BBFC decisions you agree/disagree with...

[nekromantik]

speaking of M3GAN I do hope they release the unrated cut on bluray
will be 15 as well like 99% of unrated flicks

[UpsetSmiley]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Just watched the film, it has some intense and upsetting moments but I think I would give it a 12 personally. The suicide attempts feel similar to Groundhog Day in that they’re unsuccessful and used to comedic effect. While it does present a variety of suicide methods (hanging, a gun, being hit by the train, carbon monoxide poisoning), it doesn’t show that much to really be imitable. Also the whole point of the film is to be life affirming and finding reasons to carry on even when you’ve lost the things you care about. However, I did find the trailer downplayed the suicide angle to focus on the grumpy old man aspect.

Was A Man Called Ove rated in a similar way?

One thing I find interesting is how M3GAN was apparently toned down with reshoots to make it less gory and meet the requirements of a PG-13, but ended up being a 15 in the UK.

The PG-13 version of Deadpool 2 was a 15 in the UK too. Quite a few PG-13 films are pushing R rated and sound as such in their description.

The Woman King was rated PG-13 for “sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity.” which if it had an R rating in front of it would work just the same.

A Man Called Ove, like the remake was rated 15 for "suicide theme". The Irish Board of Film Classification (IFCO) aren't as strict with depictions of suicide as the BBFC, that one House episode got an 18 for a "suicide technique" which I believe was rated a 15 in Ireland, could be considered harsh bearing in mind most episodes of the series are rated 12.

[koopabeach]

Originally Posted by eddyw78

Wasn’t there a suicide scene in this too? I can remember seeing this at the cinema back in the day and thinking how rough it was for a 12 though obviously nowhere near as graphic as say Braveheart. Great movie. Love the soundtrack.

Yeah, it is a good film. For me, the occasional, moderately graphic violence is more 15 level than 12. The BBFC oscillated between 12 and 15 but never made cuts.

Heart Removal (The Last of the Mohicans, 1992) - YouTube

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by koopabeach

Yeah, it is a good film. For me, the occasional, moderately graphic violence is more 15 level than 12. The BBFC oscillated between 12 and 15 but never made cuts.

Heart Removal (The Last of the Mohicans, 1992) - YouTube

I’d say that scene is higher-end 12 but no worse than Temple of Doom—it’s got brief visible bloody detail unlike Temple of Doom where the procedure is fantastical, but also I’d say it’s got less of a sense of horror to it than ToD. I haven’t seen the whole film, though it does sound like the violence is more common than “occasional gory moments” and likely mostly got by due to the historical context and it being an early 12 where the BBFC weren’t quite sure of guidelines yet. Akira, The Vanishing and Andrei Rublev were all early 90s 12s that are now deservedly rated 15 (Rublev is borderline 12 but still has some strong moments such as a torture scene where the victim is covered in blood and brief sight of the bloody aftermath of an eye-gouging).

[doomgen]

a recent annoyance I've had with BBFC ratings is the fact that they'll use terminology that implies there will be a visual portrayal of something (for instance, "domestic abuse") for something that merely includes references or themes related to it. perhaps the most ridiculous however is the advisory for the new Sinead O'Connor documentary Nothing Compares, which is "domestic abuse, child sex abuse, strong language".

especially in a documentary context, those two warnings would sound very unpleasant to the average viewer and make them prepare for something difficult to contend with, as they indicate that these two things will be shown on screen. however the long insight expresses that these are only verbal references, which just makes me wonder why they couldn't just write "strong language, references to domestic abuse & child sex abuse". that describes the content accurately without being offputting to potential ticket-buyers who might think they're about to see real footage of either of the two. prior to the guideline revision on abuse-related content, even a documentary specifically about child abuse such as Capturing the Friedmans or Leaving Neverland would say "theme of child sexual abuse" or "graphic references to child sexual abuse", rather than this simplified version which doesn't give prospective viewers any idea as to the severity of what they'll be seeing.

[koopabeach]

Dumb & Dumber (1994) Deleted, Extended & Alternative Scenes #1 - YouTube

I doubt they'd get away with this scene at 12 today. Maybe I'm wrong?

[Killer Meteor]

I think its been this way since the VHS era, but I really don't think THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI suits a U rating.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by koopabeach

Dumb & Dumber (1994) Deleted, Extended & Alternative Scenes #1 - YouTube

I doubt they'd get away with this scene at 12 today. Maybe I'm wrong?

Yeah, that was ludicrously inappropriate for a '12'. The extended cut of the film should've been a '15'. Not sure what the bbfc were playing at there. The extensions also ruin the film as the characters become less naive and less likable.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

I think its been this way since the VHS era, but I really don't think THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI suits a U rating.

