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BBFC Extended Classification of Hallows Part 1 - Why it's rated 12A
Why the film was rated 12A in the UK:
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - PART I is the first of a two-part adaptation of JK Rowling's seventh Harry Potter book. It is a fantasy drama about teenage wizard Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron as they work to stop the evil Lord Voldemort, who has taken over the Ministry of Magic and started to persecute 'mudbloods', or half-humans, who practise magic. It was classified '12A' for moderate fantasy violence and threat.
The BBFC's Guidelines at 'PG' state that 'Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed if justified by its context (for example [...] fantasy)' and that 'frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor'. Although the characters in the film use magic, often in clearly fantastical settings, and some of the characters are magic creatures such as elves, much of this film takes place in familiar and realistic settings. There are also some stronger moments of violence which include some detail, particularly of injuries sustained by characters, with sight of blood and realistic-looking wounds. These include the word 'mudblood' shown in bloody scratches on Hermione's forearm after she has been tortured off-screen. This level of detail is better contained by the Guidelines at '12A'/'12' where 'moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood'. Although there is too much detail, overall, for a 'PG' there is no real dwelling on that detail, nor any emphasis on injuries or blood beyond establishment of the wounds.
In terms of moderate threat, the film possesses a fairly dark and intense tone, in common with many of the more recent instalments of HARRY POTTER. Although few sequences are particularly prolonged, some of them possess a level of intensity that takes them beyond the 'PG' category, including a sequence very near the start of the film where Miss Burbage is tormented by Voldemort and the sequence where it is implied Hermione is being tortured off-screen by Bellatrix. These sequences fit the Guidelines at '12A'/'12' where 'Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, providing disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained'. As with other recent instalments, the general darkness of tone and occasional feelings of hopelessness make this better suited to '12A' than 'PG', as does the fact that various sympathetic and well-loved characters die or are injured. Being the first part of a two-part adventure, there is a notable lack of a reassuring resolution and certainly no happy ending.
Other issues include an unusual sequence in which we see a vision, conjured by Voldemort in order to taunt Ron, of an apparently naked Harry and Hermione embracing and kissing. Any detail of nudity is carefully concealed by angles and by the swirling mists of the vision but nudity is strongly implied. This sequence is containable at '12A' where the Guidelines state that 'nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet'.
The film also features occasional mild and discreet sex references and, in an animation sequence, an undetailed silhouette depiction of a person hanging himself. It does not feature any detail of the techniques of hanging, nor any suggestion that hanging is anything other than deadly.
There are also several uses of mild bad language, specifically 'hell', 'damn', 'git', 'piss', 'bloody', 'bleeding' and 'arse'.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - PART I is the first of a two-part adaptation of JK Rowling's seventh Harry Potter book. It is a fantasy drama about teenage wizard Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron as they work to stop the evil Lord Voldemort, who has taken over the Ministry of Magic and started to persecute 'mudbloods', or half-humans, who practise magic. It was classified '12A' for moderate fantasy violence and threat.
The BBFC's Guidelines at 'PG' state that 'Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed if justified by its context (for example [...] fantasy)' and that 'frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor'. Although the characters in the film use magic, often in clearly fantastical settings, and some of the characters are magic creatures such as elves, much of this film takes place in familiar and realistic settings. There are also some stronger moments of violence which include some detail, particularly of injuries sustained by characters, with sight of blood and realistic-looking wounds. These include the word 'mudblood' shown in bloody scratches on Hermione's forearm after she has been tortured off-screen. This level of detail is better contained by the Guidelines at '12A'/'12' where 'moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood'. Although there is too much detail, overall, for a 'PG' there is no real dwelling on that detail, nor any emphasis on injuries or blood beyond establishment of the wounds.
In terms of moderate threat, the film possesses a fairly dark and intense tone, in common with many of the more recent instalments of HARRY POTTER. Although few sequences are particularly prolonged, some of them possess a level of intensity that takes them beyond the 'PG' category, including a sequence very near the start of the film where Miss Burbage is tormented by Voldemort and the sequence where it is implied Hermione is being tortured off-screen by Bellatrix. These sequences fit the Guidelines at '12A'/'12' where 'Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, providing disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained'. As with other recent instalments, the general darkness of tone and occasional feelings of hopelessness make this better suited to '12A' than 'PG', as does the fact that various sympathetic and well-loved characters die or are injured. Being the first part of a two-part adventure, there is a notable lack of a reassuring resolution and certainly no happy ending.
Other issues include an unusual sequence in which we see a vision, conjured by Voldemort in order to taunt Ron, of an apparently naked Harry and Hermione embracing and kissing. Any detail of nudity is carefully concealed by angles and by the swirling mists of the vision but nudity is strongly implied. This sequence is containable at '12A' where the Guidelines state that 'nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet'.
The film also features occasional mild and discreet sex references and, in an animation sequence, an undetailed silhouette depiction of a person hanging himself. It does not feature any detail of the techniques of hanging, nor any suggestion that hanging is anything other than deadly.
There are also several uses of mild bad language, specifically 'hell', 'damn', 'git', 'piss', 'bloody', 'bleeding' and 'arse'.
Comments
WTF? :|
Didn't we get descriptions that we see lots of scenes, combined with reaction shots from the dungeons, where Bellatrix interrogates Hermione and pulls her violently, throws her on the floor and tortures her a few times with the Cruciatus curse?
Hermione's screaming + crazy Bellatrix + Ron and Harry going mad = Huge tension
Furthermore they will show Bellatrix putting the knife on Hermione's throat so I'm not worried.
It's both on and off screen. Acting is great, especially Helena Bonham Carter.
Ron looks absolutely distraught and you can see the urgency and just how much he wants to go save her.You see Lucius Malfoy's desperation, Draco's struggles with indecision, and the nut case that is Bellatrix Lestrange.
Hearing Hermione's screams while Bellatrix tortures her was enough to make me cringe.
Hermione's torture really brings out a side of Bellatrix, an aspect of her character that we haven't seen before. What drives her to torture Hermione is both interesting and exciting on film. When Hermione awakens from being tortured she notices the word "mudblood" carved into her arm.
Emma Watson's shrieking as Bella's character tortures her own (Bellatrix brands "mudblood" onto Hermione's arm) still gives me chills.
Hermione's torture is quite graphic and jarring.
We'll most definitely SEE Bellatrix interrogating Hermione during the torture. Maybe they cut during the actual torture moments and show Harry and Ron reacting and we just hear the shrieking/screaming.
Dunno :/
I'd like to see some glimpses of the torture.