Film/age Certificates

Film ratings are decided by the British Board of Film Classification and they have been since 1912. Before this there were no agreed rating standards and local councils came up with their own. For cinema releases the British board of film classification have no legal power and the council decide who should be admired to a certain film. Each film has a film certificate, this indicates who the film is aimed at and who is able to watch it. If a film has the certificate of U this means it's suitable for everyone to watch, from babies to old people. If the if has a certificate of PG the it means that if a child is to watch it then they should be accompanied by an adult. If a film has the certificate of 12a then this means that under 12 year olds need an adult. If the film just has a 12 then this means it's only suitable for those who are over 12 years old. If it has a 15 then you must be 15 years old or older and an 18 means you must be over the age of 18.