|
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.
Reader Comments (186)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
*nods* That was what I had expected when I realised that the books were going to be turned inot movies. There is no way that the Goberlit of Fire should be any less. But I still think that parents will take their children to see it anyway, regardless, as it is Harry Potter.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 5:46 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1023
hpff_#1 says:
This is the perfect rating in my opinion. I know some young kids and I know that they will not be able to get through the slightly scary parts of the movie. I read the book when I was under 12 and I personally got a little freaked out so visually seeing it might be harder to see for children.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 5:46 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 331
cckeimig says:
I don't know why so many people are surprised by this rating! I think the last film should have had it as well. HP gets darker and darker as Harry and friends get older. Those of us who read the books know this all too well. There's no way I'd let my son watch even the first movie yet, much less the fourth, considering the content. He'd have nightmares for a long time!!!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 5:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
Well that should have been pretty obvious. I mean it got PG-13 in the U.S. It's supposed to be scarier and darker. I would be worried if it didn't get higher ratings.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 5:55 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 352
Inannalia says:
Yeah, that rating IS similar to the US one. I didn't expect it to be that high. It must be a lot darker then I thought.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 5:58 PM EST
Squib
Points: 175
Harry is Welsh says:
I'm actually glad that they put it in a 12A rating. Now, they obviously haven't toned the scary bits down as much as I thought they would.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:00 PM EST
Insufferable Know-it-all
Points: 5042
Happy Hedwig 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.
29 days to go!!!! Wahoooo!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:00 PM EST
Squib
Points: 124
kbowen4456 says:
This seems about right to me, it basically like PG13 in the US. What I wonder is how the ratings are going to progress throughout the making of the remaining films. Each book so far has been a bit darker than the previous, and favorite characters are being killed, though I doubt the ratings will reach R, but I bet the remaining are at least PG13, I don't think we'll see Harry as PG anymore.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:04 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 369
I_love_mormon_girls says:
I guess its a good thing I am 14 then XD.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 517
I <3 Rupert Grint says:
A 12 rating sounds so babyish though i dont know maybe thats just me.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:11 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1218
hermygrangergirl says:
Interesting.. ratings go up every time! Well, it could make it a little more interesting this way, but not suitable, as some people have been saying, for under 13/12, etc.-year olds.
The irony is, however, I personally thought the scariest book by FAR was HP Chamber of Secrets! Weird.. ah well that's me I guess. Probably, the 4th MOVIE will be scarier than the first MOVIE (but in my opinion, never the BOOKs!)
Anyway, enough rambling. I can't wait for GOF! :-)
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:16 PM EST
Boredom's G-Unit
Points: 6616
Hermy's Homeboy says:
That kinda makes sense in a wierd way. The movie is pretty dark and evil and everything.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1492
*PotterPrincess* says:
Oh, well, I'm definitely over twelve and definitely don't like in the UK, so there's nothing to worry about. I know this movie must be much darker, but how dark can it really be. I mean I didn't realize that kids could get scared by a few spells. Maybe it's the very last part, which I'm not going to comment on because some people might have not read the book yet.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:19 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1122
PhoenixPatronus2 says:
I think that the 12A rating is appropriate. Even the books really aren't meant for little kids, although most of the worst of it will go over their heads. This will give parents a chance to decide if their children are mature enough to see this movie. Personally I'll be glad not to have the young kids there. ANyway, can't wait for November 18!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1741
HarryAssistant says:
I don't live in Canada but is 12A like PG-13. Plus, isn't 15 like R. I'm just glad it's rating is the same as the US.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:23 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Well, I kind of figured GOF would get that rating in the UK (after seeing what the US gave it). The fourth book is much darker than the previous three.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
Not a real surprise to me.I knew someday the movies wouldn't be PG anymore because they are getting more darker by the book.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:28 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1110
UnderTaker says:
It's PG13 around my area. I can still watch it, but I don't know about the little kids. I know some with extremely strict parents who will probably take this rating to heart. When they get older, they'll be able to look back on the days where they couldn't do anything and laugh.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1483
DragonTattoo says:
I don't believe in censorship...because it's scarier and darker than others? OH PLEASE, we can't protect children from the harsh REALITY of a scary and dark world forever! best they learn it when they're young...
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
Midnight_Amethyst says:
I'm not surprised at all. I mean...I kind of expected it to be pg-13 anyway. From here on, all the rest will probably be pg-13 as well. Too bad for the younger kids, though. They could always pull their parents along with them however. (the rating won't stop them, though. I doubt it!)
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 680
Quidditch_Chaser_USA says:
Well, that isn't too shocking...I mean we....(the US of A) slaped it with a pg-13 rating...so it's about the same thing. I had a feeling that eventually the Potter movies would become pg-13, but I didn't think it would happen untill Order of the Pheonix...due to the Department of Mysteries scene...ya know?
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:42 PM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
Well younger people will be happy it is lower in London but I could watch it either way.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 558
Padfoot Returns says:
Oh wow I'm not surprised though... of course it was going to be a great hit in the UK.... I still think it deserves a #1 in my vote though!!!
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 6:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1824
Veela_gurl says:
I think it is good. Hopefully parents won't be bringing their kids under 9 to this movie. I don't want to hear six year olds asking what's going on, or trying to explain the movie to their parents. I can't stand when people talk about the movie or anything else during the movie.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 7:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
1USHPFN says:
I think that it is a good rating. Here in the US the PG-13 is similar rating. I think that sometimes we, as parents are glad of a reason to get to see a movie with our kids too.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 7:07 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2559
TonksUSA says:
well I'm glad that the UK and the US are on the same page.
Posted Oct 19, 2005 at 7:15 PM EST
Back to top of page