It's rather scary and nightmarish for a 'U'! Surely a 'PG' made more sense?!

[Bes30]

Having recently watched the two Joseph Kuo Bronzemen films I was puzzled by the '12' cert given. At least the latter contains a fair bit of strong violence imo. It seemed like a clear-cut '15' to me. One of the other films in the set which received an '18' contained a similar level of violence if not a bit less. I guess it's because they were submitted at different points in time but it's still baffling.

[Withnail74]

The Greatest Beer Run Ever joins the rare ranks of R-rated films being rated 12 in the UK:

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-g...pwwc0xmda3mdq1

[levcore]

Originally Posted by Withnail74

The Greatest Beer Run Ever joins the rare ranks of R-rated films being rated 12 in the UK:

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-g...pwwc0xmda3mdq1

Is there a list of r rated movies rated 12 in the UK?

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by Withnail74

The Greatest Beer Run Ever joins the rare ranks of R-rated films being rated 12 in the UK:

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-g...pwwc0xmda3mdq1

it has 6 F-words, which is typically the main reason some R-rated movies get 12A here. it's not actually that rare anymore since typically the F-word cap at PG-13 is around two whereas as long as there are under ten uses you can usually get a 12A here (several recent instances: this, Mank, On the Rocks, Spencer, Kajillionaire). another common reason is non-sexual nudity, which is why Nomadland and Power of the Dog are rated R in America but 12A here.

[UpsetSmiley]

Originally Posted by levcore

Is there a list of r rated movies rated 12 in the UK?

No but I'll start

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
The King's Speech (2010)
About Time (2013)
Nomadland (2020)

Not sure if Blazing Saddles counts, it was re-rated 12A in 2008 but is still rated R in the US. Would be a PG-13 today.

List of R rated films rated PG in the UK

Amadeus (1984)

End of list!

Edit: TV Tropes has this https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.p...ifferentRating

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by UpsetSmiley

No but I'll start

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
The King's Speech (2010)
About Time (2013)
Nomadland (2020)

Not sure if Blazing Saddles counts, it was re-rated 12A in 2008 but is still rated R in the US. Would be a PG-13 today.

My list of R rated films rated PG in the UK

Amadeus

End of list!

I Capture the Castle, Besieged, I'm with Lucy, Once Upon a Time in China III (cut for a horsefall), and The Green Ray are also instances of the rare R/PG.

[aus-blu]

Originally Posted by levcore

Is there a list of r rated movies rated 12 in the UK?

Here's my list of nearly 100 films that cover films rated PG or 12 in UK but R in USA. Been keeping track of such a phenomena for the past decade. Finally I have a reason to post it!

12 in UK, R in USA

2001: A Space Travesty (2000)
A Ghost Story (2016)
A Kid Like Jake (2018)
A Promise (2013) [12-rated version might be cut]
A Smile Like Yours (1997)
About Time (2013)
Affair of the Necklace, The (2001)
Aftersun (2022)
Akira (1988) [re-rated 15 in 1991]
Andrei Rublev (1966) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 1991, re-rated back to 15 in 2004]
Anna Karenina (2012)
Appleseed (2004)
Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)
Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1993)
Avalon (2001)
Ballad of Cable Hogue, The (1970) [Originally AA, re-rated PG in 1987, re-rated 12 in 2020]
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Extended Cut (2016)
Blazing Saddles (1974) [Originally AA, re-rated 15 in 1987, re-rated 12 in 2008]
Bully - Uncut Version (2011) [R rating surrendered, edited version appealed for PG-13]
Call Jane (2022)
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
Casanova (2005)
Chalet Girl (2011)
Children's Act, The (2017)
Cleaning, The (2004)
Closing the Ring (2007)
Cowboy Bepop: The Movie (2001)
Crip Camp (2020)
Cutie and the Boxer (2013)
Dark Side of the Sun, The (1988)
Days of Glory (2006)
Death of a President (2006)
Detective Chinatown 2 (2018)
Dr. T & the Women (2000)
Dressmaker, The (2015)
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
Ghoulies IV (1994) [Originally 15 cut, re-rated 12 uncut in 2004]
Glorias, The (2020)
Greatest Beer Run Ever, The (2022)
Green Ray, The (1986) [Originally PG, re-rated 12 in 2014]
Horror of Frankenstein, The (1970) [Originally X, re-rated 15 in 1999, re-rated 12 in 2021]
Innocence (2000)
Kajillionaire (2020)
Kill Them All and Come Back Alone (1968) [Originally X, re-rated 12 in 2021]
Kindergarten Teacher, The (2018)
Kings Speech (2010) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 on appeal]
La Cage aux Folles (1978) [Originally AA, re-rated 15 in 1987, re-rated 12 in 2018]
La Cage aux Folles II (1980) [Originally AA, re-rated PG in 1996, re-rated 12 in 2002]
Last of the Mohicans, The (1992)
Life of Brian (1979) [Originally AA, re-rated 15 in 1988, re-rated 12 in 2019]
Little Stranger, The (2018)
Lovers, The / Time Traveler (2015)
Ma vie en rose (1997)
Manhattan (1979) [Originally AA, re-rated 15 in 1987, re-rated 12 in 2006]
Mank (2020)
Match Point (2005)
Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus (2010)
Micmacs (2009)
Monsters (2010)
Mortdecai - Uncut Version (2015)
Mr. Turner (2014)
Never Let Me Go (2010)
Next Stop Wonderland (1998)
Nomadland (2020)
On the Rocks (2020)
One from the Heart (1981) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 2004]
Open Range (2003)
Ordinary Love (2019)
Power of the Dog, The (2021)
Ran (1985) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 2004]
Rock of Ages - Extended Cut (2012)
Rocky Horror Picture Show, The (1975) [Originally AA, re-rated 15 in 1987, re-rated 12 in 1991]
She's Funny That Way (2014)
Spawn - Director's Cut (1997) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 2022]
Spencer (2021)
Stolen (2012)
Sucker Punch - Extended Cut (2009)
Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Terminator Salvation - Director's Cut (2009)
Their Finest (2016)
There Will Be Blood (2007) [Re-rated 15 on appeal]
To the Wonder (2012)
Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)
Topsy-Turvy (1999)
Valmont (1989) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 2007]
Vanishing, The (1988) [re-rated 15 in 2017]
Vera Drake (2004)
Warlock (1989) [Originally 15, re-rated 12 in 2011]
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) [Originally rated 15, re-rated 12 in 2005]
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010)

