British Board of Film Classification
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The British Board of Film Classification ( BBFC , until 1984 British Board of Film Censors ) is a British organization that rates films , as well as computer and video games , and issues ratings .
tasks
The main focus of the organization is to check films (in all variations; for the cinema , on DVD , BD or earlier also VHS ) for their content and to issue age ratings. Computer games are also checked, but for a number of years the PEGI system has mainly been responsible for the approval of entertainment software.
The BBFC is an independent organization in London established by the UK film industry, the operating costs of which are covered by the fees charged by the BBFC for reviewing films.
Indeed, the legal responsibility for the release of theatrical films rests with the administrative units , but they usually accept the recommendations of the BBFC. Occasionally, however, a district rejects the BBFC's recommendation by either approving a film from a lower age or by absolutely refusing the approval.
For the release of films on video media, the BBFC is the so-called designated authority under the Video Recordings Act 1984. All films on DVD, BD etc. must be checked by the BBFC if they are to be distributed in the UK. If a film is not released, it must not be available in stores.
Approvals
The BBFC currently uses the following classifications:
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Universal | Suitable for everyone. Without age restriction. |
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Parental guidance | Allowed for every age group. However, parents are advised that some scenes are not suitable for children under 8 years of age. |
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12 Accompanied / Advisory | Suitable for ages 12. If accompanied by an adult, a child under the age of 12 can also watch the film. This approval is only available for cinema films. On DVD / BD, the film is usually released from the age of 12 (without A). |
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12 | Suitable for ages 12. Unlike the 12A rating, the person must be 12 years old to see the film. |
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15th | Approved from 15 years. |
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18th | Approved for ages 18+. |
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Restricted 18 | Approved for ages 18+ and may only be shown in licensed sex cinemas and sold in sex shops . Contains hardcore pornography . |
Older approvals:
| logo | release | definition |
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Universal Children | Suitable for everyone, but especially for pre-school children (abolished in early 2009) |
Video nasties
Officially, the so-called video nasties no longer exist, but there is still the possibility that the BBFC will reject the release of a film. The films are then mostly released in cut form. "Maniac" is a possible example. Most older video nasties are now legally available in the UK and uncut from the age of 18 (e.g. Tanz der Teufel or The Driller Killer ).
