BBFC decisions you agree/disagree with...

[koopabeach]

They are a small group of independent filmmakers who make short films and documentaries. Their BBFC coverage is interesting and well-researched. Their documentary series Cutting Edge (hosted by Melon Farmers) examines censorship cuts made to films around the world..

https://www.youtube.com/@GnCFilms/videos

[doomgen]

I really like their channel and have been anticipating new material from them for years, but I do hope the Fawlty Towers episode is kind of a false start to this season as historic or in-depth BBFC cuts are far more interesting than TV edits which are understandable pre-watershed. for instance, the episode where they talked about the cuts to the Equalizer 2 and then demonstrated how they could have been made better was a good example of a video where their analysis really shines.

[GaryCouzens]

Picnic at Hanging Rock, an A certificate in cinemas in 1975 and a PG for homeviewing thereafter, is now a 12 in its full-length version, to be released in 4K/BD by Second Sight soon.

In Australia, it was originally G-rated but since 1999 has been a PG. In the US it's a PG.

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

Picnic at Hanging Rock, an A certificate in cinemas in 1975 and a PG for homeviewing thereafter, is now a 12 in its full-length version, to be released in 4K/BD by Second Sight soon.

In Australia, it was originally G-rated but since 1999 has been a PG. In the US it's a PG.

I haven't seen it but the rating upgrade does sound somewhat understandable. another comparably unsettling 70s psychological drama that would absolutely be a 12A now is Robert Altman's 3 Women, which was an AA on release but then got a PG for a 2006 DVD submission. what is most specifically surprising there at PG is sight of a drawn erect penis in a stylised mural, along with a prolonged and distressing albeit visually discreet scene of stillbirth which is intensified by the fact that a character who has been asked to call for assistance has intentionally not done so.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

Picnic at Hanging Rock, an A certificate in cinemas in 1975 and a PG for homeviewing thereafter, is now a 12 in its full-length version, to be released in 4K/BD by Second Sight soon.

The PG certificate as we knew it is dead.

12 is both the new PG and the old 12.

[koopabeach]

Originally Posted by Markgway

The PG certificate as we knew it is dead.

12 is both the new PG and the old 12.

Yes, I can't imagine something like 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' getting a PG now.

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by koopabeach

Yes, I can't imagine something like 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' getting a PG now.

The Lost World is a much stronger film in terms of its body count and occasional bloody detail than any of the recent Jurassic World films which are all 12A, the same way most of the U and PG-rated Star Wars films have stronger moments than the recent ones rated 12A (for instance the bloody severed arm in the original). however, the Jurassic Park films were classified PG with warnings suggesting they may be too strong for young children, since a 12 was considered but was not an advisory category at the time meaning if they were rated as such then nobody under 12 would be able to see them even if they were fine with the more frightening scenes - so they were basically proto-12A.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by Markgway

The PG certificate as we knew it is dead.

12 is both the new PG and the old 12.

I'm trying to think what was the last big release which wasn't specifically aimed at children and families which was a PG. Darkest Hour, maybe? I'm prompted by that having been on TV last weekend.

Part of this I suspect is that US distributors don't want adult films with PG ratings as they look like kids' movies. So they do something like adding a single F-word to get a PG-13 (which is the US rating Darkest Hour has).

[_Seth]

Originally Posted by Markgway

The PG certificate as we knew it is dead.

12 is both the new PG and the old 12.

I've also felt this.

Something like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are perfect PG-category, but I know if the former got re-rated it'd probably get a 12. But then again 12A is basically PG, but anything 12A surely automatically gets a 12 on home release. The cinema should just drop 12A, keep 12 and be more keen to just use PG.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by koopabeach

Yes, I can't imagine something like 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' getting a PG now.

It and the first one had massive warnings along with the rating

[doomgen]

Death On The Nile (1978) - 9Gem Australia TV Edits - YouTube

I know this is Agatha Christie so the murder scenes are an expected property, but this has to be one of the bloodiest PGs out there. if a recent film contained this kind of material it would probably be a 15, and I imagine the 12A-rated Kenneth Branagh remake has a good deal less blood. there are definitely action films that got X/18 at the time with comparable content, but the Ferman-era BBFC were much kinder to quaint mysteries.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by doomgen

Death On The Nile (1978) - 9Gem Australia TV Edits - YouTube I know this is Agatha Christie so the murder scenes are an expected property, but this has to be one of the bloodiest PGs out there. if a recent film contained this kind of material it would probably be a 15, and I imagine the 12A-rated Kenneth Branagh remake has a good deal less blood. there are definitely action films that got X/18 at the time with comparable content, but the Ferman-era BBFC were much kinder to quaint mysteries.

