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Film Classifications

About Classifications

Filmnight.com display the classifications given to the DVDs by the British Board of Film Classifications. The BBFC is required by law to classify almost all videos sold in the UK to ensure that viewers watch only appropriate material.

The exceptions to the rule are films which are educational or are chiefly concerned with sport, religion or music. You’ll often see an unofficial ‘E’ symbol on their sleeves although the law does not require exempt titles to be marked as such.

You’ll see classifications marked on the sleeve and label.

It’s important to note that videos classified PG, U and Uc can be legally supplied to people of all ages – including children. The 12, 15 and 18 classifications restrict supply to people of the specified age and above. It is a serious criminal offence to supply a video with an age-restricted classification to someone below the specified age.

Video classifications allow you to make an informed choice for your video viewing. Videos classified 12, 15 and 18 are unsuitable for children or young teenagers below the specified ages. You may disagree with a classification but, if you do, then the responsibility is yours.

What Do The Classifications Really Mean?

U

This stands for Universal and means that the film or programme can be seen by people of all ages. There will be nothing unsuitable for children and the whole family might well enjoy it.
Uc

This means that the film or programme has a Universal (Childrens) and is suitable for everyone but especially suitable for very young children. It has probably been made just for them.

This category is only available for videos and is not given to cinema releases
PG

This stands for Parental Guidance which means that parents might wish to check up on the film or programme before showing it to their younger children. If it's an action film it might have some violence. It it's romantic it might have some sexy scenes or very brief nudity. It might also have some of the milder swearwords.

12

This means that the film or programme is unsuitable for anyone younger than 12. There may be stronger moments of violence or references to teenage experiences but nothing gratuitous. There may also be swearwords that you wouldn't hear in a PG film.

This certificate is now only given to Videos and is not given to cinema releases which have the new 12A certification

12A

No-one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

This new certificate replaced the 12 certificate in cinemas and allows parents to allow children to view these films when properly supervised. It is only given to theatrical releases, these films will generally be given a 12 certificate upon release as a Video
15

This means that the film or programme is unsuitable for anyone younger than 15. There may be a fairly adult theme or scenes of sex, violence or drugs which, while not being particularly graphic, are unsuitable for younger teenagers. There may also be some sexual swearwords.
18

This means that the film or programme is unsuitable for anyone younger than 18. There will certainly be an adult theme and there may also be strong scenes of sex or violence, which could be quite graphic. There may also be very explicit language which will frequently mean sexual swearwords.

R18

This special classification is for sexually explicit material and is restricted to being shown or sold in specially licenesed premises and is unsuitable for anyone younger than 18

Filmnight.com does not sell R18 videos

More Help

When you pick up a film you often want more information to enable you to make that final viewing decision.

PG

General viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Theme/Other

Children's comedy

Language

Infrequent, mild

Sex/Nudity

None

Although the sleeves and certificates give some indication of what the film is likely to contain, it is always helpful to have more specific information about each particular title. For example, a 15 could have some sex, violence or bad language. But does it? And if so, how much? As a result of a film industry voluntary initiative, you will have seen additional advice panels like the one above and these will be printed on even more film sleeves so you can come to your own decision about the levels of sex, violence and bad language in a title before you take it home. Short explanatory trailers have also been appearing on many releases as a final reminder of the classification before the programme begins.