Universal - Suitable for audiences aged four years and over
- Does not raise any significant issues in terms of drugs, discrimination, imitable behavior, language, nudity or sex.
- Very mild bad language permitted, i.e "Damn" / "Hell" etc,
- Can have reference to sexual behavior but no focus on it, can be mild references to it.
- Can contain short scenes of violence or moments where characters are set in danger, however, these are usually overcome quickly and with a reassuring conclusion. Weapons can be used but with no obvious emphasis on them, unless needed by a historical depiction, for example.
- Main messages in a Universal rated film relate to friendship, loyalty and honesty, giving a positive message on these themes.
Parental Guidance - Suitable for general viewing but may upsetting scenes for young children
- Should not unsettle a child of eight years or older.
- Not all films given a PG rating are aimed at younger audiences, however, these movie should not contain scenes that would upset a younger audience either.
- Themes presented will not be inappropriate for a child. However, it can explore challenging issues such as bullying, racism or bereavement.
- Can contain mild bad language, such as "shit" or "son of a bitch", however, the inclusion of these into the movie depends on the context. If used in a violent or aggressive manner, the rating may be raised.
- References to sex allowed if they are infrequent and undetailed. Comedy can also lessen the effects of sexual references.
- Violence will be mild if used, with no detail of violence. Blood can be shown, but the injury
which resulted should not be shown in much detail. However, violence is more accepted depending on the context, i.e, in a comedic or historical piece.
- Potentially dangerous behavior presented in PG movies will not be emphasised, and if they are, the theme will be very negative.
- Can be reference to drugs and illegal drugs, but no emphasis placed on them.
12A and 12 - Suitable for people over the age of twelve to view, 12A open to any age as long as accompanied by a parent, but may be distressing for viewers younger then twelve.
- Tone of the movie is very important, for example, if the tone is dark and potentially disturbing to the audience, the rating may be raised to a 15. However, if the tone of the movie is positive, the rating may be lowered from a 15 to a 12, even if the movie does not totally correspond with the appropriate guidelines for this category.
- Strong language may be passed at this rating, as long as the context it is used in, as well as the frequency or any special contextual justification. Aggressive uses of bad language may result in the rating being raised. Discriminatory terms will most likely not be passed at this rating, i.e racist or homophobic remarks.
- Moderate violence can be shown but it should not dwell on detail, with no emphasis on injuries or blood. Brief gory moments can be shown, but require strong contextual justification, i.e a severe injury can be shown in a a medical drama. Use on weapons must not be emphasised or glorified.
- Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted, and horror films can be passed at this age as long as the overall tone is not disturbing.
- Dangerous behavior can be shown in this category but there should be no emphasis on it. Anti-social behavior should not be endorsed and minimal drug use is permitted as long as there is no emphasis on it.
15 - No one under the age of fifteen is permitted to watch a film of this rating in the cinema.
- No theme is prohibited, providing it is suitable for an audience of 15 year olds.
- Films rated in this category may contain strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behavior and drug taking.
- A great deal of strong language is permitted. Uses of the strongest terms, (c***) can be permitted but only depending on the context and a lack of frequency of these terms.
- There can be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, but this must not be endorsed.
- Sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Nudity is permitted but, again, without strong detail, as well as strong references to sex, however, extremely strong references may not be justified without a context.
- Strong violence is permitted, but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Extremely gory images may not be permitted, as well as strong sadistic violence.
- Can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
- Dangerous behavior is permitted but should not be focused on. Depictions of easily accessible weapons depends on the context of the movie, i.e the realism.
18 - No person under the age of eighteen is permitted to watch a film of this rating at the cinema.
- No theme is prohibited at 18, as long as the content is not illegal or harmful.
- Can contain strong issues such as: very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances) and discriminatory language and behavior.
- No limit on use of strong or strongest language in films rated 18, and they can be accompanied by violence or used in an aggressive tone.
- There can be racist, homophobic or discriminatory terms at 18, but the work as a whole must not breach any relevant legislation.
- Can be strong portrays and depictions of sex. Full nudity is also permitted, as well as strong and crude references to sex.
- Strong violence can be portrayed in great detail, as well as the goriest images.
- Drug taking can be shown but must not be endorsed.
- Very dangerous or criminal behavior MAY be cut.
R18 - Special and legally restricted certificate primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish. Can only be shown at licensed cinemas.
- Cannot breach criminal law, including material judge to be obscene under the Obscene Interpretations Act of 1959.
- Material must not encourage or interest sexual assault.
- No sexual activity portraying a lack of concept.
- Infliction of pain is prohibited, despite if real or fabricated.
- Penetration by any object associated with violence is not permitted.
- Abuse, sexual threat or humiliation which does not form part of a clearly consenting role is not permitted.
- Strong physical or verbal abuse is not permitted.
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