[mattyb]

OFCOM last year relaxed their ruling on PG rated material being shown uncut on daytime television. Its down to the broadcaster's discretion to whether or not they do. Hence why channels such as Gold, Watch, Sony TV and even Comedy Central (at times) show PG rated programmes uncut.
BBC have been known to show programmes and films with its language in tact during the day depending on its context and how frequent the language is used. They normally keep PG films uncut more so after 7pm.

OFCOM's decision was that mild language such as piss, bastard and shit were more commonly used and seemed by most people no longer offensive, hence the relaxation of the ruling.

'U' rated films at times have mild language in them. Flight of the Navigator and Watership Down are two films that spring to mind.

'PG' rated film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

It can also contain the following content -

Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.

References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Mild bad language only.

Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour.

Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).


The reason why channels such as Dave and Comedy Central are showing random censored programmes is probably down to having copies of those versions before relaxing their own censorship.

I personally believe we should develop a certificate system like the US and Europe where the broadcaster warns you of the programmes content giving the 'sensible' parents the choice to change channel.

There's no excuse for complaints as there's plenty of channels to choose from.

If it offends - Don't watch! Simples

[DVDfever]

Originally Posted by Mikes Mike

However there was an episode which had the word 'dick' edited out, it had a bit of laughter dubbed over it but you could clearly see that David Jason said it as part of the script. When I watched it on the Gold+1 and had subtitles on, the word 'Dick' was on the subtitles that came up. When I bought the DVD boxset and watched that episode - the word dick was still verbally present in the show.

Reminds me of when I saw the premiere of Beverly Hills Cop 3 on BBC1 around 8pm one night. Censored language, but subtitles were uncut.

Originally Posted by mattyb

'U' rated films at times have mild language in them. Flight of the Navigator and Watership Down are two films that spring to mind.

Ta for the detailed post. What is the mild language in those U certs?

Originally Posted by James2001

In fact, the version I've seen on the music channels doesn't even cut out dick and ass, only gun.

What a bunch of complete and utter guns!

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by DVDfever

Ta for the detailed post. What is the mild language in those U certs?

Flight of the Navigator contains the word shit, but said quickly and only once during the film, as does E.T. which again is said quickly and once but this contains other milder language such as Penis breath.

Watership Down, contains 'Bugger Off' which is said once by the injured seagull. This film actually divided the BBFC's decision over what certificate to award it due to its content.

Unsure what other 'U' rated films have mild language. If other peeps can add to the list then please do.

[James2001]

Originally Posted by mattyb

Watership Down, contains 'Bugger Off' which is said once by the injured seagull. This film actually divided the BBFC's decision over what certificate to award it due to its content.

It's actually "piss off". Though considering how violent the film is, i've always wondered how it got a U, even that bit of swearing aside.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by James2001

It's actually "piss off". Though considering how violent the film is, i've always wondered how it got a U, even that bit of swearing aside.

The official consensus from the BBFC is that never should've been given a U. It was an eclectic decision made by the head of the BBFC. If it were to be re-submitted it would like achieve at least a PG, possibly even a 12.

[Kevin1960]

I think the word "shit" is said in E T - The Extra Terrestrial. Rated U by the BBFC.

[Mikes Mike]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

The official consensus from the BBFC is that never should've been given a U. It was an eclectic decision made by the head of the BBFC. If it were to be re-submitted it would like achieve at least a PG, possibly even a 12.

What about poor old Bambi.

[Caxton]

Originally Posted by Mikes Mike

What about poor old Bambi.

Didn't Bambi eventually turn into a venison steak and was given an "X"Cert

[Cobblers74]

The use of words like shit, piss and bastard in U-cert films such as Flight of the Navigator, ET and Watership Down would not happen now, only very mild words like hell and damn are permissible in that category now:

http://www.pbbfc.co.uk/guides_u.asp

Language seems to be the most troublesome aspect of PG-rated material shown during the day on free-to-air TV. And its treatment varies wildly, even between different programmes on the same channel. I watched The Truman Show on Film 4 recently in an afternoon slot, and the sole use of the word shit was removed, but the newish Sony Movie Channel seem to have no problem with the word at any time - heard a few uses of it during Earth Girls Are Easy in a morning slot the other day.

[theonlyweeman]

[quote=Cobblers74;58933017
Language seems to be the most troublesome aspect of PG-rated material shown during the day on free-to-air TV. And its treatment varies wildly, even between different programmes on the same channel. I watched The Truman Show on Film 4 recently in an afternoon slot, and the sole use of the word shit was removed, but the newish Sony Movie Channel seem to have no problem with the word at any time - heard a few uses of it during Earth Girls Are Easy in a morning slot the other day.[/QUOTE]

I think it depends on how accessible the channel is, and whether the film is aimed at/likely to be viewed children or not. Ones a Jim Carrey comedy available to a large percentage of the country via Freeview. I not heard of the other one, but it's only available via sky and freesat, so accessibility is less of an issue.

[Cobblers74]

Oddly enough, Jim Carrey is in the second one too, although that never occurred to me when I posted them as examples!

The point is, though, that the rules don't really differentiate between how accessible a channel is - the only differences are for paid-for movie channels and paid-for adult content. Theoretically, all other channels should be singing off the same hymn sheet, so to speak.

It just depends on the judgement/whim of whoever is dealing with compliance at any given time on that channel.

[davetherave1701]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

Only one film has ever got away with the word 'shit' at a PG, Grease . I heard a BBFC examiner saying it was an eclectic decision and it should've achieved a higher rating, but has been kept at a PG for historical reasons.

