R7: Research into a controversial film the horror genre and mystery sub genre

Controversial film rated by the BBFC

The Woman in Black:

Year of release: 2011

Director: James Watkins

Genre(s): Horror, mystery, Thriller

Classification/status: 12A with cuts (No one under the age of 12 can see a 12A rated film in cinema unless accompanied by an adult)

The Woman in Black is the film adaption of the book with the same title by Susan Hill. The film and book tell the story of a widowed lawyer who travels to a remote town, where he comes across a revengeful ghost who’s responsible for the deaths of children within the town.

The film was first submitted to the BBFC in 2011 for the 12A category request, but examiners at the BBFC argued that the film should be classified as 15 (No one younger than 15 can see a 15 rated film in cinema). Reasons for the examiner’s decision were based on particular facts about the film. For example, examiners at the BBFC in favor of the 15 classification argued that the film was bleak and the idea of ghosts being able to influence children to commit self-harm, was a “potentially disturbing feature for young children”. Another reason that was suggest by examiners in favor of the 15 classification was the idea that, Daniel Radcliffe was starring in The Woman in Black and this creates a potential problem, because this role was one of his first major roles after the Harry Potter series, thus this film may attract a younger audience, who may not typically watch horror films, so a higher rating was suggested to protect such an audience.

 However, some examiners argued that a 12A rating would be fitting for the film, because the book is seen on the national curriculum and schools often take students to watch the stage version of the book. Thus, it was argued that a 15 rating would prevent 12 to 14 year old to experience the theatrical adaption of this bestselling book and this would be particularly unfair of the BBFC.

The BBFC also considered the historical context of the film, which they argue provides a certain distance between the film and modern reality. In addition, examiners have also pointed out that the film contained notable strong scenes, such as the ghost “The Woman in Black appears to hang herself from a noose”. As a result, it was decided by the BBFC that in order to make the film a 12A rating strong scenes like the scene mentioned earlier would need to be cut along with other adjustments. A total of 6 seconds was cut from the film (all of which was considered strong horror) some shots were darkened and sound effects were reduced to decrease the impact of the jump fright in these shots. The film then was rated 12A by BBFC according to their guidelines which notes that 'Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, providing disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained'. 

Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/woman-black