ABOUT THE BBFC
The BBFC, which stands for the British Board of Film Classification is a non government regulatory and classification body that classifies cinema films (decides which age groups are suitable to view the film). It was established in 1912 to apply for cinemas and since 1984 it has applied to DVDs and Video as well.
The BBFC featrues many local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films we reject, banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction.
Odessa Steps Sequence:
Today in class I watched the infamous Odessa Steps Sequence from the film Battleship Potemkin (1925) An early example of film regulation, this film was heavily regulated at the time because of its leanings towards Bolshevism and Far left propaganda, which was a severe issue at the time due to taking place not long after the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Dark Knight:
When The Dark Knight was released in cinemas in 2008 it garnered much controversy for its 12A rating, as many of the themes in the film were considered too dark for children to watch. The film received over 362 complaints from audiences to the BBFC because they believed it to be unsuitable for its 12A rating, as scenes in the film featured violence with knives, and a character's face being half burned off.
Following the release of the Woman In Black in 2012, the BBFC received 134 letters of complaint from cinema-goers, who felt the film was too dark and unsettling for 12A. As the BBFC routinely take the most challenging films to consultation (as happened with The Dark Knight), The Woman In Black was included in the public research that informed the development of the 2014 BBFC Guidelines. That research showed 89% of the public supported the 12A rating, with only 11% thinking it should have received a higher category.
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