British Film Classifications

The British Board of Film Classification is an organisation funded by the film industry. Their role in the film industry is no longer to enforce censorship in films, but to provide advice and most importantly classify films. They have been responsible for this task since it was founded in 1913 - however back then it was the British Board of Film Censorship and enforced laws and regulations regarding what could and couldn't be shown on screen.

The lowest rating regarding audience age. Films within this classification contain nothing that is unsuitable for children, and anyone can view it. It is up to the parents to decide whether there may be specific things in the film that will upset their children. Films in this category are traditionally Disney films.

Stands for Parental Guidance. It may contain scenes unsuitable for children under 8. Typically the films in this market are kids action films where there may be scenes of violence between the protagonist and antagonists.

This is one of the newest ratings by the BBFC. It states that no child under the age of 12 may watch a film of this classification without an adult present at all times. It replaced the standard rating of 12 in cinemas in 2002 and typically contains more violence and bad language than the previous ratings.

Replaced by the above classification as the standard for cinemas, it states that no child under the age of 12 may rent or buy a film with this certificate on it. Same criteria as the above classification, except this is no longer used in cinemas and is purely for renting/ buying films.

Unsuitable for those younger than 15. Generally contains extreme violence and lots of bad language. It may also contain sexual content, although the level of this would decide between a 15 or an 18.

The strictest classification (before all out pornography in an R18) declares it is suitable only for adults. Typically including scenes of extreme violence, drug use and explicit sex films in this band are generally very 'hard-core'

Semiotics

Semiotics are the study of Signs and Signifiers as a form of communication.

These are all examples of what semiotics can do. With each of these ratings you have certain expectations. Seeing an 18 and it's about fluffy bunnies in a meadow will leave the audience confused and unsatisfied, as they have entered the cinema on the pretense that this film will including something to make it an 18.

Similarly parents would be outraged to find a Universal film that had explicit drug use throughout.

It is because these very easy to understand classifications that we can decide for ourselves if a film is suitable instead of the previous system of Censorship, which tells us what we can and can't see. These days the BBFC is here to advise, not restrict.