The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) are basically a large group of people who are in no way linked to the government, which provide legal classification for every single film sold in the UK.  The decisions that are made are usually respected by others, however can be overridden.

Every film that goes through the BBFC is assessed by at least two examiners, usually the examiners are able to come to stern agreement about the film, but if there is disagreement or concern occurs then a decision may be made by the senior directors. The main focuses are language, nudity, sexual scenes, discrimination, drugs, horror and violence. However, if it shows nudity for an educational purpose, then the film will be given a lower classification. If a movie was to be released on DVD, then there is a chance it will have a higher classification as it is more easily accessible to people of the wrong age.

There are seven different classification certificates that are given out, these are listed below:

Universal (U) - All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.

Parental Guidance (PG) - All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children. May contain mild language and sex/drugs references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy).

12A – Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, moderate swear words, infrequent strong language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

12 - Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. The content guidelines are identical to those used for the 12A certificate.

15 - Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, frequent strong language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context.

18 - Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticised or excessively graphic.

Restricted 18 (R18) - Can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shops, and only to adults, those aged 18 or over. Films under this category are always hard-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing. There remains a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating: strong images of injury in BDSM or spanking works, urolagnia, scenes suggesting incest even if staged, references to under age sex or childhood sexual development and aggressive behaviour such as hair-pulling or spitting on a performer are not permitted. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.

After looking into the films I have analysed and seen what certificate they are, I feel if we planned on sending our thriller to the BBFC, it would get a 15 certificate. I believe this because it is hinted throughout the film that someone has died an unpleasant death. We feel it shouldn't be an 18 because there is no strong language used or any sort of sexual references.