Mary Poppins changes age rating to PG due to ‘discriminatory language’
Mary Poppins has raised its age rating from U to PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), six decades after it was released.
The movie is being re-released in some cinemas next month to celebrate the film’s 60th anniversary, prompting BBFC to upgrade its classification for the first time since 1964.
The age rating U signifies “no material likely to offend or harm”, meaning a movie is suitable for audiences aged four years and over, according to the BBFC.
A Parental Guidance (PG) rating means some scenes may be unsuitable for young children, though unaccompanied children of any age may watch.
The movies rating has been upgraded due to “discriminatory language” used when describing the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa, according to the MailOnline.
“We understand from our racism and discrimination research … that a key concern for … parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence,” a BBFC spokesperson told the Mail.
“Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.”
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
(Disney/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
In the movie, Reginald Owen’s Admiral Boom uses the racially insensitive word “Hottentots” on two separate occasions, including using it to describe chimney sweeps, whose faces are blackened with soot.
The slur was adopted by Dutch settlers in South Africa, thought to imitate their language. It was later used to refer to all black people.
The reclassification in age rating will only affect the cinema version of the film, with home entertainment versions still rated U.
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In the first instance Admiral Boom uses the term, he asks one of the Banks children if they are “going to fight the Hottentots”.
Mary Poppins was released in August 1964 to critical acclaim and commercial success. At the time of its release, it was Disney’s highest-grossing film.
It received a total of 13 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won five.
A sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, was released in December 2018.
When deciding what age rating to give a film, the BBFC considers scenes that might show dangerous behaviour, discrimination, and references to drugs and sex. It also considers the language used in the film, scenes of nudity and of threat, horror and violence.
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Mary Poppins has raised its age rating from U to PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), six decades after it was released.
The movie is being re-released in some cinemas next month to celebrate the film’s 60th anniversary, prompting BBFC to upgrade its classification for the first time since 1964.
The age rating U signifies “no material likely to offend or harm”, meaning a movie is suitable for audiences aged four years and over, according to the BBFC.
A Parental Guidance (PG) rating means some scenes may be unsuitable for young children, though unaccompanied children of any age may watch.
The movies rating has been upgraded due to “discriminatory language” used when describing the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa, according to the MailOnline.
“We understand from our racism and discrimination research … that a key concern for … parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence,” a BBFC spokesperson told the Mail.
“Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.”
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
(Disney/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
In the movie, Reginald Owen’s Admiral Boom uses the racially insensitive word “Hottentots” on two separate occasions, including using it to describe chimney sweeps, whose faces are blackened with soot.
The slur was adopted by Dutch settlers in South Africa, thought to imitate their language. It was later used to refer to all black people.
The reclassification in age rating will only affect the cinema version of the film, with home entertainment versions still rated U.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
In the first instance Admiral Boom uses the term, he asks one of the Banks children if they are “going to fight the Hottentots”.
Mary Poppins was released in August 1964 to critical acclaim and commercial success. At the time of its release, it was Disney’s highest-grossing film.
It received a total of 13 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won five.
A sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, was released in December 2018.
When deciding what age rating to give a film, the BBFC considers scenes that might show dangerous behaviour, discrimination, and references to drugs and sex. It also considers the language used in the film, scenes of nudity and of threat, horror and violence.
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