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Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Why was Mary Poppins the most complained about film from last year?
Disney classic Mary Poppins has become one of the most controversial films of 2024 due to its use of 'discriminatory wording'. The 1964 musical stars Julie Andrews as Mary alongside Dick Van Dyke as Bert, the chimney sweep. The childhood favourite was previously rated U (Universal) by the British Board of Film Classification but has since been reclassified as PG (Parental Guidance), now rejecting the idea that it is suitable for all audiences. Disney classic Mary Poppins has become one of the most controversial films of 2024 due to its use of discriminatory wording. Pic:The BBFC Annual Report and Accounts 2024 revealed that the reclassification was a point of anger for many with 56 complaints issued to them in 2024. The BBFC explained that the movie was re-classified ahead of a cinema re-release in 2024 for the film's 60th anniversary. 'In line with our current guidelines, the film exceeds the U category for language with use of the discriminatory term 'hottentots,'' they stated. The 1964 musical stars Julie Andrews as Mary alongside Dick Van Dyke as Bert, the chimney sweep. Pic: Disney The word is a derogatory term for an indigenous group of people from southern Africa, also known as the Khoikhoi. There are two uses of the word in Mary Poppins, one of which sees Admiral Boom (played by Reginald Owen) using the term to describe the chimney sweeps. The BBFC explained: 'While the film has historical contest, the two uses of the discriminatory term are neither criticised or condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Ten complaints were sent to the organisation about Barry Keoghan's Saltburn. Pic: Amazon Prime Video The report added that regular research confirms that a 'key concern' for parents is the possibility for children to be exposed to discriminatory language or behaviour. Mary Poppins was the most complained about with a total of 224 complaints regarding BBFC classifications in 2024. Ten complaints were sent to the organisation about Barry Keoghan's Saltburn. The movie is rated 15 with complaints coming in noting that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was 'too disturbing' for 15. BBFC responded: 'Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our strandards at a 15 classification.'
Euronews
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
2024 was a great year for cinema, and several films that made our year featured some NSFW content. Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy. Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024. It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink... In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024. According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn. So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed? It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot. Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people. Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient. Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here. And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved Disney family musical is the most complained about film of the year - but can YOU guess why?
A beloved Oscar-winning Disney musical has been revealed as the most complained about film of the year. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) was forced to change the family film's rating from a U to a PG after people complained over 'discriminatory language'. Despite being released in 1964, the long-time children's classic Mary Poppins has only recently come under fire with the BBFC new classification now warning that children should only watch it if accompanied by a parent. The film is set in London in 1910 and follows a magical nanny, played by Dame Julie Andrews, who takes care of the Banks family's children with the help of Bert, a busking chimney-sweep played by Dick Van Dyke. It won five Oscars in 1965, including best actress and best song, and has been a British staple since it's release. However, according to a report due to be released today, it was the subject of 56 of the 224 complaints made during 2024. Viewers grievances centred around the use of the word 'hottentots' - a racially discriminatory term historically used by white Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa. In the film, the Banks family's Naval veteran neighbour Admiral Boom, played by Reginald Owen, who still thinks he is in charge of a ship, uses the term twice. On the first occasion, he is seen dangling from the roof in a boat where he asks one of the Banks children if they are 'going to fight the Hottentots'. Later in the film when the chimney sweeps, whose faces are blackened from soot, dance on the roof the admiral exclaims 'we're being attacked by Hottentots', before aiming fireworks at them. A U rating, which is given to movies deemed suitable for anyone over the age of four, was given to Mary Poppins when it was initially graded in 1964. The people complaining to the BBFC had wanted the rating to remain unchanged, as the term was outdated and also appeared in other films. But David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Mary Poppins managed to receive more complaints last year than some of the most controversial film releases. Its use of the outdated term hottentots 60 years ago sparked more backlash than the nudity in The Brutalist, raunchy sex scenes in Saltburn, drug abuse in Anora and the extreme gore depicted in The Substance. Even the second most complained about film wasn't a new release, but instead the 1989 Oscar-winning sci-fi thriller The Abyss. It received 17 complaints following online rumours that it had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid. Mr Austin clarified that when the film was first submitted in 1989, the BBFC determined the scene contravened the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 because it inflicted terror on an animal. The scene has been re-edited in all versions classified since. Mr Austin explained the position had not changed. Dune: Part Two, starring Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler, was the subject of 13 complaints from viewers who felt its 12A classification was too low, citing scenes with knife violence. Mr Austin said: 'The use of knives in takes place in a science-fiction context as opposed to a realistic contemporary setting. It includes fantastical weaponry and armour rather than recognisable real-world weaponry that children may have access to.' Emerald Fennell's dark comedy Saltburn, starring Barry Keoghan, got 10 complaints after being rated a 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Mr Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' Other family films were also subjected to scrutiny, including the 2024 animated movie Migration about a family of ducks who leave New England on an adventurous trip to Jamaica. Migration, which is rated U, received six complaints to the BBFC from people who felt scenes of a knife-wielding chef, nets, storms and predatory herons were too much for young children.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Watch live: What's next for Wanamaker Organ at the former Philadelphia Macy's store?
