A Dark Night for Under-12s Taken to Violent Scary Films

By GARETH EDWARDS

As the new Batman film, with its 12A rating, hits cinema screens, GARETH EDWARDS finds the movie has generated a storm of controversy, with some declaring it is glorifying knife crime and questioning whether children should be allowed in to see it at all

‘HOLY parental outrage, Batman,’ as the Robin from a gentler incarnation of the Caped Crusader might have said. “We’ve been accused of helping to fuel knife crime amongst impressionable children in the UK.”

While youngsters across the country will have been demanding to see the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight, a storm has been growing over its content.

The film has been aggressively marketed at children, with promotions on TV and the internet, not to mention newspapers and magazines ads, promotional billboards, junk-food tie-ins and the obligatory range of toys.

The only problem is, it is not really a kids’ film. As the title suggests, it is dark, although it doesn’t have any knights, or jousting.

What it does have is shootings, explosions, savage beatings and, most worrying of all for some, stabbings.

Despite this, any child under 12 who wants to go and see the film need only convince their parents to go with them.

The Dark Knight has been granted a 12A certificate by the British Board of Film Classification.

But while its rating will be seen as a blessing by eager young Bat-fans, and the Hollywood executives reaping the multi-million pound reward, it has come under fire from campaigners who say the film is totally unsuitable for youngsters.

So should The Dark Knight – and other questionable movies which have recently received a 12A – have been given a higher rating or do parents need to be more aware of just what they are taking their children to see?

Anti-knife campaigner Barbara Dunne, 61, whose son Robert was murdered with a samurai sword in a street attack in Middlesbrough, certainly thinks the rating should be stronger, and has claimed The Dark Knight is sending the wrong message to youngsters.

The focus for her concern is the late Heath Ledger’s dark, twisted psychotic performance in the role of the Joker.

Dark, twisted and psychotic are not exactly the kind of role- model character traits parents want their children to follow, and of particular concern is the Joker’s fascination with knives.

As well as using knives to cut a man’s face, as well as various other body parts, in one scene the character says a knife is preferable to a gun, as it allows him to ‘savour the moment’.

Mrs Dunne said the film’s 12A rating would allow impressionable youngsters to see the movie, and perhaps be swayed to copy some elements of it.

But does this mean the BBFC should have taken a tougher stance?

Martial arts in films, for example, are regularly attacked by parents’ groups for teaching their children dangerous fighting moves. But there was little fuss when the cartoon comedy Kung Fu Panda, which features strangling, kicking and any number of other fighting moves, was given a PG rating.

Other high-profile films with a 12A certificate have provided more murky waters for parents. James Bond is generally seen as family entertainment, but in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s Bond undergoes some eye-watering torture, after two hours in which he shoots, strangles and generally murders more than a few villains.

At the other end of the scale is the last Harry Potter film, Order of the Phoenix, which featured some extremely scary Dementors and an actual death, but was firmly rooted in fantasy.

Such differences mean parents need to be aware of what exactly is in a 12A movie, as Alastair Cameron, managing director of the city’s Dominion Cinema, said.

“I think the ratings system at the moment is very good, and certainly if there is an issue it would be for the BBFC to consider, and not ourselves,” he said.

“Parents need to know what they are taking their children to see, and a lot do ask us about the films.”

A BBFC spokeswoman insisted the 12A rating meant a film was not suitable for young children, and said that while there was no problem with the rating system, parents needed to be aware of what a 12A film was about before taking their children along.

“This rating is aimed at the 12-14 age group, but because children mature at very different rates around that time, we have given parents the choice,” the spokeswoman explained. “So, if a parent feels their ten-year-old is very mature, then they can take them along.

“The rating is clearly explained at the cinema before a film and on our website. As a rule, a 12A film will not be suitable for young children, or any child under 12. If it was, we would give it a U or PG rating.”

A good example of the importance of parental information came a few years ago at a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.

Its 12A rating should really have acted as a warning to the parents of three young children who sat in front of me.

After the first ten minutes, which featured grim scenes of torture and imprisonment, the parents left, crying tots in tow.

They will undoubtedly think far more carefully the next time. And if other parents want to make sure their children aren’t exposed to unsuitable material, they should do the same.

CINEMA RATINGS

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)

U Universal. A ‘U’ film should be 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. No bad language, very mild, undetailed violence.

PG Parental Guidance. General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents should consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. Moderate violence allowed, if justified by setting. Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense.

12A Suitable for 12 years and over. No one younger than 12 may see a ’12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult. Strong language, implied sexual activity allowed. Violence must not dwell on detail, while ‘dangerous techniques’ such as combat should not dwell on imitable detail.

15 Suitable only for 15 years and over. No-one younger than 15 may see a ’15′ film in a cinema. Frequent use of strong language, sexualised nudity, strong violence allowed, although it must not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Drug taking may be shown, but must not condone drug use.

18 Suitable only for adults only. No-one younger than 18 may see an ’18′ film in a cinema. Anything goes, although material which “appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society” such as a detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use likely to promote the activity, may be cut.

(c) 2008 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.