PG in UK, R in USA

Amadeus - Director's Cut (1985)
Ballad of Cable Hogue, The (1970) [Originally AA, re-rated PG in 1987, re-rated 12 in 2020]
Besieged (1998)
Green Ray, The (1986) [Originally PG, re-rated 12 in 2014]
I Capture the Castle (2003)
I'm with Lucy (2002)
La Cage aux Folles II (1980) [Originally AA, re-rated PG in 1996, re-rated 12 in 2002]
Moontrap (1989)
Once Upon a Time in China III (1992) [Brief cut for animal cruelty]
Thomas Crown Affair, The (1968) [Originally A, re-rated PG in 1988]

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by aus-blu

Here's my list of nearly 100 films that cover films rated PG or 12 in UK but R in USA. Been keeping track of such a phenomena for the past decade. Finally I have a reason to post it!

excellently comprehensive list, though Love Rosie has always been a 15 here. The Ballad of Cable Hogue was a PG/R for a long time too, but was upgraded to 12.

[aus-blu]

Originally Posted by doomgen

excellently comprehensive list, though Love Rosie has always been a 15 here. The Ballad of Cable Hogue was a PG/R for a long time too, but was upgraded to 12.

Thanks for the notes! Edited the list accordingly.

Also for anyone interested here's the videogame equivalent list before the BBFC stopped rating videogames:

12 in UK, M (Mature 17+) in USA

Area 51 (1995)
Blades of Time (2012)
Corpse Killer (1994)
Dragon's Dogma (2012)
Dungeon Siege II Deluxe (2006)
Halo 2: Multiplayer Map Pack (2005)
Hexen (1995)
Mass Effect (2007)
Metal Gear Solid - Digital Graphic Novel (2006)
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (2006)
Rise of the Triad (1994)
Serious Sam II (2005)
Star Trek Klingon (1996)
Two Worlds (2007)
XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)

PG in UK, M (Mature 17+) in USA

The Space Adventure (1994)

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by aus-blu

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)

this game being a 12 is pretty wild to me since despite the sci-fi context which makes most of the game fine at that rating there are occasional strong gory images of corpses in the environment. go to 4:26 and 5:30 in this video for what I mean, it's definitely stronger than some T-rated games they gave 15 like Batman: Arkham City.

XCOM Enemy Unknown - First Mission gameplay, opening sequence revealed - YouTube

[Withnail74]

Originally Posted by aus-blu

Here's my list of nearly 100 films that cover films rated PG or 12 in UK but R in USA. Been keeping track of such a phenomena for the past decade. Finally I have a reason to post it!

12 in UK, R in USA

Extraordinary given how lenient some 1970s US PGs are (The Getaway, All The President's Men, Killer Elite) that some of these were considered R material.