Why classic musical was the most complained about film last year
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.
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The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Why classic musical was the most complained about film last year
Mary Poppins was the most complained about film of 2024, receiving 56 objections to its rating change. 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.
Metro
4 days ago
- Metro
Mary Poppins is the most complained about film of 2024 over controversial slur
Mary Poppins has been named the most complained about film of 2024 following its use of discriminatory language. In rather surprising news, given the Disney family film's release in 1964, it still managed to attract ire and comment 60 years later. The popular musical starring screen legends Dame Julie Andrews as Mary and Dick Van Dyke as chimney sweep Bert respectively, has long been a childhood favourite and rated U (Universal) by the the British Board of Film Classification. Decades later, it was followed up by 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer – as well as a delightful cameo return from Van Dyke. However, last year the organisation adjusted the rating of the original Mary Poppins, reclassifying it as a PG (Parental Guidance) and moving one step away from the suggestion that it was suitable for all audiences. It is this decision which sparked backlash, with the BBFC revealing in its annual report that of the 224 complaints it received in 2024, 56 of them were about Mary Poppins' reclassification. The BBFC had adjusted the movie's rating due to the use of the term 'Hottentots', which it classified as discriminatory language. Admiral Boom, portrayed by Reginald Owen, uses the word twice throughout the film, which was a Dutch racially loaded term, originally used in the 17th century by white Europeans to describe the Khoikhoi, a nomadic indigenous population of South Africa. Thought to be one of the oldest people in the world, the Khoikhoi were driven off their land by white colonial expansion. As the Dutch took over land for farms, the Khoikhoi were dispossessed, killed, or enslaved. Those who chose to remain ended up as farm labourers for the invading settlers. At one stage, Admiral Boom dangles from the roof in a boat and asks if one of the Banks children is off to 'fight' them. Later in the film, he also uses the term to describe the chimney sweeps, with their faces blackened by soot, and says they're being 'attacked' by them. The BBFC report, which also shared that Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is now a PG, also revealed that the complaints were requesting the classification remain unchanged because, although offensive, it is now considered outdated and the same term has also appeared in other films. However, the report argued: '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.' It added: 'Regular research tells us that a key concern for parents is the potential for children to be exposed to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.' Others hit back at the decision when Mary Poppins' new classification became public knowledge in February 2024, calling it 'plain ridiculous' and 'strange'. Defending its decision at the time, a BBFC spokesperson told Metro: 'While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language. 'For context, we only review (and potentially reclassify) previously classified content when it's been formally resubmitted to us.' Elsewhere, James Cameron's sci-fi thriller The Abyss received the second largest number of complaints, at 17, following a rumour that a new 4K cinema release had been cancelled owing to concerns over a scene in which a live rat is submerged in liquid. More Trending The BBFC clarified that it had had concerns when the film was originally submitted in 1989 that the scene constituted the 'cruel infliction of terror' on an animal and therefore contravened the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. It confirmed the organisation's stance had not changed and that the scene had been re-edited in all versions of the film classified by the BBFC since then. Other films' ratings which drew formal complaints included that of Dune: Part Two due to its knife fight between Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler's characters, and Saltburn, with people arguing its 'depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for [a rating of] 15′. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Iconic star, 99, sparks concern after dropping out of event due to illness
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Legendary Star Wars film reclassified 26 years on from release after 'bloody and violent' fight scene that slipped through the net - but who's in the wrong?
A Star Wars film has been reclassified from U to PG owing to a fight scene featuring 'moderate violence'. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) labelled The Phantom Menace PG for its cinema re-release because of dogfights, laser weapons and a lightsaber battle which includes brief but 'bloody detail'. The fight also shows a 'non-graphic' shot of a villain's dismembered body, The Telegraph reported. The film first hit screens in 1999, and its reclassification was revealed in the BBFC's annual report for last year. 'PG' stands for parental guidance, and means the film should not unsettle a child aged eight or above, although some scenes may unsettle more sensitive children. And U, or universal, means the film is suitable for all watchers and is not liable to cause upset. Other cult classics also saw classification changes. Fight Club - a 1999 action film starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton - saw its classification lower from 18 to 15 because of updated guidelines. Similarly, action film The Crow, from 1994, was also lowered from an 18 to a 15. But 1937's iteration of A Star Is Born went up from U to 12. It was deemed unsuitable for children under 12 because of the implication of suicide which was described as 'visually discreet'. It follows a spate of reclassifications of some of the most well-known films in recent times. With its blood, murder and school prom rampage, Carrie was instantly labelled 'X' certificate in 1976. But last year classifiers dropped the age rating for the movie from 18 to 15. The BBFC said it had relaxed the grading for the Sissy Spacek movie to reflect modern 'audience expectations'. As well as the violence, Carrie – directed by Brian De Palma – includes full frontal nudity and a depiction of oral sex. It also depicts Carrie killing her mother using telekinesis to propel blades into her body. The film was originally given an X rating when it was released, which is broadly the equivalent of an 18 today. It has also been rated 18 for home entertainment since 1987. The BBFC said that while the prom rampage features many deaths, 'the violence is neither prolonged nor sadistic and therefore is acceptable at 15 under our current guidelines'. Also last year, Mary Poppins had its age rating lifted from U to PG because it contains 'discriminatory language' - but the word in question is so obscure as to have evaded detection. The BBFC now considers the 1964 tale of Julie Andrews's magical nanny to be not suitable for children to watch alone, despite the film enchanting generations of youngsters. The reclassification is due to the use of the word Hottentots. The dated term was historically used by Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa, but is now regarded as racially offensive. Admiral Boom, played by Reginald Owen, who believes he is a naval commander in charge of a ship, uses the word twice in the film. 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'. He then aims fireworks at them. According to the BBFC's guidelines on PG content, 'some scenes may be unsuitable for young children'. They add that while children of any age can watch, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset 'younger, or more sensitive, children'. The BBFC looked at historical context – the film is set in early 20th century London – but the fact the language is not condemned means it now exceeds guidelines for a U film. The BBFC said: 'We understand from our racism and discrimination research... that a key concern for... parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.'
