Classification

As we are making a horror film, we realised that classification was a rather important and slightly controversial subject. In this post we will illustrate the subtle differences which make the two guidelines slightly different.

Obviously, a film which carries a 15 certificate should not be watched by anyone under the age of 15. The basic guidelines suggest that controversial areas such as sex, violence and drugs may be shown regularly so long as they are not overly done (or in the case of drugs, not shown to be endorsing them.)

In the case of horror themes, 15 films are fairly flexible in showing any menacing scenes, unless these scenes are deemed as sadistic.

18 is the final classification (excluding R18), and states that only people over this age are permitted to watch these films. The main difference between this classification and the one before it is links to sex: in 18 films, sexual scenes can be much more visual and possibly crude. Some of these films may be seen to be pornographic, and so are deemed 18. However, there are very few other differences, which leads us to the conclusion that our film (which will not include sexual references) will be classified as a 15.