British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

In 1912 the British Board of Film Classification was founded and thereafter it classified cinema films, DVDs, Blu-rays etc. The Video Recording Act was introduced to the UK in 1984 in which Parliament passed requiring all video footage including video games, television programmes, films etc, which are stored on an electronic device and distributed to audiences, to be classified into one of the six classification sections:

This is the Universal sign meaning films are suitable for any age group as young as toddlers. It does not ensure that children will not be affected by the footage as each child is different; however, there is nothing which is unsuitable including no bad language, no violence, nothing of a sexualised nature etc. UC is when the content is particularly suitable for children.

Parental Guidance slightly differs to Universal as some scenes may mildly touch upon elements within products with a higher rating. Nevertheless, with a parent/guardian present, the film should not upset young audiences and is perfectly okay for youngsters to view.

The number 12 represents the age you should be, or above, to view things of this rating. Younger audiences may be affected by the aspects within and therefore are advised against watching/playing things with this rating. 12A slightly differs as the A represents adults being present meaning children under the age of 12 can view/play, but only with an adults presence and consent.

The age gap of three years brings us to a 15 rated product which makes a lot of difference within content. Adult themes such as sexual references, v are present and therefore are not suitable for slightly younger audiences due to their lack of knowledge as to whether what it happening is right, accepted and content may even confuse and disturb them. It is illegal for anybody under the age of 15 to buy/view video products with this rating as the rating has been devised knowing that audiences of this age group are informed about content such as drugs and violence without it frightening them - they also are trusted to not perform in activities such as ones shown as they are mature enough not to let it influence their decisions.

An 18 classification means that nobody under the age of 18 can legally purchase or view the content of whichever medium the classification is on. Sexual references, extreme violence, drug abuse etc occur quite vividly and frequently making the content unacceptable for younger audiences whom are not adults. Although at 18 you are only a young adult, you are legally allowed to drive, drink, smoke etc and therefore you are given the choice to do whatever you wish: this certificate allows entertainment for adult audiences and the irresponsible acts within the product seldom contribute to how adults act whereas it would with younger audiences. Gore and realism within this age group are more believable as boundaries can be pushed due to the mature mindset of the audience.

R18 is very uncommon and very rarely used, yet it symbolises the explicit material within the medium, prominently films. Shops must be licensed to sell products with this rating, such as sex shops, due to the strong fetish material involving adults and their sexual endeavours.

Products are usually viewed by multiple examiners who decide which certificate the product should be given in regards to the content. Multiple examiners of all different ranks have to verify the rating so that it is reliable and not just biased by one examiners opinions. If the other examiners disagree with the first certificate opinion, then the majority wins the classification.

The Book of Leviticus would be required to have a certificate of 15 due to the murder and violence present. As Charlotte, the first victim, is an implied harlot, the sexualisation would require a rating higher than U, PG and 12, yet as no sexual endeavours are viewed, the rating is not required to be an 18. The violence and death would continue as the narrative progresses but since the murders are not brutal and gory, the film does not necessarily have to be an 18 certificate, but it cannot be any lower than a 15 due to younger demographics being unable to understand the physiological aspects of the Thriller - confusion would occur when trying to understand events and piece the story together.