BBFC Research

History

The chart below shows the evolution of the BBFC category system from 1913, when only the ‘U’ and ‘A’ certificates existed, to the present day.

Year	Media	Unrestricted category	Advisory category	Restrictive category
1913	film	U – Universal	A – More suitable for adults (no film certified that was not clean and wholesome)	None
1921	film			London County Council – no entrance to young people at ‘A’ films, except with parent or guardian
1932	film		H – Indicated horror and was advisory
1951				X – incorporated old ‘H’ and limited audience to those over 16 years
1970	film	U – Universal	A - advisory, parents cautioned that film may be unsuitable for young children	AA – admission to children of 14 years or over X – raised from 16 to 18 years
1982	film	U – Universal	PG – Parental Guidance – general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children	15 – no person under the age of 15 to be admitted. 18 – no person under the age of 18 to be admitted. R18 – for films containing more explicit sexual depictions
1985	video	Uc – Universal particularly suitable for young children U – Universal	PG – Parental Guidance – general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children	15 – suitable only for persons of 15 years and over 18 – suitable only for persons of 18 years and over R18 – restricted to distribution in licensed premises. No one under 18 to be admitted
1989	film			12 – no person under the age of 12 to be admitted
1994	video			12 – suitable only for persons of 12 years and over
2002	film			12A – no-one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied throughout by an adult

By Alex Parker