U- Universal
The use of drugs, discriminatory behaviour, imitable behaviour and strong language is likely to not be included. Nudity and sexual behaviour has to be brief and only includes things like kissing. Threat and violence must also be kept to a minimum. Scary or unsettling scenes must not cause small children anxiety. U rated films are very unlikely to include horror films because the whole idea of a horror film is to frighten and entertain an older audience. Therefore there would be alot of violence and potential threat which doesn't come under the conventions of a U rated film. PG- Parental Guidance PG means there is general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children are allowed to watch but it is advised that the parents check what is in the content of the film. Discrimintation- There will be hardly any unless it is used as a lesson or for educational purposes. Drugs- Any reference to the misuse of drugs must carry a anti- drug marriage. Imitable Behaviour- No detail of dangerous behaviour must be deemed as correct and none that will inflence young children. Threat and Violence- Violence will usually be mild. Where threat is concerned, no situations where the characters are in danger should be intense. Most horror films would not be classed as a PG because they include too much violence and Imitable behaviour to scare and keep the audience on edge throughout the film. |
12A
Nobody under the age of 12 is allowed to see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. The sensitive material includes: Discrimination- Aggressive discriminatory behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned. Drugs- Misuse of drugs must not be frequent. Imitable Behaviour- There should be no promotion of dangerous behaviour that children will try to copy. Language- Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, Nudity- There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief. Sex- Sexual activity must be only briefly displayed. Moderate sex references are permitted. Threat- There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Violence- There could be moderate violence but not a lot of detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. |
15 Nobody younger than 15 may see a 15 rated film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video. Most horrors are now rated 15 because they don't include the material that is strong enough to be an 18 but are too strong to be classed as a 12A or 12. Discrimination- The work as a whole must not allow discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language. Drugs- Drug taking may be shown but the work must not promote or encourage drug misuse. Imitable Behaviour- Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail so that it is copied. Language- Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used. Nudity- There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context but there shouldn't be great detail. Sex- Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There can also be verbal reference to sexual activity but strong verbal reference may not always be allowed. Threat- There may be strong threat and horror but a strong focus on it may not be authorised. Violence- violence may be strong but must not dwell on the infliction of pain. Extremely strong gory images are unlikely to be included. |
18 The expectations for age 18 rating films include material that is most likely illegal and in breach of criminal law. Material or treatment included is also most likely to be used for harm to an individual or society. In horrors, this could mean dangerous weapons used for slaughtering in the film. Also the excessive use of illegal drugs and alcohol could damage the morals of certain individuals and public health but would be something that could be adventures and shown across screen in horrors. Less films in horror, more recently, are classified as the rating of an 18 because most films don't cross and adventure into the boundaries that make a film an 18. |