Agreed. Far too bloody for a PG. Even a 12 might be lenient.

[koopabeach]

Originally Posted by doomgen

Death On The Nile (1978) - 9Gem Australia TV Edits - YouTube I know this is Agatha Christie so the murder scenes are an expected property, but this has to be one of the bloodiest PGs out there. if a recent film contained this kind of material it would probably be a 15, and I imagine the 12A-rated Kenneth Branagh remake has a good deal less blood. there are definitely action films that got X/18 at the time with comparable content, but the Ferman-era BBFC were much kinder to quaint mysteries.

The masked throat-slitting is certainly too strong for a modern PG rating although the rest of it looks so fake and theatrical I'm not sure if I'd take it too seriously.

[LeftHandedGuitarist]

I recently rewatched Kindergarten Cop, and that's certainly in need of a re-classification. There's nothing in there that deserves the 15 certificate.

At the same time, I can understand the context for the initial decision, given the film's wild swings in tone. The advertising would certainly have promoted the film as a kid's comedy, but the film is bookended by a fairly violent beginning and end.

Seems like a solid 12 rating to me. Also, the film itself is still fantastic fun to watch.

[doomgen]

Originally Posted by koopabeach

The masked throat-slitting is certainly too strong for a modern PG rating although the rest of it looks so fake and theatrical I'm not sure if I'd take it too seriously.

personally I'd say a 12 is fine due to the film's age and context, but I feel like these days the BBFC would be hesitant to pass an onscreen suicide with visible blood at 12 considering their harshness towards any material relating to suicide.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by LeftHandedGuitarist

I recently rewatched Kindergarten Cop, and that's certainly in need of a re-classification. There's nothing in there that deserves the 15 certificate.

At the same time, I can understand the context for the initial decision, given the film's wild swings in tone. The advertising would certainly have promoted the film as a kid's comedy, but the film is bookended by a fairly violent beginning and end.

Seems like a solid 12 rating to me. Also, the film itself is still fantastic fun to watch.

It was originally child endangerment and the opening that pushed it over.

[Bes30]

Kindergarten Cop was a '12' at the cinema. The only cuts were to a woman being slapped, then Arnie elbowing/headbutting the men responsible outside the dodgy bar & shots of him shooting up the place afterwards (similar to the '89 Punisher cuts); the bit where Richard Tyson slams the man's head into a car door; the bit where Pamela Reed hits Carrol Baker with the bat (similar to the T2 cuts).

There were no cuts to the opening scene or child endangerment.

Watching it recently, the strongest bits were mostly left in by the bbfc at '12'; specifically during the intense climax where Tyson punches the mum in front of the child, and the somewhat bloody shooting injuries.

I'd certainly say a '12' is appropriate for the film watching it all in context. It's quite harsh at times but this is mitigated by the overall themes, comedy and uplifting aspects.

Great film by the way. Top 3 Arnie for me.

[Bes30]

Originally Posted by _Seth

I've also felt this.

Something like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are perfect PG-category, but I know if the former got re-rated it'd probably get a 12. But then again 12A is basically PG, but anything 12A surely automatically gets a 12 on home release. The cinema should just drop 12A, keep 12 and be more keen to just use PG.

Last Crusade has already been re-rated a '12A'.

The PG category is basically gone now.

[UpsetSmiley]

Return of the Jedi has now been reclassified at PG for 'moderate violence, mild threat'.
https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/star-...jpwwc0zmtuwodi

Surprised they didn't pass it at 12, IMO it's the second most violent Star Wars film beside Revenge of the Sith. Well, there is on-screen violence while the Sequel trilogy is just lightsabre swishing and no impactful violence.

[DTSBOY]

Originally Posted by Bes30

Kindergarten Cop was a '12' at the cinema. The only cuts were to a woman being slapped, then Arnie elbowing/headbutting the men responsible outside the dodgy bar & shots of him shooting up the place afterwards (similar to the '89 Punisher cuts); the bit where Richard Tyson slams the man's head into a car door; the bit where Pamela Reed hits Carrol Baker with the bat (similar to the T2 cuts).

There were no cuts to the opening scene or child endangerment.

Watching it recently, the strongest bits were mostly left in by the bbfc at '12'; specifically during the intense climax where Tyson punches the mum in front of the child, and the somewhat bloody shooting injuries.

I'd certainly say a '12' is appropriate for the film watching it all in context. It's quite harsh at times but this is mitigated by the overall themes, comedy and uplifting aspects.

Great film by the way. Top 3 Arnie for me.

"

[Show spoiler]what happened to your dog

" just a brilliant scene.