The BBFC was established in 1912 to classify films and ensure they were suitable for public exhibition. In the 1950s, the "X" category was created for films only suitable for those over 16 due to sexual content. Challenges in the 1960s argued the BBFC should not prevent films critical of authority from being shown to adults. The age limit for X rated films was raised to 18 in the 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, the BBFC adapted its guidelines for new technologies like video and video games. By the 2000s, the BBFC conducted extensive research on public views and updated its classification guidelines accordingly.

1. BBFC

2. The BBFC was established in 1912, this was set up in order to make
judgements in order for it to be accepted nationally. To start with the
board had to earn trust from local authorities and parliament. The film
industry are not supposed to be an influence the decisions and must
not have pressure groups. The Statutory will have more of a decision
when it comes to appeals or authority, banning films or passing them
also putting the age limit on viewing of films rather than the board.

3. 1950’s
There was a growth in television ownership (adult/family cinema
audience.
The “X” Category was created to stop children under the age of 16 to
not be able to view films which have sexual encounters.
X - incorporated old ‘H’ and limited audience to those over 16 years

4. 1960’s
Challenges to the Obscene Publications Act (1959), “The British Board of Film
Censors cannot assume responsibility for the guardianship of public morality. It
cannot refuse for exhibition to adults films that show behaviour that contravenes
the accepted moral code, and it does not demand that „the wicked‟ should also
be punished. It cannot legitimately refuse to pass films which criticise „the
Establishment‟ and films which express minority opinions”. There are films that
had to be passed as “X” which was suitable for those aged 16 or older.

5. 1970’s
In the 1970‟s the idea was that this would protect adolescents from
material of a specifically adult nature and would permit more adult films to
be passed uncut for an older, more mature audience. It recognised the
earlier maturity of many teenagers by giving them access to certain films
at the age of 14, without being accompanied by an adult. It also indicated
to parents the difference between films wholly suitable for children of all
ages, which would continue to be classified „U‟, and those which, while not
generally unsuitable, might contain some material which some parents
might prefer their children not to see. The age limit on X certificate was
raised from 16 to 18. The advisory U (suitable for children) and A (Those
aged 5 and older admitted, but not recommended for children under 14
years of age and AA Suitable for those aged 14 and older.

6. 1980’S
The film achieved notoriety in the USA and arrived in the UK with the
reputation of being „the most controversial film of the eighties‟. It was
seized by Customs and Excise officials when it came into the UK and
then seen by the BBFC together with lawyers and Customs officials
so that any footage that was in danger of breaching UK laws could
be removed. At this stage all sexually explicit material was
removed in order to conform with Customs regulations (specifically
the Customs Act 1876), and further cuts made to material which was
potentially actionable under the Obscene Publications Act - the later
including sexually violent material.

7. 1990’S
Parliament supported an amendment to the Video Recordings Act,
contained in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which requires
the Board to consider specific issues, and the potential for harm, when
making video classification decisions. The 1990s also saw rapid
developments in the world of computer games, which seemed to become
more realistic and sophisticated with each passing year. Although the
majority of video games were automatically exempt from classification,
those that featured realistic violence against humans or animals, or human
sexual activity, did come under the scope of the Video Recordings Act. From
1994 the BBFC started to receive some of the stronger video games for
formal classification, which necessitated a different way of examining
(because it was impossible to see everything that might happen in a game).
Standards continued to evolve, with due consideration of recent relevant
research, shifts in public attitudes, and the developments in comparable
media such as terrestrial, satellite and cable television and the internet. In
1999, the Board re-examined the issues, in particular the perceived harm
that under-age viewing might cause. It was decided that in view of changing
public attitudes and the increased media sophistication of young viewers,
the video was unlikely to prove harmful to the majority of the likely audience
and it was accordingly classified „18‟ uncut.

8. 2000’S
The BBFC published a new set of Guidelines based on an even more
extensive research programme than the one which resulted in the 2000
Guidelines. Over 11,000 people contributed their views on the BBFC‟s
Guidelines, 7000 more than in 1999/2000. Public support for the BBFC
went up from 59% in 2000 to 63% in 2004. The outcomes of the research.
The BBFC‟s Guidelines do not distinguish between films on the basis of
their language or country of origin. However, given that the film was in the
English language and had been made by a well known British film-maker, it
achieved a wider release and attracted more attention than previous
explicit films. While the BBFC has been producing Consumer Advice for
films which appeared on the website, it was the introduction of the „12A‟
category which saw it making its appearance on film posters, TV
advertisements and in cinema listings for „12A‟ films. This is particularly
helpful for parents deciding what films are suitable for their children, and in
particular whether to take children younger than 12 to a „12A‟ film. Use of
bad language on screen provoked a range of responses, reflecting varying
tolerances in the general public. Portrayal of sexual activity, however
caused less concern than previously.