Learning on ScreenBBFC: Learning from the Past
Telegrams from icons of Hollywood and British film can also be found, including one from Gregory Peck regarding the film Cape Fear. In the telegram Peck describes an interview he gave in order to explain and defend the cuts made to Cape Fear by the BBFC, even going so far to say the cuts improved the film. Further artefacts include pamphlets on the problems of art and the role of censorship, press cuttings, and correspondence from film directors challenging the BBFC’s position on their works, or sometimes praising it. Files on controversial films such as Straw Dogs, Apocalypse Now and the ‘video nasties’ from the 1980s are also popular with visiting academics and journalists.
The certificates themselves changed over time. In 1932 the H (for Horrific) certificate was introduced to warn of horror themes that might be inappropriate for children. Twenty years later came age-restricted classification with the creating of the X certificate, preventing children under 16 from seeing X rated films in the cinema. In 1970 the age restriction for X-rated films was raised to 18. Other now deceased certificates include the AA, which prohibited the under 14s.
Most of the certificates we know today date from 1982 when PG, 15 and 18 were created. In 1989 the 12 rating was introduced. Thirteen years later this was modified to 12A. The 12A recommends that a film is suitable for children aged 12 and over but also lets parents choose whether to take children under 12. To help parents make that choice, the BBFC provides detailed content advice alongside the age rating on our website and free app The first film classified 12A was The Bourne Identity, though many students who remember this change associate it with Spider-Man which was originally classified 12 for cinema release before being re-classified 12A when the new certificate was introduced.
But how has sifting through our history helped us and those we talk to? Digging deeper uncovers links between film classification and wider public policy in the UK.
The BBFCs origins actually lie in Health and Safety. The Cinematograph Act 1909 introduced the licensing of cinemas, giving control to Local Authorities to grant licenses for cinema exhibition. This was originally for safety from fire in cinemas. Early film was very combustible and techniques for projection, especially the use of limelight, caused numerous fires in the early 1900s.
