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The UK's film ratings are decided by the British Board of Film Classification and have been since 1913 (previously there were no ratings). For cinema releases, the BBFC has no legal power (technically, the film studios do not even have to submit their films for classification), as it falls to the local councils to decide who should be admitted to a certain film. However, the councils nearly always abide by the BBFC's certificates, effectively making them legally-binding. They have also followed the BBFC's recent advice and added legal backing to the new 12A certificate, meaning that children under 12 can be admitted as long as they are accompanied by an adult. In the case of videos, the BBFC have had legal powers since 1985 (previously there were no video ratings) and are obliged to rate every new video release (the ratings themselves determining the age a person needs to be to buy or rent a video).
The following list chronicles the BBFC's ratings system from its inception to the present. Note that what is allowed in a film has greatly changed over time. A film rated A in 1913 would probably be rated U now.
In each section, emphasis indicates when a certificate has changed since the previous system.
1913–1932
U (Universal)
- Suitable for children
A (Adult)
- Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult
1932–1951
U (Universal)
- Suitable for children
A (Adult)
- Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult
H (Horror)
- Some councils ruled that only those aged 16 or over could be admitted
1951–1970
U (Universal)
- Suitable for children
A (Adult)
- Some councils ruled that children must be accompanied by an adult
X
- Suitable for those aged 16 and over (enforced by all councils)
1970–1982
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all
A
- Those aged 5 and over admitted, but parents advised that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film
AA
- Suitable for those aged 14 and over
X
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over
1982–1985
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all
PG (Parental Guidance)
- All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
15
- Suitable for those aged 15 and over
18
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over
R18 (Restricted 18)
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas
1985–1989
Uc (Universal Children)
- Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all (now also covers videos)
PG (Parental Guidance)
- All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children (now also covers videos)
15
- Suitable for those aged 15 and over (now also covers videos)
18
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over (now also covers videos)
R18 (Restricted 18)
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops (now also covers videos)
1989–1994
Uc (Universal Children)
- Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all
PG (Parental Guidance)
- All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
12
- Suitable for those aged 12 and over (cinema only)
15
- Suitable for those aged 15 and over
18
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over
R18 (Restricted 18)
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops
1994–2002
Uc (Universal Children)
- Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all
PG (Parental Guidance)
- All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
12
- Suitable for those aged 12 and over (now also covers videos)
15
- Suitable for those aged 15 and over
18
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over
R18 (Restricted 18)
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops
2002–
Uc (Universal Children)
- Suitable for all, but especially suitable for young children to watch on their own (video only)
U (Universal)
- Suitable for all
PG (Parental Guidance)
- All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for small children
12A (12 Accompanied)
- Suitable for those aged 12 and over, but under 12s may be admitted if they are accompanied by an adult (cinema only)
12
- Suitable for those aged 12 and over (video only)
15
- Suitable for those aged 15 and over
18
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over
R18 (Restricted 18)
- Suitable for those aged 18 and over and only available at licensed cinemas and shops
See also
External links
- History of the BBFC (http://www.bbfc.org.uk/Education/history_of_the_bbfc/history_of_the_bbfc.html)
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