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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, 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
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
That's good to see because Goblet of Fire has some intense scenes and if they want to do any justice to the book there has to be more scary scenes involved. So for me I'm glad to see that.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 12:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 883
Bossy Boots says:
That's beleivable. I guess the 12A rating is comparable to US's PG-13 rating. I tink it suits the film fine because it is darker and scarier than the first three. And there is a death. I wasn't surprised by the rating at all.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 12:27 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 546
AWD-HP says:
It must be pretty scary if they are saying kids 12 and under need a parent or guardian... It's okay I will be with my kids. It is kind of a family tradition to go and see HP movies when they come out...
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 1:09 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
Truska says:
Thats what I thought the rating would be and I'm glad that it is.
Oh its getting all so close!!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 1:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 564
nevada pooh says:
I guess that would be equivalent to PG-13 in the States. Sounds good. Some kids are a little more easily disturbed so it is up to mom and dad to help them out.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 2:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 718
ewfan123 says:
Whats that mean? I'm not from the United Kindom. We have different ratings!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 2:45 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
Glastea says:
It could be worse everyone! Some films are rated 15 in the UK for no reason (in my opinion). It just means anyone under 12 has to go with an adult, but since I'm over 12 I can go see it on my own- but I'm going for my sister's birthday with family and friends so it's all good!
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 4:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
I'm not surprised at all about the 12 and older ratings. GoF was a scary book with some dark and scary stuff happening in it. PLus the characters are getting older and things in their lives are getting more intense. But I do feel bad for all of the younger HP fans who might miss out on seeing it on the big screen.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 8:44 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
This 12A rating kind of sounds like it works like a R rating here in the US, except the age is 12. Well, this is very interesting. I never even knew that there was such a thing as a 12A rating.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 11:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 396
EbonyIvory says:
That's fair. When I took my little brother to see ChOS he pooped himself when the basilisk(sp) came out and he was 8 at the time and obviously this would be a little bit more scary than the previous 3 movies so it would have a harsher rating.
Bet you anything that in Australia (where I'm from) it'll be M15+.
Posted Oct 20, 2005 at 11:04 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
Well of course this is deserving of a higher age level rating...the books get progressively darker. I'm a bit overwhelmed just thinking about what book 7 will hold for our characters and the wizarding world. I don't think that I would have a youngster watch this film without some guided support.
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 12:24 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 450
natural-born-weasley says:
well here in Fresno kids that are like 5 are going to see it anyway.
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 12:39 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2138
Happy Pancakes says:
That is a good rating for it I think! It has some scary scenes in it especially the graveyard scene! I can't wait to see it!
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 2:50 AM EST
Student
Points: 284
CharlieChop8 says:
I thought it would be something like this. I knew it couldnt be anything lower because there is so much darker than the other books. accio december 1!
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 2:52 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 73
DasMuggle says:
They are deserving for the 12A rating. some of the scene there ar scary and so yucky!! especially when harry eaten the rat tail like weed and the graveyard where wormtail had cut his fingers!! ewwww
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 4:14 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1658
I luv to play Seeker says:
The rating sounds fair enough. The book is darker than the earlier ones, and thus movie is probably scarier too, especially the graveyard scene. Though I probably think that the tasks are going to be scary too. Children really should not go to watch the movie on their own.
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 5:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 675
Heiress_ to_Slytherin says:
12A I thought it was a 13A?!? Oh well I'm not complaining I'll be able to get in anyway, so it's fine with me! And besides children younger than 12 shouldn't be going to the cinema without an adult anyway, so all in all it's a fair rating if you ask me!
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 10:19 AM EST
The Fifth Marauder
Points: 2771
Curious Werewolf says:
12A? I was actually expecting that, apart from the fact that the US rated it PG13, it is a lot darker, scraier, etc. than the others. And 12A is only one rating up from PG anyway!
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 11:35 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
That seems just about right. It's a lot darker, at least in the book, as far as I know.
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 6:05 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
I guess its a decent rating, at least theyre thinking of the public in general where some younger viewers might get frightened, but at such an age they will probably go with their parents anyway, I cant wait to see it though...its going to be well ace!
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 7:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1955
DanFan723 says:
It is smart of them to do that. Alot kids think they can handle what is in a book but they can't really handle it when they actually see it visually.
Hope the rating this block any viewers from bugging their parents into taking them! =D he hehe
&hearts
Ale
Posted Oct 21, 2005 at 10:18 PM EST
Magical Owl Rising
Points: 4643
Hoots says:
I think PG-13 is a bit better. You need to be a teen to get in alone. I will be censoring the next few until my kids are older.
Posted Oct 22, 2005 at 1:10 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 453
whitebumblebee says:
I am one of those paronoid Moms who probably won't want her going to a movie without an adult until she's 20! Okay, maybe a teenager. But, it hardly matters- seeing I am going with her no matter what- she can't have all the fun!
Posted Oct 22, 2005 at 8:20 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 405
dtree1992 says:
I like the british ratings better than US.
Posted Oct 22, 2005 at 10:00 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 470
Lavender_Brown says:
Well, eh, is it a good or a bad thing, I do not know...
Posted Oct 22, 2005 at 11:08 AM EST
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