EN )

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Drugs
Discrimination
Horror
Behaviour
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Theme

Explanation

A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 12
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 12

Attributes

HAC Usage: N
HAC Ordinal: 6

Localized Definitions

Accompanied under 12 ( EN )

Suitable for 12 years and over

Scope of Usage:

The applicability of this rating has been restricted as follows:

Region Distribution media Viewing Environments
UNITED KINGDOM - Film - - Theater -

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Drugs
Discrimination
Horror
Behaviour
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Theme

Explanation

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the ratings info for that film in advance.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 12
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): N.A.
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 12

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 6

Localized Definitions

12 and Older ( EN )

Suitable for 12 years and over

Scope of Usage:

The applicability of this rating has been restricted as follows:

Region Distribution media Viewing Environments
UNITED KINGDOM all - Home - Broadcast - Retail - App - other -

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Drugs
Discrimination
Horror
Behaviour
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Theme

Explanation

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the ratings info for that film in advance.No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 15
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): 15
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 15

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 9

Localized Definitions

15 and Older ( EN )

Suitable only for 15 years and over

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Drugs
Discrimination
Horror
Behaviour
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Theme

Explanation

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 18
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): 18
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 18

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 80

Localized Definitions

18 and Older ( EN )

Suitable only for adults

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Sex works at 18

Explanation

No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas: Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence Where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sadistic violence, rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour; or which invite viewer complicity in rape, other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or other harmful violent activities Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see right)In the case of video works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.


Age Restrictions

Min Recommend Age: 18
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): 18
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): 18

Attributes

HAC Usage: Y
HAC Ordinal: 90

Localized Definitions

RESTRICTED 18 and Older ( EN )

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only

Reasons and Content Descriptors

Explanation

The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable: Material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 (see Annexe – legal considerations) Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity which may include adults role-playing as non-adults The portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent The infliction of pain or acts which are likely to cause serious physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for non-abusive, consensual activity Penetration by any object likely to cause physical harm Sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game

Reasons and Content Descriptors:

U : Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of or be presented unrealistically. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Not provided

PG : Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or in an educational or historical context, or in a particularly dated work with no likely appeal to children. Discrimination by a character with whom children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.

Not provided

12A : Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Not provided

12 : Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Not provided

15 : The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Not provided

U : References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be infrequent and innocuous, or have a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.

Not provided

PG : References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Not provided

12A : Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give detailed instruction.

Not provided

12 : Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give detailed instruction.

Not provided

15 : Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through detailed instruction). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Not provided

U : Scary or potentially unsettling sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.

Not provided

PG : Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings and comedy may be mitigating factors.

Not provided

12A : There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.

Not provided

12 : There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.

Not provided

15 : Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Not provided

U : Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of or be presented unrealistically. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Not provided

PG : No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No focus on anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy

Not provided

12A : No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No endorsement of anti-social behaviour.

Not provided

12 : No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No endorsement of anti-social behaviour.

Not provided

15 : Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Not provided

U : Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Not provided

PG : Mild bad language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language may result in a work being passed at a higher category.

Not provided

12A : There may be moderate bad language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Not provided

12 : There may be moderate bad language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Not provided

15 : There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Not provided

U : Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Not provided

PG : Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Not provided

12A : There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

Not provided

12 : There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

Not provided

15 : There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context.

Not provided

Sex

U : Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).

Not provided

PG : Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

Not provided

12A : Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Not provided

12 : Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Not provided

15 : Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Repeated very strong references, particularly those using pornographic language, are unlikely to be acceptable. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal are unacceptable.

Not provided

U : While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

Not provided

PG : Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour.

Not provided

12A : Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Not provided

12 : Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Not provided

15 : No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Not provided

U : Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Not provided

PG : Violence will usually be mild. However, there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

Not provided

12A : There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.

Not provided

12 : There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.

Not provided

15 : Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

Not provided

18 : Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.

Not provided