Besides, Channel 4 generally only cut 12s. There's been some suggestions that district 9 was cut, but nobody's been able to confirm that and the left 'the c word' uncut so I'd assume it wasn't

Believe it or not back in the day i used to have the 80s two coreys comedy Licence To Drive on vhs PG rated and it had an F word in it.

[Paddy C]

ITV broadcast Big, the Tom Hanks movie, a few years ago and it was the totally uncut version, with the little boy who visits Tom saying to him "Who the f**k do you think you are?!" Was rather amusing to see that broadcast at 5pm on a Saturday. Needless to say, the repeat a few months later had all the swearing removed, not just the F word.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by davetherave1701

Believe it or not back in the day i used to have the 80s two coreys comedy Licence To Drive on vhs PG rated and it had an F word in it.

was that not back when it was either passed as PG or 15? Presumably it would achieve a 12 if resubmitted

[PhilH36]

Originally Posted by DVDfever

Reminds me of when I saw the premiere of Beverly Hills Cop 3 on BBC1 around 8pm one night. Censored language, but subtitles were uncut.

I've seen that happen plenty of times. Also seen more than one occasion where ITV ran a film from 8-10pm, in the first hour swearing or bad language was cut or overdubbed with silence, in the second hour it was left intact. On another occasion they showed Brubaker starting at 10.30pm, again up to 11.00pm swearing was cut/bleeped/overdubed, after 11.00pm it was left intact.

On rare occasions I've seen the broadcasters admit on air that a film was cut, one being the original Beverly Hills Cop on BBC1 which had "Edited for television" added to the opening titles, another being Death Wish on ITV, again shown at 11.00pm with a voiceover on the end credits saying "The version of Death Wish you've just seen was edited for television".

[chopoff]

Originally Posted by DVDfever

Someone mentioned the word 'tw*t' above. That was rated as a PG on a Vic Reeves Big Night Out video, and that word was shouted through a megaphone.

One of the stupidest bits of censorship, on the radio, Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus. As well as scratching out 'dick' and 'ass', it does the same for the word 'gun'. WTF*?

(*F = Fiddle-de-dee)

This'll be because of the US's stance on things. They'll also blank stuff like 'clip', often the sound of gun shots too.

[DVDfever]

Originally Posted by Paddy C

ITV broadcast Big, the Tom Hanks movie, a few years ago and it was the totally uncut version, with the little boy who visits Tom saying to him "Who the f**k do you think you are?!" Was rather amusing to see that broadcast at 5pm on a Saturday. Needless to say, the repeat a few months later had all the swearing removed, not just the F word.

I never knew it was originally a 12 until now. Ta for the info.

[davetherave1701]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

was that not back when it was either passed as PG or 15? Presumably it would achieve a 12 if resubmitted

It was an sell thru vhs off the late 80s i think ...it was certainly a PG but had a warning on the box saying this film may contain language unsuitible for family viewing.

Would certainly be a 12 now

[Cobblers74]

Big was originally a PG with the f-word edited out (although the US release was one of the last PG-rated films there to feature an f-word). This was the same for both UK cinema and video releases. Only the most recent DVD release had the swearing restored, with the rating upped to a 12.

License to Drive is exactly the same - the UK version was edited for a PG rating, only being released uncut as a 12 on DVD more recently. But in this case, the uncut version was released by mistake on some earlier VHS versions - so if you saw or bought this, consider it a rarity!

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by davetherave1701

Believe it or not back in the day i used to have the 80s two coreys comedy Licence To Drive on vhs PG rated and it had an F word in it.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation had one use of an f word and that was given a PG certificate if I remember rightly?

[Cobblers74]

Again, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was edited in the UK, with the f-word removed for a PG rating. Unlike Big and License to Drive, though, it's never been submitted uncut, so all video and DVD releases are the edited version.

Oddly, though, the uncut version has turned up on TV a few times, although more often than not, it goes out pre-watershed and is edited even further....

[Peter the Great]

Originally Posted by Cobblers74

Again, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was edited in the UK, with the f-word removed for a PG rating. Unlike Big and License to Drive, though, it's never been submitted uncut, so all video and DVD releases are the edited version.

Oddly, though, the uncut version has turned up on TV a few times, although more often than not, it goes out pre-watershed and is edited even further....

Well I watched it on Lovefilm instant last Christmas and it had the f word still in it. On the site it still said the film was rated PG.

[Cobblers74]

I'm guessing they don't really have time to check that the masters they're supplied with are the same as the versions classified by the BBFC, and just lazily presume they're the same!

[Darren_Hayward]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

Only one film has ever got away with the word 'shit' at a PG, Grease . I heard a BBFC examiner saying it was an eclectic decision and it should've achieved a higher rating, but has been kept at a PG for historical reasons.

Besides, Channel 4 generally only cut 12s. There's been some suggestions that district 9 was cut, but nobody's been able to confirm that and the left 'the c word' uncut so I'd assume it wasn't

The first two Roger Moore James Bond films Live And Let Die and The Man With The Golden Gun each had one word of swearing in the form of lines containing the words Shit and Bloody in both cases only one word the flying student saying Holy Shit in Live And Let Die and Mary Goodnight saying to Bond Yes you bloody well would in The Man With The Golden Gun and Goodnight was a major part and BOTH films are PG on DVD to any fellow DS members who have seen those two Bond films on ITV lately have the two words been cut in recent ITV screenings

[Paddy C]

There's no way ITV would let 'shit' go out during the day especially in a Bond film so I can safely say it has been edited, but the 'bloody' may have survived, it isn't considered that rude a word these days is it?

ITV did however broadcast Dumb & Dumber in the late 90's at teatime (the premiere of it too, if memory serves) and they left in the 'bullshit' joke and the diner scene where they are called 'a couple of pussys', but all other swearing was cut.