“I enjoy a good movie, no matter what the genre.”

– Namrata Shirodkar

Like Namrata Shirodkar, a popular Indian actress and former Miss India, we all enjoy watching a good movie. However, what constitutes a good movie is the question to consider.

Ever since their inception in the late 1880s, films have been constantly evolving. Although a novelty in the beginning, movies have gradually grown to become an indispensable part of many of our lives. They not only serve as means of entertainment but have also evolved to be agents of change. They can be used to educate people about important global issues.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Now, imagine, how effective will a motion picture be. Films leave a deep impact on our minds. Inadvertently, they shape the way we think. Movies play a big role in formulating the collective consciousness. Hence, it is very important to regulate what is shown on the big screens, especially today, when easily impressionable kids can have access to any movie they want. This has led to the formation of film ratings.

What & Why?

Film ratings classify films based on their content, especially the way they portray sensitive topics like violence, sex, drugs, and swearing. Ratings determine the suitability of a film for particular audiences. Though they may only appear to be a letter and a number that are shown at the beginning of every movie, film ratings are of utmost importance for both audiences and filmmakers. They help parents decide which movie is suitable for their children’s eyes. Ratings determine the audience size and consequently the box office revenue of a movie.

While some countries have an independent organization that determines the suitability of films, in other countries film ratings are bestowed by government agencies.

The History of Film Ratings

Film ratings first came into existence in 1912 in Great Britain. Before the British Board of Classification started to categorize movies, local authorities determined which movies were to be shown to the public as per the Cinematograph Act. Prior to 1912, there were no set standards to determine the suitability of films. With the emergence of the BBFC, film ratings not only became fair but also began to evolve.

In the United States of America, the Motion Picture Association introduced the Hays Code in 1930 which prevented films from showing explicit sexual content, violence, or anything deemed to be too corruptive. Though the Hayes Code was in place for more than thirty years, it soon became outdated. In fact, Jack Valenti, former president of the Motion Picture Association, considered it to be bearing “the odious smell of censorship”. In 1968, a new rating system was introduced to classify films based on their suitability for certain age groups. The MPA rating system is regulated by the Classification & Ratings Administration (CARA), a division of the MPA comprised of an independent panel of parents. 

In Australia, the Commonwealth Film Censorship Board was originally in charge of classifying films. Today, it has evolved into the Australian Classification Board, an Australian government statutory body. ACB not only classifies and censors films but also all video games and other productions that are exhibited in the country.

Just like in Australia, films are certified by a government body in India. The Central Board of Film Certification under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is in charge of rating movies under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act of 1952. 

Understanding Film Ratings

Ratings does stipulate the appropriateness of films. Instead, they give an idea about the content of the movie to help parents make informed decisions about what to show their children. Ratings usually contain three parts. Let us understand them in detail.

• Rating Letter – Letters like G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17 indicate the level of the content. These vary in different countries.
• Rating Definition – In the lower box of the rating, there is a brief explanation of the meaning of that rating. These may include statements like “Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children” or “Some Material May be Inappropriate for Children Under 13”.
• Rating Descriptors: They appear on the right of the rating letter. Unique to the film in question, they explain why the film received the rating it did. Statements like “Mild Language and some crude humor”, or “For sequences of strong violence, language throughout, and some nudity” are included here.

Film Ratings & Their Implications

Every country has its own film rating system. Let us have a look at the ones implemented by the UK, USA, Australia, and India.

The BBFC Classification of the United Kingdom

• U – The Universal rating (U) implies that the film is suitable for all audiences, irrespective of age.
• PG – The Parental Guidance (PG) indicates general viewing with some unsuitable scenes for young children.
• 12 – This is for people over the age of 12.
• 12A – For these films, anyone under the age of 1w should be accompanied by an adult.
• 15 – This is for people over the age of 15.
• 18 – This is for persons over 18 years old.
• R18 – This implies that the film is suitable only for people over the age of 18 and is only for supply in sex shops.

The Motion Picture Association Film Rating System

• G – This rating is given to films that are considered to be suitable for “General Audiences.” This implies that the film does not contain any objectionable content and is suitable for all.
• PG – PG films are considered safe for kids and may contain some suggestive content. Hence, “Parental Guidance” is advised.
• PG 13 – This rating indicates suitability for people over the age of 13 and advises “Parental Guidance.” This is bestowed to movies which contain more objectionable content than PG films but not enough to be rated R.
• R – R refers to “Restricted’ here. This means nobody below the age requirement will be granted admittance unless they are accompanied by a parent or a guardian.
• NC- 17 – NC-17 implies “Noone 17 and Under Admitted.” It is the highest rating that a film can receive.

The Australian Rating System

• G – Content classified as General (G) is suitable for everybody.
• PG – PG (Parental Guidance) rated content is considered mild in impact. They are given to films that may confuse or upset children. Hence, parental guidance is advised in such cases.
• M – Mature (M) rated content is deemed moderate in impact. These films are not recommended to children under 15. However, they can access it legally if they desire.
• MA 15+ – Mature Accompanied (MA 15+) rated films are considered strong in impact. These are legally restricted to people aged 15 or more. Anyone under 15 has to be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian for the entire duration of the movie.
• R 18 + – Restricted (R 18+) rated content is considered high in impact. These are legally restricted to people aged 18 and above.
• X 18+ – Restricted (X 18+) is the rating given to films that contain explicit sexual content including intercourse and other sexual activity between consenting adults.

The Film Rating System in India

• U certificate – These films are deemed family-friendly and fit for unrestricted public exhibition. They may contain very mild sexual scenes without any traces of nudity or sexual detail.
• U/A certificate – Films with the U/A rating may contain moderate adult themes and are considered inappropriate to be watched without adult supervision. The age threshold for such films is 7 years.
• A certificate – Though available for public exhibition, A certified films are restricted to people aged 18 and above. These films usually contain explicit violence, sexual scenes, and abusive language. However, words that degrade women or any social group are prohibited.
• S certificate – These films are only allowed to be viewed  by certain people associated with them like doctors or scientists.

Conclusion

Film ratings have evolved a lot and become an important aspect of the movie industry. Filmmakers have to carefully think about their content as ratings can make or break their films. This is because ratings define the reach of a film, thus affecting its revenue collection. Though many may think that film ratings restrict artistic expression, they are essential as they help decide on the content suitable for young impressionable eyes.

Source Links

• https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/namrata-shirodkar-quotes
• https://www.motionpictures.org/film-ratings/
• https://www.filmratings.com/
• https://www.bbfc.co.uk/
• https://www.classification.gov.au/
• https://cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/

What an Expert Thinks

I think film ratings are largely a marketing tool. They’re a way to generate buzz and steer audiences toward certain movies, but there are smarter ways to use them. For example, platforms like Letterboxd take ratings to another level. It’s not just about scoring films—it’s also about creating a sense of community.

Letterboxd combines a rating system with a social media experience, allowing people to share their thoughts, build lists, and connect with others who share their love for cinema. To me, that’s such a clever way to present and celebrate films, making ratings more than just numbers.

Juan P Soto, Film Director/Writer and Founder at VivFilmo LLC

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