BBFC Podcast

Comedian Henning Wehn discusses poll results and new BBFC ratings' feature in an exclusive podcast takeover episode.

In this episode, our BBFC Youth Panel chat about scary movie moments that frightened them the most when they were young. From Toy Story 3 to Coraline, find out what family films from the noughties kept Gen Z up at night.

In this episode, we speak to Col Needham, the CEO of IMDb, about the origins and evolution of the much-loved Internet Movie Database website, most commonly known as IMDb.

In this episode, we talk about the shifting tone of superhero films and shine a light on the darker side of the Marvel, Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel and DC Comics universes. We'll be discussing recent releases such as The Batman, Morbius and Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness and how we classified them. Please be advised that this episode may contain spoilers.

In this episode, our Compliance Managers alongside special guest Lord Kamlesh Patel, BBFC Vice President, take a deep dive into our latest research findings on racism and discrimination, and talk about the tangible changes we are taking when it comes to classifying these issues in both older and modern content.

In this episode, we speak to director Prano Bailey-Bond about her debut feature film Censor, its inspiration & the 'video nasties' era. Listeners can find out insider knowledge about Prano and her co-writer Anthony Fletcher's research visits to the BBFC, the film's classification and the horror directors that inspired her.

In this episode, we celebrate the return of cinema in England, Scotland & Wales and discuss all the latest family-friendly releases that are coming to the big screen including Cruella, Peter Rabbit 2, Godzilla Vs. Kong and Nomadland.

This International Women's Day we're celebrating all the talented and wonderful women who work at the BBFC. In this podcast, you can learn more about the inner workings of the BBFC and hear all about how women keep the wheels turning - in Compliance, Education, Finance and Communications - we talk to women from all corners of our business.

In the last episode of 2020, we're joined by our Chief Executive David Austin and our Senior Policy Officer Matt as we take a look back on a year of film. We talk about some of the biggest releases, streaming platforms and the impact of COVID on the industry.

As part of our Indian cinema and Bollywood takeover week, we've invited the BBC’s Ashanti Omkar FRSA to talk to us all about films that families can watch this Diwali. In the podcast, you can hear about the classification of films such as Panga, Taare Zammen Par and Kaaka Muttai at the U and PG category and find out about how the BBFC rates Hindi and Tamil language films in the UK.

Halloween might look a little different for most of us this year - so we're here to help you throw a spook-tacular movie night to celebrate! Our latest podcast is all about horror... at the PG category. We delve into classics, like The Witches, that have been frightening children for decades, as well as recent films like Scoob! and the latest telling of Pinocchio.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, this podcast is all about how we classify WWII films. We talk in detail about films such as Saving Private Ryan & Dunkirk and tell you all about how you can use films to explore the impact of the war with your family.

What do Trolls World Tour, Bloodshot and The Invisible Man have in common? They’ve all been released to streaming services early so that you can watch them from the comfort of your own home during lockdown. Want to know more? Listen to this podcast, which takes you through some of these releases and gives you all of the classification knowledge you need, so you can sit and watch them either by yourself or with your family.

To mark our 100th podcast, we have teamed up with film critic, journalist and host of BBC’s Kermode and Mayo's Film Review, Mark Kermode, for a very special episode. So sit back and enjoy an open discussion between Mark and the BBFC’s Head of Compliance, Craig Lapper - as they delve into Mark’s relationship with film classification and discuss how the BBFC has changed over the years. The two also discuss the classification decisions for recent film releases such as Jojo Rabbit (2019) and 1917 (2019), alongside historic decisions of Mark’s favourite horror films including The Exorcist (1973) and The Last House on the Left (1972).

Teachers, are you looking forward to your last week of term? Together with our friends at Into Film, we've produced a podcast and some lesson plans with some ideas about how you can watch the beloved festive tale A Christmas Carol with your class. Whether you're a fan of Scrooge (1951), the Muppet's Christmas Carol (1992), or Jim Carey's A Christmas Carol (2009) we talk about the classification and history of each film, and give you some discussion points and lesson ideas. http://www.cbbfc.co.uk/grown-ups/christmas-carol-worksheets

“The 18 replaced the X in 1982, which in turn absorbed the H which stood for ‘horrific’ in 1951.” In the last episode of our mini series, we look at the history of the 18 category and its key classification issues. From ‘H’ films being restricted during WW2 to the 18 as it is today.

“More films are rated 15 today than at any other category.” In 1982 15 replaced the AA category and the category system as we know it today was created. What was different about the AA and why did it change? In the 15 podcast, we discuss exactly this and compare older 15s such as Poltergeist (1982) with more recent releases such as Hereditary (2018).

“The 12 was introduced, on film only, in 1989 to cover the large gulf between PG and 15.” Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985) and Ghostbusters (1984) all have something in common, and it isn’t that they all start with G. All of these films were rated 12 or 12A. In this podcast, we discuss both categories and the wide range of audience they capture discussing classification issues such as discrimination, humour and threat.

Introduced in 1982, the PG replaced the old A classification that had existed since 1913.” In this episode, join us as we discuss the PG category. Find out why it was established and how best parents and families can navigate PG films. We also talk about a wide array of classification issues, from violence in films such as Horrible Histories (2019) to threat in Goosebumps (2015) and Lion (2016).

