Mary Poppins' Age Rating Elevated to PG Due to "Discriminatory Language"
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has raised the age rating of the 1964 classic, Mary Poppins, from U to PG, nearly six decades after its release. The decision is linked to the film's use of "discriminatory language," specifically the colonial term "Hottentots," historically used by white Europeans to describe the Khoikhoi people in South Africa.
The BBFC highlighted instances where the term is used by the character Admiral Boom, played by Reginald Owen, who twice refers to chimney-sweeps with soot-covered faces as "Hottentots." The board explained, "While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We, therefore, classified the film PG for discriminatory language."
This move follows the BBFC's commitment to reflecting societal standards, as seen in recent reclassifications like Pixar's Ratatouille, which was changed from a U to PG for “comic violence” and “mild bad language”, and Brad Pitt's Fight Club, which has been downgraded from an 18 to a 15. The organisation emphasised that their decisions are based on regularly updated guidelines, extensive public consultation, research, and accumulated experience, aiming to provide age ratings and content advice to help families make informed viewing choices.
The BBFC's spokesperson noted, "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… Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating." Parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children, as a PG rating suggests that some scenes may be unsuitable for young children, though it should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older.
