Controversial film - A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Written by Anthony Burgess in 1962 and later produced by Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange is about a young boy (Alex De Large) whose only interests include classical music in the form of Beethoven, rape and ultra-violence. Alex leads a small gang with whom he carries our his interests but later is captured and is attempted to be rehabilitated via psychological conditioning. The film was very explicit showing very extreme violence and sexually violent scenes, it was given a 'cult' film status. 

The British Authorities and the Media found the film to be despicable for many reasons. The authorities claimed it inspired true 'copycat' crimes which means people copy the violence that was shown in the film. This is illustrated in a case in 1972 where the defendant (a fourteen year old boy) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a classmate after telling the police friends had told him of the film and 'the beating up of an old boy like this one'. The press had also blamed the film for a rape in which the attackers sang 'Singin' In The Rain'. However this film was a hit in the USA.

The film was rated an 18 after Kubrick's death when the film was re-released, so this meant despite the extreme violence and rape it was suitable for public viewing for those aged 18 or over. 

Our film 'During the Riots' is completely different from this controversial film because we have no actual violence or disturbing scenes which might spark controversy. Although our film is based on the disruption and violence of the 2011 riots over England we focus more on the political message of our film and everything in the film is suitable to watch which is why we rated it 12A. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Clockwork_Orange_(film) 

BBFC regulations.

Universal

• Suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Parental giudance

•  A ‘PG’ 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.

 

• The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

• The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12.

• No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

• No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• To be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied in only licensed adult film shops to adults only over aged 18.

The British Board of Film Classification regulations are overall quite appropriate, however I personally think the 12A rating of films if unnecessary and should be banned. This is because there should be a clear regulation of films. If a film requires a 12 year old to be accompanied by an adult this surely means that the content of the film is not suitable for a 12 year old. What difference would it make if a parent was there? A 12 year old would still see and hear things they're not meant to. An article from The Daily Mail argue many films that are rated 12A are 'full of swearing'. For example, The Ghost Town starring Ricky Gervais is a film rated 12A and features uses of two different swear words many times. The film Drillbit Taylor features swearwords more than 8 times. The BBFC argue the use of strong language in a film rated 12A is fine as long as it is 'infrequent' however the Daily Mail gives many examples of films that have swearwords used frequently. Below is the article from the Daily Mirror.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/3463215/Films-rated-12A-are-full-of-swearing.html 




Source - http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

            http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/3463215/Films-rated-12A-are-full-of-swearing.html