It's Christmas in July, and what better place to celebrate it than the Wanamaker Building, home of Philadelphia's best-known holiday events? At 10 a.m., several local officials are gathering at the building on Market Street for "a special announcement about the future of some of Philadelphia's most beloved holiday traditions." CBS News Philadelphia will livestream this announcement. You can watch in the player above or anywhere else CBS News Philadelphia is streaming. The heads of the Philadelphia Visitor Center and Opera Philadelphia will be there, as will the Executive Director of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ and Councilmember Mark Squilla. The organ and Grand Court, which features a one-ton bronze statue of a perched eagle, are designated National Historic Landmarks and are also on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places — they are required to be preserved. The building is well known for its Christmas Light Show narrated by Julie Andrews, and the Dickens Village walk-through display that Macy's had acquired from Strawbridge's. TF Cornerstone, a New York-based developer, previously announced plans to build 600 loft-style apartments above the retail space in the Wanamaker Building. Once the home of Wanamaker's department store, the retail area was most recently occupied by Macy's before the company announced in January 2025 that it would be closing the store. The Philadelphia Visitor Center and Friends of the Wanamaker Organ have been collecting donations in order to install, operate and staff the light show and Dickens Village for the 2025 holiday season. You can watch live in the player above.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anne Hathaway's 2025 net worth: How she's still ruling Hollywood -Check out
1 2 Anne Hathaway isn't going anywhere. In 2025, she's sitting on a net worth of around 80 million, and that's no surprise, considering how she's been part of Hollywood's fabric for over 20 years. She didn't start out with blockbuster roles. In fact, one of her early gigs was on a short-lived TV show called 'Get Real'. But then came 'The Princess Diaries', and everything changed. Starring opposite Julie Andrews , she instantly became a household name. That role turned her into a star, and she's managed to stay at the top ever since. She's Done It All and Done It Well Anne Hathaway isn't the type to be boxed into one genre. She's done teen comedies, musicals, intense dramas, you name it. Films like Rachel Getting Married and Les Misérables showed just how deep her range runs. That latter role even earned her an Oscar. But let's not forget her in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. That performance is still talked about, and rightly so. It proved she could carry big commercial films while holding her own alongside industry heavyweights. As reported by Parade website, her movies have made over 6.8 billion worldwide. That kind of number doesn't just happen. It means people trust her. Studios do. Audiences do. She shows up and delivers, whether it's a small indie film or a big studio project. Still at the top of her game Even if she's not a billionaire, 80 million is no small feat. And it's not just from acting. On average, she earns about 12 million a year. Her per-film rate can go anywhere from 5 million to 15 million. On top of that, she's a favorite with luxury brands, which only boosts her income. What makes her stand out even more is her consistency. She doesn't chase trends. She's built a career on substance. She picks roles that challenge her, and that keeps audiences coming back. Anne may have started off playing a reluctant royal, but her real-life success story is just as magical, minus the tiara. Anne Hathaway is Vogue's cover girl
