Film Classification...

Most thriller films will either have the classification of a ‘15’ or an ‘18’ – so what makes a film have the classification that it does?

The classification of a 15 means that no one under that age can go to the cinema to watch a 15 rated film. It also means that people under that age aren’t able to buy a 15 rated DVD.

The main factor of this certificate is the idea that none of the audience copy anything that is seen in the film, according to the BBFC.
In a 15 certificate, there can be aspects of drug use, bad language, sex, violence, imitable behaviour, horror and discrimination, but the important factor is how much is too much.
• There can be discrimination as a whole, but derogatory words can’t be used.
• There can be scenes of drug use, but it can’t be seen to be promoting drugs and the use of easily accessible drugs (like solvents) shouldn’t be seen.
• Scenes of horror are appropriate, but not if it’s sadistic or sexualised.
• ‘Imitable behaviour’ is something that can be imitated (copied), so things such a hanging or self-harming, are inappropriate.
• There is the use of very strong language is used, if it’s fits with the context of the film, but it’s unlikely that the repeated or aggressive use of really bad language would be heard.
• There might be strong violence, injury or pain seen, but if it’s sadistic or the really strong scenes or gore, then it’s not likely to be seen. If there is sexual violence then it needs to be justified by the context of the film.
• Sex can be seen in a 15 certificate but it shouldn’t be in really strong detail. This is the same with nudity.

An 18 is the highest film rating that there is. You can’t buy or rent a DVD or watch a film at the cinema unless you are 18 years of age.

The reason a film is usually restricted to an 18 certificate, is because it has sexual references, strong violence, gore, bad language, drug use, discrimination, or uncomfortable themes.
Although, things such as these can be seen in a 15 certificate, it’s not in as much detail, or without the intention to have a direct effect on the audience.
In an 18 certificate, pretty much anything can be shown. As at 18 you are considered an adult, so there is no limit on what can be shown, because it is assumed that you should know right from wrong, and not copy, or be affected by, any of the themes seen in a 18 certificate.

This is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate.