The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), defines its self as an “independent, non-governmental body” (Introduction, 2007), but in reality is that statement true? Can the BBFC be 100% outside the government's control? The answer to this simple question is no, because the BBFC is influenced in part by the government. The BBFC's connection with the government begins in 1912 when the British Board of Film Censorship, later changed to classification, is created. The board is created after regulations pertaining to the Cinematography act of 1909 change and evolves to include mild forms of film censorship (Neville, 1967). Today, the BBFC continues to be influenced by the government because of laws and acts pertaining to cinemas and films passed in the last seventy years. In today's society the role of the BBFC is accepted by most individuals because the role the BBFC plays in the film industry is not entirely known or defined for the general public.
An individual who attends the cinema will not know if scenes from a film have been cut or altered in order for the film to be awarded a certain classification, unless the individual takes the time to check the BBFC's website. If an individual does check the website, the information provided will state that cuts or alterations were made but detailed information is missing. The lack of information is misleading when individuals see a film or eventually find out what information was cut or altered. The Disney film Rocketman, is a film that was unnecessarily altered by the BBFC. The film according to the website had 42 seconds cut from the original version. The cut clips are not defined but the cut portion was shown in class. The cut scene involved a little boy pretending the dryer was a spaceship. The BBFC representative stated the scene gave children the idea that the dryer was a toy and stated the scene would be harmful to those who watched it. Everyone in class and BBFC film reviewers watched the scene and none of these individuals were harmed or influenced by its contents. If a ten year old saw the scene it is unlikely they would have a different view than anyone who has already seen the cut portions.
In conjunction with the unnecessary censoring of Rocketman and other feature films it is believed that the BBFC's role in contemporary Britain in not a vital one when connected with the censoring of films. The censoring of film is not mandatory for the general public to lead safe un-harmful lives. The third party censoring done by the BBFC, should not take place in association with the censoring films. The individuals who should be in charge of film content are those involved in the film making process and the parents of children. A film maker, who is producing a film for children 8 to 10, should understand the content appropriate for this age group. The guideline set forth by the BBFC, should be used by the film maker but the BBFC should not have the right to then change the film's content. Parents of children should also know what a film is about before allowing there children to see it. If parents deem the content inappropriate then they do not need to let there child see the film, but in no way should that film then be censored to please the parent. These two groups should be the only parties involved in censoring of films.
The BBFC should not have the right to censor a film but the classification system outlined by the BBFC, should be used by parents and film makers in order to help make decision on a film's appropriateness for a certain age group. The classification system outlined by the BBFC looks at the themes, language, nudity, sex, violence, imitable techniques, horror and drugs portrayed in a film in connection with age groups. These aspects of a film are then used to classify films into different groups. The groups are U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18 and R18. When a film maker decides to make a film, the age group the film is aimed at needs to be determined. The film maker needs to know if they want to make a U or 18 film. Once the desired classification is determined the contents of the film need to be examined in order to follow the BBFC's current film classification system. As an example the BBFC states a, “'U' films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalance to any violence, threat or horror” (U, 2007). Films that currently carry a U rating are the Lion King and Mulan. In opposition, an R18 film is states as films “[that are to be] shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops” (The Categories, 2007). Films with an R18 rating are films closely related to the porn industry.
Between a U rating and an R18 rating is PG, 12A,12,15 and 18. A PG classification is for films appropriate for children eight and up. However, a PG film can be viewed by any child with parental accompaniment, but parent should understand the film's contents may upset younger children. The film Rocketman, is a film that has a PG classification, but cuts where required to receive the films current classification. After the PG certification is the 12A and 12 classifications. When a film has a 12A certification it means that the film can not be viewed by anyone under that age of 12 unless they are accompanied by an adult. A current film with a 12A certification is Man of the Year. The film was given a 12A certification because of the language used and the film's sexual references. The 12 classification is placed on videos and DVDs not suitable for anyone under 12. The Spiderman films have 12 ratings on video but had a 12A rating when it was released in theaters. The films received these ratings because of the films' moderate violence. Following the 12 ratings is the 15 rating, the 15 rating is for film not suitable for anyone under the age of 15. A film with a 15 rating is Ali G Indahouse: The Movie. Ali G was given a 15 rating because of the strong language, strong sexual references and the strong drug references. After the 15 rating is the 18 rating. If a film has an 18 classification then no one under 18 can see the film in the cinema, rent the film or buy the film. A movie with an 18 classification is 28 weeks later. The film received the 18 classification because of the strong bloody violence and gore seen in the film. The BBFC also has the ability to ban films completely, which should never happen. If a film maker intended the film to be graphic sexually or violently then the film should be allowed but with a specific certification of 18, R18 or the BBFC and film makers should agree on a new classification (BBFC, 2007).
The BBFC is the classifier of films in the UK, but the role that the BBFC plays in censoring films is wrong. The censoring of film should be the role of the film maker, while parents of children should then monitor what there children watch. The BBFC's regulations of classifications of films are good and should continue be used by film makers to produce appropriate films for certain age groups. The guidelines for each classification need to be elaborated fully to make sure film maker and the general public know what needs or will be in films when the film is released in cinemas. The classification system could be elaborated by giving film makers and the general public surveys pertaining to appropriate material for each age group. This elaboration will eliminate the censoring of film and will allow the art of film making to be free of censoring. Without the threat of censorship the film industry will flourish in new and exciting ways.
