Film Classification

In Britain, films are classified in what audience they are suitable for by the BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification.). All films have a classification on level through regulators watching the film and deciding what age you should at least be to watch this film. These levels are U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 and R18. The BBFC has come under controversy of either not taking enough action on films that are "damaging" the minds of the britain and should be banned and other are saying just let anyone watch any films,  its down to the parents responsibility. Through these criticisms the BBFC changes it regulation standards across time to meet the social and cultural change going on in the world today. Established in 1912 the BBFC, monitors the films through certain categories including Sex, Violence, Drugs And Swearing. The BBFC has also has the power to have film cut if they are too bad, For example in my article about Tom Six;  his film Human Centipede II was originally cut by approximately 2 minutes through being so violent. The BBC also has the power to have films banned from being in UK cinemas by refusing the classification of a film.  Many films have not been classified.

• Reservoir Dogs was originally not given a classification. Although it did get into cinemas the film was not given a classification till a few years after. 
• Many films such as the The Good Son, Mikey and Hell Of Living Dead were all banned at first through the James Bulger case. 
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre was not shown in its uncut version till the year 1999 after it was released in 1973.
• Clockwork Orange was also banned at director Stanley Kubricks request. It was taken off the ban list after Stanley Kubricks death in 1999. 
• The Exorcist was allowed in theatrical release uncut, however, Warner Bros didn't want it classified and shown due to it content. Meaning it was unclassified by the BBFC and not classified again till 1999. 
• Today only one film is seen banned by the BBFC out of all the film brought to the UK, normally through being discriminating towards a certain group of people. Many old film originally bad are being re-released as the content might not look as realistic compared today and when originally released, not socially and morally accepted. 

Films are classified into 6 categories, U, PG, 12 and 12A, 15, 18 and R18. All films follow a certain guideline.

• "First, films and video should be allowed to reach a widest audience appropriate for their theme and treatment."

• "Second, adults should be free to choose what they see, provided it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful."

All films get a classification that will feature along all film advertising, DVDs and associates with the film, to make the target audience clear.