The document describes the different age rating certificates used in the UK for films. A U certificate means anyone of any age can view the film, while a PG may contain mild language or violence disturbing for young children. A 12A means those under 12 need an adult, while a 12 is prohibited for under-12s. A 15 bars those under 15, and an 18 anyone under 18, with increasing restrictions on content like violence, language, sex and nudity. An R18 is for pornographic films restricted to licensed adult cinemas for over-18s only. The document rates their own film a 15 due to intense horror scenes, violence and language that may offend those under 15.
2. U Certificate
•
A U certificate stands for ‘universal’ and is the lowest
age certificate used in films.
•
This certificate means that anyone, any age can view
this film. A film with a U certificate should not contain
material that should disturb anyone of any age.
•
An example of a U rated film is ‘Toy Story’, which the
target audience is young children and families.
3. PG
•
PG stands for parental guidance. This means young children may need to have an
adult with them during the viewing of this film.
•
PG may also mean that the film may be disturbing to young children around 7 due
to mild language and violence.
•
An example of a PG is the film Frozen which like Toy Story is aimed at young
children and families, however it contains some soft violence which young children
may find disturbing.
4. 12 A and 12
•
A 12A means that anyone under 12 should be accompanied by an adult
when viewing the film in the cinema.
•
A 12 however means that anyone under the age of 12 can not buy or rent
this film with out an adult.
•
•
12’s usually contain some mild language and violence.
An example of a film with a 12 certificate is The Lord of the Rings trilogy,
which contains a lot of action which children under 12 may not be able to
view.
5. 15
• A 15 certificate means no one under the
age of 15 may view this film at the cinema,
buy this film or rent this film. A 15 may
include foul language, strong violence, some
brief sex and nudity and the use of hard
drugs. An example of a 15 is Scary Movie 5
which contains brief sex and nudity,
violence and mild language.
6. 18
• Anyone under the age of 18 may not view this
film at the cinema and buy or rent this film. A
film rated 18 will usually have unlimited violence,
drug use, foul language nudity, sex scenes and
nudity. Fully shown sex scenes may be permitted
if justified by the context, and sexual references.
An example of an 18 is the Saw trilogy which
contains strong horror, violence, language and a
dark narrative.
7. R18
• An R18 certificate tells the audience that
this film is pornographic and was intended
to sexually arouse the audience who have
gone to view the film. Like an 18, no one
under the age of 18 may view this film in
the cinema and buy or rent this film. The
film may also only be shown at licensed
adult cinemas.
8. • We rated our film a 15. This is due to it
containing intense horror scenes and an
intense horror narrative throughout the
film. For example someone is attacked and
then kidnapped.
• It also contains violence such as when the
kidnapper attacks the victim and contains
language that may offend viewers under 15
years of age.
