BBFC British Board of Film Classification Role Purpose

BBFC British Board of Film Classification

Role, Purpose and Legal Power • The BBFC is an independent regulator that uses information collected from surveys and focus groups to find out what people think is appropriate for people of certain ages to watch. • They believe in making sure that their guidance is current and in touch with the public of today in order to make the best decisions they can. • Their influence on media products is that some filmmakers will make certain cuts or changes to the content of their films in order to fit the guidelines set out by the BBFC. • They classify films by giving them age ratings though local councils can still overturn their decisions. • Since 1980, the Video Recordings Act as meant that the BBFC also classify what is ‘suitability for viewing in the home’. • They also help UK video on demand services with age ratings – despite them not being obligated to do so. • The Digital Economy Act means that since 2017, the BBFC have been helping the age-verification for online pornography. • The BBFC has no legal power – councils have the power to change or overturn rating certificates.

Case Study • Monty Python’s Life of Brian • The controversy surrounding the film at the time were of alleged blasphemy in the film - due to it being a comedy about a man (called Brian Cohen) mistaken for being the Messiah. Also, some local authorities were concerned about the use of strong language and nudity in the film. 101 local authorities viewed the film themselves and subsequently, 28 raised the classification of the film to an X certificate (only 18 and over could view the film) and 11 banned the film altogether. Some of the councils that banned the film had not even seen the film, whist others did not even have a cinema within their community.

Controversies • The Dark Knight • In 2008, The Dark Knight was given to 12 A, many deemed this to be too violent for children to view. In a typical year, the BBFC gets around 450 complaints in total. In 2008, 42% of all complaints were about The Dark Knight. • A Clockwork Orange • Submitted to the BBFC and released in 1971 at an X rating with no cuts. Stephen Murphy defended the film by stating that "the film could not be accused of exploitation" and "is a valuable contribution to the whole debate about violence". The public thought that criminal and anti-social actions by the main character 'Alex' would be copied by young people. Some papers reported new attacks were inspired by the film but this was never factually established. 1972 - only one theatre in London was showing it. In 1973, Kubrick withdrew the film from the UK due to him and his family receiving threats. It was released after Kubrick's death and his family permitted this.