Councils

[flashpig]

I believe, although I may be wrong, that councils have the right to ignore the rating given by the BBFC. They can ban a certain film for example. Crash or The Life of Brian spring to mind.

Could they do it the other way around?

Could a council re-rate and show a poignant but 15 rated documentary as a 12a?

P.S. Is the council's right to judge the rating the reason why film classifications appear on posters as just plain numbers ather than the BBFC circle/triangle with the classification in it, or is it that the classification is finalised after the time the posters are printed?

[Loosehead]

Councils can ban a film if they want, they cannot affect the classification. The BBFC have sole control in that area.

[Mattk]

i seem to recall that when Spiderman was released it eventually led to 12 being changed to 12A but before this happened there was an outcry in one town where many parents complained that their children couldnt see this 'kids' movie so this particular council did indeed overturn the rating.

[smorodina]

Councils can award their own certificate for a film that has been refused one. The original 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' was refused a certificate, but was shown in London under a local one. There are a few cases of other films only shown by certain councils.