BBFC Research

The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification. They are in charge of distributing films with the correct classification age for viewers to watch. The classifications are U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 and R18.
I am going to research the classification of 15 and 18, I have decided to look into these two categories because thriller films are always for viewers aged 15 or over.


This means that no one under the age of 15 is able to view this film within a cinema or purchase the film. There are many reasons why some films are rated as a 15, one reason is the fact it is likely to include a strong amount violence and bad language.Even though bad language is allowed as a whole it should not represent any type of discrimination verbally or behaviour. The use of bad language can also contain verbal references to sexual violence. However, this cannot contain images of sexual violence or a large amount of pain.Sexual scenes are not prohibited within a 15, but nudity is allowed. Nudity may contain a Sexual concept, although the content can only be minor. Drugs are another concept that may be used within a 15 film, however it must not promote the use of drugs or persuade the audience to use drugs.Certain types of drug use for example solvents as well as aerosols are not allowed to be used, as they are highly accessible and dangerous to use. Although dangerous behaviour such as suicide is allowed but on a small range of content and must not be very detailed, as many weapons for example knives are easy to access.

A good example of a thriller rated 15 is 'The Stepfather' this is about a  man named Michael. As he returns home from military school he finds out his mother is happily in love and living with her new fiance. As the two men get to know each other, Micheal becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand. However the films begins with the male shaving within this home, he then eats some toast and walks out the door. We then see the horror of his wife and her 3 children dead around the living room and kitchen. As a result throughout the film we know that Micheals mother's fiance is a murdered and wait in suspense for him to attack.

This category means that no one under the age of 18 is authorised to view this within a cinema or purchase the film. Like the 15 classification there are reasons to why some films are for the ages of 18 and above. this classification is aimed at adults as it usually contains sex within the film,showing clearer images. However the use of sex is usually fake and simulated. Actually sex scenes containing strong clear images or even sexual material is not permitted. 18 rated films are allowed to include the use of violence and bad language. it can be based on a criminal offence or

An example of a thriller rated at 18 is Seven. It is about two detectives, a rookie and a veteran,  who hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. Obviously there will be lots of violent and disturbing images of the serial killer killing his victims and this is why the film is rated as an 18.

The thriller project I am producing will be a 15. I have chosen this for many reasons. one main reason is my age, being 17 I am more used to watching 15 rated films and therefore have more of an understanding of what is usually allowed and used. Another reason is that fact that it cant contain a large amount of violence, for example a extremely detailed murder. This is helpful as we are unable to pay a professional stuntman and so would be safer for us to produce a less violent film.