Bbfc Podcast

We discuss the classification history of Gremlins (1984), a fantasy feature in which a man acquires a mysterious creature which comes with strict care instructions.

To mark 400 years since Shakespeare's death, we're using a few episodes of the podcast to delve into the BBFC archive files for some of the film adaptations of Shakespeare's most famous works. In this episode we discuss Romeo And Juliet (1968), directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey.

In this episode we discuss the classification history of The Exorcist (1973), directed by William Friedkin and based on his 1971 novel of the same title.

We discuss the classification history of Life of Brian (1979), a religious satirical comedy film starring and written by the Monty Python group.

We discuss the classification of the Sergio Leone Western The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966).

We discuss the classification history of the British surreal comedy Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975).

In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1994 film Natural Born Killers, starring Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr. and Tommy Lee Jones.

We discuss the classification of the first Hunger Games film with BBFC Director David Cooke. The film was classified 12A following 7 seconds of cuts, plus reductions made at advice stage.

We speak to BBFC Director David Cooke about the first Harry Potter film to achieve a 12A classification. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), highlights the useful flexibility of the 12A category.

In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1977 hit film Saturday Night Fever.

We speak to Marianne Grant of the MPA about a new campaign to encourage respect for the value of creativity in the UK and increase awareness and use of the wide range of legal sources of content available.

In this episode we talk to BBFC Director David Cooke about the classification of the 2009 film, The Lovely Bones. Classified 12A in November 2009 and released in cinemas in February 2010, The Lovely Bones is a drama about a 14-year-old girl whose spirit inhabits a limbo between life and death from which she tells of her murder by a neighbour.

In this episode we discuss the classification history of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), which stars the late Gunnar Hansen (March 4, 1947 – November 7, 2015), well known for his role as Leatherface in the film.

In this episode of the podcast we mark the 60th anniversary of the UK release of Rebel Without A Cause (1955).

In this episode we discuss the classification history of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster film Jaws (1975).

In this episode we discuss classifying films that fall on the border of two classification categories, including A Little Chaos and Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For. In future episodes we'll discuss other borderline films, including The Lovely Bones.

In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1979 science fiction drama Alien.

Listen to the second installment of a two-part series about classifying science fiction films. In this episode we discuss Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Star Trek Into Darkness and Oblivion.

In this episode we discuss classifying sci-fi films, beginning with The War Of The Worlds (1953) and the Steven Spielberg adaptation, War Of The Worlds (2005).

In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1967 film Bedazzled. The film was classified A for cinema release in 1967, which although not a restrictive rating (like the X, suitable for those over 16 only), the A certificate suggested the film was more suitable for adult audiences. When Bedazzled was submitted for video classification in 1988, it was classified PG. At this time there was no 12 classification, so the choice was between PG and 15, and the BBFC considered PG to be the appropriate category for the video. Bedazzled (1967) was most recently classified 12 on video in 2005, with the BBFCinsight: 'Contains moderate sex references'.