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OCTOBER 19, 2005 at 1:31 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: CBBC Newsround
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has given
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a 12A rating in the UK. The rating means that children under 12 can go and see it but only if they are with a parent or guardian. According to the BBFC the rating was given because the movie is "scarier and darker" than the others.
In an interview with CBBC Newsround, Helen Pang of the BBFC discusses the process in deciding the ratings and the reason why GoF received the rating it did:
The latest Harry Potter film is much darker and scarier than the previous three, which were all classified PG (Parental Guidance, suitable for people aged around 8 or older).
So Examiners decided that the 12A was the most suitable category, as younger or more sensitive viewers could be frightened by some of the more intense scenes (which I can't reveal as you'd get upset with me!).
The ending was a shock too, although maybe if you have read the books, you'll be expecting it anyway.
At 12A, we allow moderate level violence, but without focus on injuries or blood. We also allow scenes of threat and horror, but only if there is little 'gore'.
The UK rating seems similar to the one in the U.S., which was released back in August.
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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1272
Raveros says:
12? Ouch, that's higher then i expected.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:34 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Not a real surprise, since it had a similar rating happen here. It also looks more scary and darker in the trailers. I hope the higher rating means that they are true to the story and not just going for effects to attract a larger audience.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1996
AncientJoy says:
So that's about the same as a PG13 in the States? Sounds like the right thing to do considering how much darker and more serious the books have become.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1279
SlytherinHeiress says:
I'm glad the rating is going to be similar to the US rating. I agree that though there may be younger Harry Potter fans out there, this movie may be a bit scary for them. Not that they shouldn't see it at all, just they should have a parent there to cover their eyes or tell them, "It's just a movie," when something scary happens. This makes me wonder if they don't actually show Wormtail cutting his hand off. Wow! That would be crazy.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2164
Prydwen says:
This movie is darker- much darker. And if you read the other books it gets very violent and dark- not suitable for children. So people must start getting use to the idea of a high age restriction.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:39 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 516
King of Potter Knowledge says:
Well it is darker than the first three so I suppose this is right.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:43 PM EST
The Last Herald-Mage
Points: 2621
darrrrkwind says:
I'm not surprised really. But do they actually enforce the age limit? PG-13 is just a recommendation in the US, and no one can tell 12-year-olds they can't go without their parents. If they enforce it, it seems kind of like a younger kid's version of an R-rating. Interesting...
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:47 PM EST
Student
Points: 236
Mystica says:
It's not a suprise. It's probably the scariest and darkest out of the all. I wonder how they dealt with the scenes. Can't wait to see it.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:48 PM EST
I'm Daniel's Everything
Points: 4009
KissMeInTheRain says:
I'm glad that they're staying pretty consistant with the rating everywhere. This movie is going to be awesome!!! Hurry up November!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 816
Y:h. says:
Hiya!
As I always said: Harry Potter is no book for children under at least 14. There may be some children under this age, of course there will, but I don't think that they understand the true meaning of Harry Potter. Of the characters' thoughts (okay, of Harry's thoughts) or the things the book handles with. A dark Lord which destroyed those who were dangerous for him. Nene ... no chidren's book. Defenitely not. I think 12A is ... okay. Yeah. With the parents (or a guardian) it should be ... okay. Yeah.
But hey! I don't care! I'm allowed to drink, I'm allowed to smoke (which DOES NOT mean that I'm doing it)! I don't care if the film is 12A or Pg-13 in USA. In Germany (where I come from, to my own disgust) the film will be for children of the age of 14. Fine. I don't vare. Do as you like!!!
So long, Y:h.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:56 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4040
Dan's no.1 fan 4ever says:
I was hoping it would be 12A! MY sister will be really pleased anyway, 'cos if it had been a 12, she wouldn't have been able to watch it!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:56 PM EST
Gutter Girl Fabulous
Points: 8730
SamhainWitch7 says:
Well how about that. The US rating was PG13 wasn't it? I'm not surprised that they made it that in the UK then. I think the kids can handle this movie, but I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. We don't want a stampede of angry parents going after the producers of the movie!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 1:59 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 316
quidditch princess says:
I expected it to be a 12a actually, because it does look much scarier than the other 3. I don't think it is a bad thing though, because how many chidren under 12 go to the cinema on their own anyway, so it doesn't make much difference.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:02 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
NYmphTonks says:
Well, it sounds like we're all in agreement about the rating. Makes sense to me.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:05 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 426
donnarai says:
Not a surprise in fact i am glad cause that shows its going to be quite dark which is always good :)
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:05 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
Ofcourse it "darker" it's the resurection of lord Voldemort!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
I think that the rating is appropriate for what happens in this movie. I doubt that any of the future movies will be less than pg-13 either.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:06 PM EST
Weasley Garden Faerie
Points: 4481
Tamlynn says:
I am scared and excited by just reading the news post. I keep forgetting what the end of the movie is going to be until I am reminded by pictures and posts like these. It's going to be so exciting! My family and I all plan on going, but I think my younger ones might get scared.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:07 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
HAHA WOW! I can't believe GOF has been given such high MPAA ratings! GOODNESS I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT ANYMORE!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 924
>OnlyTheCorpsNow< says:
|was expecting it to be that high, its a lot better than PG13, but it does look a lot scarier than the first 3, but noone will miss out, the littler kids can go see it with their mums or something.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:11 PM EST
Squib
Points: 198
Murtagh says:
I'm too excited! All this information and only 29 days 5 hours to go!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1668
Looooney says:
Well, this really isn't much of a shock, but it is interesting to learn the levels of the different ratings systems. What's the difference between 12 and 12A in the UK?
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
the_girl_who_lived89 says:
Hello I think it's a good choice to raiting the movie from 12 years. In Sweden we only have this levels of raiting:
for universal showing, 7 years, 11 years or from 7 years with an adult and from 15 years.
We have also raiting some dvds from 18 years or for adults only...
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:20 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 348
mpk says:
At the beginning I thought that a 13PG was too high, but now I think that is right, because the scenes wasn't as the others film.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:23 PM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5256
juliebug04 says:
Personally, I think that is as it should be. If the graveyard scene is anything like I envisioned it when I read the book, I wouldn't want younger children to see it...
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:26 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2469
Fat Lady Sings says:
It has been interesting to read these posts and to learn about the rating systems in other countries.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 2:28 PM EST
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