Film Rating Relaxed

The decision last month by four local authorities to challenge the British Board of Film Classification 12 rating for Spider-Man has, it seems, sped up plans by the BBFC to relax the 12 certificate, making it 'advisory-only'. Although there's no clear date for when the new rules would apply, it seems almost certain that the 12 certificate will be changed to allow children in when accompanied by 'responsible adults'. (There's no news as yet on how that degree of 'responsibility' will be determined - will parental snickering at the usherettes mean a failure to get in?) In addition, film distributors and cinemas will have to make it clear why a film has received the 12 rating in the first place. The move follows a nationwide study by the BBFC in which more than 70% of adults were found to be in favour of a relaxation of the category.