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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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Mage of Celestial Melody
Points: 3324
Telos says:
Childern should be able to go. If they go with their parents or guardian it would be better so they won't have nightmares, which is common. Harry Potter is much darker but PG-13 is a little high for my taste.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 10:55 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2252
cjoyath2o says:
Well it was pg13 here in the US, so I am not really surprised. I am thinking that it will be pretty necessary.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 11:06 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 787
Beyondfreedom3 says:
Knowing what is supposed to be in this movie, and being a parent myself, I am glad for the rating in both countries. Seeing Voldemort come back and Cedric killed, would be alot to handle for young kids.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 11:10 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 389
AngelOfMusic860 says:
Well, we should have expected it shouldn't we? I mean this is more well, danger, and so much darker. But hey! I don't reject. I like dark and scary movies. In the US it is PG-13 which means it is sure to be good. 29 days left until my Giant Screen view of GoF! Yay! I am so excited! Go Harry Potter 4!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 11:19 PM EST
Mrs. Ronald Weasley
Points: 2606
hplover234 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... This book was a lot darker than the previous ones so it works out.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 11:32 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Hmmm, I learn something new every day. I didn't know there was a different rating system in the UK. Well, I think the movies should get the harder ratings. Especially this one... the graveyard scene in the book freaked me out and I'm almost 30.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 11:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 778
stillDUMBLEDORESgirl says:
I don't really know what that means but it seems like from the other posts that it is the rating of the movie. Does it mean that no one under 12 can go into the movie?
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 12:01 AM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe 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 20, 2005 at 12:38 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1004
heart_hArrY says:
so they said Gore would be in the film! NO DUH!!!, I think it's about time the movies got a higher rating. I mean when it's lik PG and everything it makes the appearnce of the film childish adn this is not a "childish" series to be read. never the less watch.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 12:39 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1418
Wanta House Elf says:
That seems fine to me. The kids will just drag mom or dad along anyway -- and they probably wanted to see it all along!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 12:44 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger says:
12? Ouch, that's higher then i expected.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 1:39 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 468
Laura_Granger 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 20, 2005 at 1:40 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 415
minerva1021 says:
Hey, I've seen parents take five year olds into a horror movie before, nothing will stop them. A lot of parents are retards when it comes to movie descisons for thier children.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 2:28 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
I hope the highter rating would convince some parents to consider carefully if their child is going to enjoy the movie or will be disturbed by it. Just from the subject material in the book, I would say the rating is justified, and I'd be surprised if any of the rest of the HP movies will go below PG13, if they stay true to the books.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 2:49 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2474
Leina D. says:
That's fantastic! I mean, Harry Potter did start out to attract young children...not allowing them to view it would be like losing a major market for Harry Potter wouldn't it?
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 3:13 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
Chahat says:
Well I agree the books are getting darker so maybe the rating is ok. After all grown up people with understanding on the subject have well thought about it.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 3:39 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 49
mr.albus dumbledore says:
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could go to the cinema with all of my friends!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 4:41 AM EST
Student
Points: 257
Luna Fairchild says:
I agree with Mïnerva1021... It's outrages cause theres a reason they make it
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 5:52 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
I think that's ok seeing that the us rated it a 13PG but there is alot of blood and violence in this movie and of course the frightening image...
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 6:35 AM EST
canon
Points: 2575
gaea says:
Well, it had to be didn't it. You can't kill off and and resurrect people without expecting this.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 6:50 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
PotterGirlThru&Thru says:
That's higher than I expected, but I think that's good, this film will be very scaring...
I wonder how will be here in Italy...
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 7:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 804
PadfootsGirl says:
I expected it to be a 12. Personally I think the book is very scary and a bit more complex for under 12's (stabbing Harry in the graveyard etc).
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 7:30 AM EST
Witch
Points: 564
val_the_pyro07 says:
Well i expected the ratings to get higher, because the story has the situations becoming a little more mature, but not too bad though. I cant wait a month for this movie to come out!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 8:12 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
That sounds about right. I expected this movie to get a higher rating since the book is so much darker then the others. I'm definatly going to go see it before letting my 7 year old son watch it. He may have to wait till it comes out on video.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 8:54 AM EST
Student
Points: 259
Harriet Poltergiest says:
Yeah. I think the pg13 is good since it's starting to get were movies in the U.S. are dorky without it. No affence to HP 1 and 2 and 3. But I think that is as high as they will go. I don't think they will make any of the others R or anything like that. If it's ok for 10 year olds to read it then its awesome and not going to be R. If it was R it would have to have got stuff in it thats not in the book..
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 9:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
Of course, the ratings are only going to get worse (see the last book!)
I was expecting this, and if it came as a surprise, then, well, maybe you haven't read the book.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 9:40 AM EST
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