18 ~ R18

• R18 =sex works containing images of real sex, strong fettishes, explicit animated images or strong sexual images so generally stronger and more specific activity than normal 18
• 18 can be of educational value which is rarer for R18 eg R18 activites not often justified by context

15 ~ 18

• themes treatment suitable for 15 +
• stronger sexual behaviour/references
• strongest language allowed
• general content suitable for a more adult audience rather than 15-17 year olds

12A ~ 15

• move to allowing stronger discrimitory language - so long as not endorsed
• can show taking drugs
• moderate - strong threat/horror
• stronger and more frequent language allowed from moderate
• nudity moves to allowed in sexual context
• openning up of themes
• moderate to strong language, verbal reference to sexual violence

PG ~ 12A

• can contain more discrimination but not endorsed
• can show infrequent drug misuse without antidrug message
• move from infrequent to moderate violence
• concern moves from younger copying behavoiur to concern over dangerous acts
• mild to maderate lang
• nudity un to acceptable
• strengthening sex references and implication for young teens
• more mature themes allowed
• moderate violence allowed without context - stronger stuff must have conext - mild implication of sex violence 

U ~ PG

• some discrimination allowed in educational context
• short frightening sequences allowed
• (no detail) of imitable behaviour or glamourised weapons
• Infrequent to mild bad language
• no treatment condonning unacceptable behaviour
• mild vio - moderate with justified context

R18

restricted category for only aspecially licensed cinemas and licensed sex shops

*most unrestricted only few extreme exceptions*

• strong sexual images involved in sexworks
• NOT illegal activity including obscenity (obscenity law in 1954)
• NOT stuff encourage sexually abusive activity
• NOT sexual activity with no consent
• NOT showing pain causing lasting physical harm
• NOT penetration of violent object
• NOT strong physcial or verbal abuse inc. seual threat, humilation or abuse

18

highest rating in the cinema - targets adults excluding children - quite close boundaries between this and R18

*believes on whole adults should choose own entertainment as much as possible*

• nothing against the law
• harms test - material that may cause harm to individuals or society eg in portrayls of drug use, violent acts or sexual assault
• gratuitous or very sexplicit sexual imagry is not allowed except if its to inform or educate
• only some sex works allowed (which may be stimulated)

15

targets mainly 15-18 year olds - context can allow for stronger themes and content eg if educational or factual rather than gratuitous

• not endorse discrimination
• drug taking can be shown but not endorsed - harsher on easily accessible areosols and solvents
• strong threat allowed unless sexualised
• no detail of dangerous behaviour - no glamourising weapons
• frequent strong language is fine - but not aggressive or repeated very strong language
• nudity fine - but no strong detail if sexual
• sexual activity cant have strong detail but can have strong verbal references - but not the strongest references or if primary purpose is stimulation
• all themes is ok for 15s
• strong violence and detailed verbal reference is allowed - strongest gory images and sadistic violence not ok - sexual violence must be discreet

12A

12 or under12 with adult supervision - targets mainly 8-14 year olds - newest rating - can be controversial with comic/cartoon films like spiderman, superman and batman

• discrimination cant be condoned - heavy discrimination unlikely to pass
• drug use infrequent, non glamourised and non instructional
• moderate threat with infrequent disturbing sequences
• no detail for dangerous behaviour - pain should not appear harm free
• moderate language and infrequent strong
• brief if in sexual context
• discreet sexual activity, suitable for young teens, not too crude
• mature themes must be suitable for young teens
• moderate violence with no detail of blood or injuries; sexual violence implied IF context is justifies it

PG

Parental guidance - one of widest/best selling viewings

• no identifiable discrimination unless disapproved oreducational (moral context)
• drug references if only anti-drug message
• no prolonged or intense horror
• no glamourisation of weapons or details on dangerous behaviour
• mild bad language
• natural nudity but nothing sexual
• sex only discreetly implied and mild
• nothing should condone unacceptable behaviour
• non detailed moderate violence

*context may give more more leaniant classification eg fantasy or historical setting*

U

suitable for age 4 and over - universal - youngest rating in cinema - protecting children against undue anxiety, fear or inappropraite behaviour

• No discrimination
• no drug use unless educational or innnocous
• mild brief horror with reassuring outcome
• no potentially dangerous behaivour or/with accessible "weapons"
• very mild language
• no sexual nudity - mild natural
• very mild sex references - kissing
• sensitive treatment of themes suitable for youngsters
• mild threat and violent