Buzz
Dan Glickman, the President and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
Joshua Roberts/Getty ImagesIn 1968, the United States introduced a new movie rating system to replace the Hays Production Code. Unlike the previous system, which only provided a binary approval or disapproval, the new system offered a graded approach to describe a film's content. This change was driven by the increasing number of mainstream films featuring adult themes. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), alongside the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) and the International Film Importers & Distributors of America (IFIDA), developed this system to assist parents in shielding their children from inappropriate material. Initially, the system had four ratings, which later expanded to five.
The Rating Board, based in Los Angeles, is responsible for assigning movie ratings. This board, part of the Classification and Rating Administration, comprises eight to 13 full-time members selected by the MPAA president. While the president appoints the board's chairman, they have no influence over its decisions. Members, who come from diverse backgrounds, are chosen for their parenting experience to ensure a parental perspective. They individually assess each film, discuss their evaluations as a group, and vote on the appropriate rating. Producers can request an explanation for the rating and, if dissatisfied, may re-edit the film for reevaluation or appeal the decision. The Appeals Board, consisting of 14 to 18 industry professionals, reviews such cases and requires a two-thirds majority to overturn a rating.
The process of assigning movie ratings is highly subjective and continuously evolving. A Policy Review Committee, made up of MPAA and NATO officials, oversees the Review Board and establishes guidelines for rating films. Currently, the Rating Board categorizes movies as follows:
- G -- "General Audience - All Ages Admitted": This rating is given to films without nudity, sexual content, drug use, or strong language. Violence is minimal, and the themes are considered suitable for young children. The MPAA clarifies that a G rating does not necessarily mean the film is intended for children.
-
PG -- "Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children": This rating is applied when the Rating Board believes the film contains themes or content that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. It may include mild profanity, brief nudity, or limited violence, but drug use is excluded.
- PG-13 -- "Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.": Introduced in 1984, this rating indicates that the film contains more intense violence, profanity, or sexual content, making it unsuitable for younger viewers. Any depiction of drug use automatically warrants at least a PG-13 rating. A single use of a strong, sexually derived word is permitted if used as an expletive, not in a sexual context.
- R -- "Restricted. Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian": This rating is assigned to films with significant adult content, such as strong profanity, intense violence, explicit sexual material, or extensive drug use. In some states, viewers must be 18 or older to attend without a guardian.
- NC-17: "No One 17 And Under Admitted": Originally labeled as X, this rating is used for films with adult content deemed inappropriate for minors. It signifies more intense material than an R-rated film but does not imply obscenity. In certain states, the minimum age to view an NC-17 film is 18.
The rating process is entirely voluntary; filmmakers are not obligated to submit their movies for a CARA rating. However, most choose to do so because the majority of U.S. theaters rely on this system, and unrated films face challenges in securing screenings. Filmmakers who opt out can release their movies unrated or use alternative rating systems. They cannot, however, use the official ratings, as they are trademarked. CARA operates independently of the U.S. government, and its ratings hold no legal weight.
This rating system applies to both theatrical releases and video distributions, but it is exclusive to the United States. International rating organizations assign their own classifications to U.S. films, and the Rating Board evaluates foreign movies based on its criteria, ignoring their original ratings from other countries.
Here are some interesting links:
- The Classification and Rating Administration
- The Motion Picture Association of America
- Kids-in-Mind -- A valuable resource that evaluates films by detailing specific mature content.
- Hollywood Seeks End to Internet Movie Piracy
