Various Certificates

In Film
By Ellie-Rose Powell
Film Certificates
Age Ratings You Trust
U - Suitable for all
PG - Parental guidance
12A - Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
12 - Video release suitable for 12 years and over
15 - Suitable only for 15 years and over
18 - Suitable only for adults
R18 - Adult works for licensed premises only

History of Film Certificates
1912 1932
U Universal
A Adults
1932 1951
U Universal
A Adults
H Horror
1951 1970
U Universal
A Adults
X 16 and over
1970 1982
U Universal
A Advisory
AA 14 and over
X 18 and over

History of Film Certificates
1982 1985
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18
1985 1989
Uc Universal children
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18

History of Film Certificates
1989 1994
Uc Universal children
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
12 12 and over (cinema only)
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18
1994 2002
Uc Universal children
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
12 12 and over (videos also)
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18

History of Film Certificate
2002 2009
Uc Universal children
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
12A 12 accompanied
12 12 and over
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18
2009 Present
U Universal
PG Parental Guidance
12A 12 accompanied
12 12 and over
15 15 and over
18 18 and over
R18 Restricted 18

How certification can Impact
an Audience
This has a big impact on the audience as if a 17 year old wanted
to watch a movie that has the certificate on 18 this means thats
that person will feel left out that they cant watch a movie this is
also the same for a 12 film. The 17 year old will feel like they
wont enjoy the film as it is a young category and they may be
classed as a childish film and they will feel like they are too old to
watch it.
How Does Certification Vary
Over Countries
Australia
G General
PG Parental Guidance
M Mature Audience
MA15+ - 15 years and over
R18 Restricted 18
CTC not certified
E Exempt
Brazil
L free for everyone
10 10 years and over
12 12 and over
14 14 and over
16 16 and over
18 18 and over
Case Study on Brick
Newcomer Rian Johnson's first feature Brick is a modern film, set in
a small-town American high school. The plot revolves around a
mysterious character; Brendan Frye and his attempts to discover the
events that led to the death of Emily, his ex-girlfriend.
Brick was submitted for classification in February 2006 and was
released on May 12. The defining classification issues were violence
and drug references.
The violence is mostly hand-to-hand, convincing punches are landed
on the main character's face repeatedly as he deals with a gang of
bullying thugs. Although the scenes of violence are shot so that
contact is rarely seen, enhanced by the realistic sound effects. The
viewer really feels that he is being beaten up and the character is left
staggering around with a cut and bruised face, in agony from the
seemingly endless pummelling.