“The U category is the only classification to survive from the inception of the BBFC to now.” In the first of our mini series, we discuss the U category, how it has changed over the years and how we address historically classified U films such as Watership Down (1978) and Disney classics such as The Lion King (1994).

'I'll have what she's having' Rom Coms have given us some of the most memorable lines in cinematic history over the years. Whats your favourite? This podcast, we discuss some of the greats - When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill and It Happened One Night - and give you some insight into the classifications of each film.

With exam season upon us, we have released a podcast to support students, teachers and parents in the lead up to this years media studies exams.

Wonder Woman. Hermione Granger. Moana. Elsa and Ana. Katnis. Gwen Stacy. What do all these wonderful women have in common? They all feature in our #InternationalWomensDay podcast celebrating women in film! Billie is joined by our Head of Education, Lucy, and compliance officer Ben talking about the best female led films to watch with your kids.

How does classification fit in to the ever changing way in which we consume content? We discussed this, and a number of other topics, with industry experts at the launch of our Classification Guidelines. You can listen to the whole discussion here.

In this episode Billie speaks to Ed, our Operations Manager and Preet a member of our compliance team about all things Oscars. The team discuss the 2019 nominations, as well as nominations of the past.

In this episode Billie is joined by Sarah and Ben from the BBFC compliance team to talk through a bumper pack of Christmas favourites, that are great to watch over the festive period. As well as making some special recommendations of their own.

In this episode we speak to Keith Lodwick the curator of Censored! Stage, Screen, Society at 50 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, a display which the BBFC contributed to in 2018. The podcast covers some of the iconic films highlighted in the exhibition, the BBFC archive and much more.

In this episode we discuss the classification of John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic, Halloween. As well as comparing the original to the classification of the newest Halloween directed by David Gordon Green, released in 2018. And as a treat (rather than a trick!), Billie also asks her guest what he will be watching this Halloween. Sound effects courtesy of Mike Koenig, Timothy and Saraspella www.soundbible.com

In this episode we look at how films are re-rated when they're sent in to the BBFC for a second time. We also speak about Heathers the 1988 Michael Lehmann film.

This episode is the first of our new BBFC Education Specials. Billie is joined by Lucy Brett, BBFC Head of Education and Matt Lane CEO and Artistic Director of Eastside Educational Trust. Eastside is a highly acclaimed arts education charity and one of London's leading youth arts provider. We are delighted to have supported Eastside as part of our charitable donations policy.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we talk about Bollywood movies, in Particular Baahubali 2 and Sholay.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we discuss Wonder Woman & Avengers Infinity War.

In this episode we discuss two 15 rated coming of age films, Boyhood (2014) and Lady Bird (2017)

In this episode we discuss age rating sex references at the 15 category in episodes of She's Gotta Have It (2017-present) and Girls (2012-2017)

In this episode of our podcast we discuss threat at the lower classification level referencing adventure feature films BFG (2016) and Paddington (2014), both classified at PG.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we compare the classification of violence at the higher categories of 15 and 18 in both the US fantasy series' Preacher (2017-present) and Supernatural (2005-present).

In this episode we talk about the classification of the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spin-off series Angel.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we talk about Get Out and It Follows.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we speak about depictions of drugs in Breaking Bad and other TV shows.

In this episode of the BBFC podcast we look at spike Lee's do the Right thing.

In this episode we discuss classifying difficult themes in films, in particular the theme of school shootings, as explored in the film We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011).

In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams.

In this episode we're joined by the BBFC's Head of Education to discuss classifying films that contain parenting, childhood and responsibility themes, focusing on To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)(PG) and Wild Bill (2012)(15).

In this episode we discuss age rating Doctor Who and in particular why some episodes are rated PG while others are more suitable at the 12 rating.

WARNING: This podcast contains spoilers and some graphic language. In this episode we discuss age rating episodes of the TV and DVD/Blu-ray series Game of Thrones, focusing on scenes of violence in three different episodes.

In this episode, BBFC Head of Education Lucy Brett, talks about age rating films containing jump moments, including The Babadook (15), The Woman In Black (12A) and Goosebumps (PG).

In this episode we're joined by BBFC Chief Executive David Austin to discuss age rating Suicide Squad plus some other recent Marvel and DC Comics films.

In this podcast we continue our discussion about age ratings for classic animated films and their remakes. Part 2 focuses on Pete's Dragon (1977) its 2016 remake, plus Sleeping Beauty (1959) and the the 2014 film spin-off film Maleficent in which an unhappy fairy puts a curse on the baby daughter of a human king who stole her wings.

In this podcast we discuss age ratings for some classic animated films and their remakes, with part 1 focusing on Disney's 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman.

We discuss the classification of animated films, in particular Finding Dory, Moana, Zootropolis and Kubo and the Two Strings, all of which were nominated for Best Animated Film at the BAFTA Awards 2017.

In this episode we discuss the classification issues in a number of films in the Star Wars franchise, including: Star Wars (1977); Star Wars: Episode II Attack of The Clones (2001); and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).