2. When was the BBFC established? - and
for what reason?
• The British board of Film Classification is a
non-governmental organisation funded by the
film industry. They were formed in 1912 and
are responsible for the national classification
and censorship of films in the UK.
• It began operation on January 1st 1913 under
the legal basis of the Cinematograph Act 1909
which required cinema’s to have licenses from
local authorities.
3. What media forms do they regulate?
• The BBFC rates theatrically released films, home
videos, DVD’s as well as video games. This is
supported by the Video Recording Act 2010.
• Video games with specific content must be
submitted to the BBFC to receive a legally binding
rating.
• All films and video games rated by the BBFC are
given a certificate which is directed by president
of the BBFC Quentin Thomas and Director David
Cooke.
4. How are they funded?
• The BBFC are funded by the fees they charge
to those who submit video games, films etc to
be classified.
5. What legislation do they have to abide
by?
• The BBFC have to abide by several different acts of the 20 th century.
• These are: Video & recordings act 1984, Video & Recordings act 2010, Human
Rights act 1998, Obscene Publications act 1959 and 1064, Protection of Children
act 1978, Criminal Justice and Immigration act 2008, The public order act 1986 and
the Coroners and justice act 2009.
• Video & Recording Act 1984. This act means that any type of “video works” this
being films, TV programmes, video games etc have to be classified by the BBFC.
Under this act the BBFC must consider the effect any of the above will have on not
only children but onto other vulnerable groups.
• They also must abide by the human rights act 1998 which establishes the right of
freedom of expression. The BBFC has to consider the impact of its decisions on the
rights of any other person.
6. What is the process of classification
• The BBFC Classifications guidelines reflect all
the legislations they must abide by and are
product of public consultation with children
and adults.
• These classifications guidelines regard any
changes in public taste, attitudes and
concerns; changes in the law.
7. What is Consumer Advice?
• Consumer advice is the BBFC’s way of getting the public to make informed
choices about the films. It is a description of the content which
determines the classification of a film, DVD or video games. This could be
regarding sex, violence, language, drugs which can influence the strength
of the material.
• Consumer advice indicates the strength of individual issues by using
different terms such as ‘mild’, ‘moderate’, ‘strong’, ‘very strong’.
• E.g. language classified at ‘U’ and ‘PG’ rating is likely to be considered
‘mild’ while language classfied at ’15’ and ‘18’ to be ‘strong’ or ‘very
strong’
8. Create a timeline: give a historical
perspective on legislation – what has
been acceptable in which era’s give
examples.
9. TIMELINE:
Because of changes to the
Cinematograph Act the ‘X’
certificate is introduced. This
means that no child under the
age of 16 is allowed to see a film
with that classification. The ‘X’
certificate was the first
mandatory-age restricting
certificate.
‘H’ certificate was The age limit on the ‘X’ certificate is The 12 certificate
introduced. This is an raised from 16 to 18. advisory for cinemas is now
advisory certificate certificates ‘U’ and ‘A’ are introduced replaced with the
which informs the along with ‘AA’ certificate which advisory ‘12A’
public that the film has allows admission for 14 years and
a horror theme and is over.
not suitable for
children.
10. ‘H’ certificate was introduced. This is an
advisory cerftificate which informs the
public that the film has a horror theme and
is not suitable for children.
Because of changes to the Cinematograph
Act the ‘X’ certificate is introduced. This
means that no child under the age of 16 is
allowed to see a film with that classification.
The ‘X’ certificate was the first mandatory-
age restricting certificate.
The age limit on the ‘X’ certificate is
raised from 16 to 18. advisotory
certificates ‘U’ and ‘A’ are introduced
along with ‘AA’ certificate which allows
admission for 14 years and over.
The 12 certificate for cinemas is now replaced
with the advisitory ‘12A’
11. Watch: Clockwork Orange &
Fight Club
• Compare the regulation of clockwork orange with
fight club
• Do you think they should have been regulated?
Why?
• How is violence portrayed in both films?
• What does it tell you about society then and
society now?
• Use quotes from critics, censors, filmmakers,
writers of original novels.
• Anthony burgess
12. A Clockwork Orange Fight Club
Compare the •When the film was submitted to the BBFC in 1971 it was
regulation of classified at rating ‘X’ (with no cuts). By this time the ‘X’
classification had been raised from 16 to 18.
clockwork orange
• after the films release In 1971 it was linked to a series
with fight club of horrific crimes, ones which mimiced the violence from
the film. Following death threats and warnings from the
police Kurbrick asked Warner Bros to pull the UK release
of the film. However, when the film was released on DVD
in the UK this sparked another frenxzy of copycat crimes.
•After Kubrick’s death the film was re-released and still
given the 18 classification (un-cut)
Do you think they I so agree that yes it should have been regulated.
should have been However, I feel to give it an 18 certificate I disagree with.
I think that the violence in the film is quite minimal and
regulated? Why?
only happens in the first hour or so of the film.
How is violence The film looks at a lot of violence in different ways such
portrayed in both as rape, gang violence, and crimes such a burglary . At
the time in which the film was made this would have
films?
been seen as something very horrific whereas now this
would not be seen in the same light.
What does it tell From the way the film was regulated, I
you about society
then and society
can see that
now?
13. Clockwork Orange: more info
• ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was based on the novel by Anthony Burgess’s 1962 novella. The
author had mixed feelings about the adaptation of his book saying he loved actors Malcolm
McDowell and Micheal Bates and the use of music, which he praised as brilliant.
• Burgess has a good relationship with Kubrick until however Kubrick left him to defend the
film himself at accusations that it was glorifying violence.
• Top critic A.D. Murphy on Rotten Tomatoes reviewed the film by saying “Stanley Kubrick's
latest film takes the heavy realities of the 'do-your-thing' and 'law-and-order' syndromes,
runs them through a cinematic centrifuge, and spews forth the commingled comic horrors of
a regulated society.” The film was given an average of 8.3/10
• Alan Travis of the guardian wrote this article in 1999 discussing the reassessment of the film
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/1999/sep/11/alantravis
