Latest news with #BritishBoardOfFilmClassification
Screen Geek
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Classic 'Star Wars' Movie Receives New Rating
The Star Wars franchise has a long history, going back to the 1977 release of the original film first titled Star Wars and later retitled A New Hope . While Disney now operates this franchise, it was originally still under the control of creator George Lucas for quite some time, and he was able to create a trilogy of prequels including The Phantom Menace , Attack of the Clones , and Revenge of the Sith . Now one of these Star Wars films has received a new rating in the UK several decades after its initial release. As shared via The Telegraph, the British Board of Film Classification issued the rating when revisiting this aforementioned Star Wars film alongside various other cinematic classics. Interestingly, this Star Wars movie was previously rated U – which stands for 'Universal' – and brought up to a PG. For those unfamiliar, a U is much like a G rating in the United States. With changing times, however, the British Board of Film Classification deemed it necessary to change the UK rating of this Star Wars film released in 1999 – The Phantom Menace . It seems that this decision was made as a result of the film's final lightsaber fight. It's often considered one of the strongest sequences not only in the film, or the prequel trilogy, but the saga as a whole. The sequence has young Obi-Wan and his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn, battling Darth Maul. It's an impressive fight scene and one that really upped the ante following the original trilogy. The sequence ultimately ends with Obi-Wan slicing Darth Maul in half after his master is killed in battle, and while it isn't particularly gory, it's violent enough that the rating of the entire film has gone up. As mentioned, The Phantom Menace is far from the only title to receive a new classification by the British Board of Film Classification. It is interesting, however, to see one of the least serious Star Wars films receive a slightly heavier rating almost three decades since its initial release. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding the Star Wars franchise as we have them. While the 'Skywalker Saga' that The Phantom Menace opens has come to an end, it's clear that the brand is far from over with many new films and shows currently in the works.
The Independent
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Star Wars movie reclassified due to this classic scene
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace has been reclassified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) from a universal (U) rating to parental guidance (PG). The change was made due to "moderate violence" in a lightsaber fight, starship dogfights, and laser weapons, including a scene with brief "bloody detail". The reclassification was revealed in the BBFC's 2024 annual report and applied to the film 's cinema re-release last year. Other films also saw rating changes, with A Star Is Born moving from U to 12 due to implied suicide, and US TV comedy series Fraser from PG to 12 for language and drug references. These updates coincide with the BBFC classifying the highest number of films in its 112-year history in 2023, following new guidelines on sex scenes, violence, and drug misuse.
The Independent
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The unlikely film named as 2024's most complained about after rating change
Mary Poppins was the most complained about film of 2024, receiving 56 objections after its rating was changed. The 1964 musical's classification was updated from a U to a PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The rating change was prompted by the use of the word 'hottentots' twice by the character Admiral Boom. The BBFC justified the PG rating by stating the discriminatory term was neither criticised nor condemned, posing a risk for young viewers. Other films like The Abyss, Dune: Part Two, and Saltburn also received complaints regarding their classifications in 2024.
