U-PG:
- Discrimination of an unrelatable character or in an historical/educational context is fine if disapproved of.
- There can be an anti-drug message
- There can be frightening sequences if in a fantasy setting (still not prolonged)
- Still no imitable behaviour
- No specification of mild bad language
- No specification of occasional natural nudity
- Sexual innuendo allowed but discreet
- More mature themes/serious problems (eg. domestic violence) allowed but still in a mild way
- Violence can be stronger at a PG but can’t be in detail and justified by context
- Horror can be more frightening at a PG but cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly
PG-12A
- Discrimination can be more aggressive if condemned
- 12A now allows infrequent, non-glamorised misuse of drugs
- Horror allowed to be prolonged provided they are infrequent
- Same rules apply to imitable behaviour
- There can be moderate language at 12A eg. infrequent use of the 'f' word
- Nudity doesn't have to be natural anymore and sexual nudity must be brief and discreet
- Sexual activity can go further than implied but discreetly portrayed
- Mature themes must be acceptable for young teens
- Violence doesn't need to be justified by context although sexual violence is now allowed but may be implied and must have strong contextual justification
12A-15
- Discrimination doesn't have to be condemned at a 15 but not endorse it
- Drug use doesn't have to be infrequent and can be glamourised but the film as a whole should not endorse this
- Strong horror and threat allowed at a 15 but not sexualised or sadistic
- Strong language like the 'c' word allowed if justified by context and infrequent
- No longer constraints on nudity in a sexual or educational context
- Sex doesn't have to be brief or discreet any more
- Theme must be suitable for 15 year olds
- There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
15-18
- Viewers are adults so completely free to choose their own entertainment
- Illegal drug use is not allowed
- Sexualised violence is allowed in a 18 but cannot cause potential harm to anyone or society
- Clear images of real sex is still not permitted
18-R18
- Work must still NOT breach laws
- R18 films are primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults.
- Only allowed in specially licenced cinemas or sex shops
Suitable only for adults
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.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that 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 the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any 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 sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
- where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.
In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.
Sex education at ‘18’
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.
Sex works at ‘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’.
