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CARA MOVIE RATINGS EXPLAINED
(Classification And Ratings Administration)
When did the rating system get started?
The Rating system went into effect on November 1, 1968.
What is the purpose of the rating system?
The movie rating system is a voluntary system sponsored by the Motion
Picture Association of America and the National Association of Theatre
Owners to provide parents with advance information on films, enabling
parents to make judgments on movies they want or do not want their children
to see.
Do the ratings indicate if a movie is good or bad?
No; the system is not designed to serve the function of "critic." The
ratings do not determine or reflect whether a film is "good" or "bad." The
system is not intended to approve, disapprove or censor any film; it merely
assigns a rating for guidance--leaving the decision-making responsibilities
to the parents.
Who gives movies their ratings?
Parents give the movies their ratings-men and women just like you. They are
part of a specially designed committee called the film rating board of the
Classification and Rating Administration. As a group they view each film
and, after a group discussion, vote on its rating, making an educated
estimate as to which rating most American parents would consider the most
appropriate.
What criteria do they use?
The rating board uses the criteria you as a parent use when deciding what is
suitable viewing for your child. Theme, language, violence, nudity, sex and
drug use are among those content areas considered in the decision-making
process. Also assessed is how each of these elements is employed in the
context of each individual film. The rating board places no special emphasis
on any of these elements; all are considered and examined before a rating is
given.
What are the rating reasons?
Accompanying ratings are reasons for the ratings given that can be found in
many movie reviews, at theatres and on this Web site (by clicking on the
"Movie Search" button above). Explanations are not available for films rated
R prior to September 27, 1990.
What do the ratings symbols mean?
 General Audience. All
ages admitted. This signifies that the film rated contains nothing most
parents will consider offensive for even their youngest children to see or
hear. Nudity, sex scenes, and scenes of drug use are absent; violence is
minimal; snippets of dialogue may go beyond polite conversation but do not
go beyond common everyday expressions.
 Parental Guidance Suggested.
Some material may not be suitable for children. This signifies that the film
rated may contain some material parents might not like to expose to their
young children - material that will clearly need to be examined or inquired
about before children are allowed to attend the film. Explicit sex scenes
and scenes of drug use are absent; nudity, if present, is seen only briefly,
horror and violence do not exceed moderate levels.
Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for
children under 13. This signifies that the film rated may be inappropriate
for pre-teens. Parents should be especially careful about letting their
younger children attend. Rough or persistent violence is absent;
sexually-oriented nudity is generally absent; some scenes of drug use may be
seen; one use of the harsher sexually derived words may be heard.
 Restricted-Under 17
requires accompanying parent or adult guardian (age varies in some
locations). This signifies that the rating board has concluded that the film
rated contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about
the film before taking their children to see it. An R may be assigned due
to, among other things, a film's use of language, theme, violence, sex or
its portrayal of drug use.
NOTE: We will NEVER show
a NC17 picture at the BDI
NC17
No One 17 and Under
Admitted. This signifies that the rating board believes that most
American parents would feel that the film is patently adult and that
children age 17 and under should not be admitted to it. The film may contain
explicit sex scenes, an accumulation of sexually-oriented language, or
scenes of excessive violence. The NC-17 designation does not, however,
signify that the rated film is obscene or pornographic.
Is the rating system a law?
No, the rating system is strictly voluntary and carries no force of law.
Can a rating be changed?
Yes, the rules permit movie producers to re-edit their films and re-submit
them in hopes of receiving another rating. Producers may also appeal a
rating decision to the Rating Appeals Board, which is composed of men and
women from the industry organizations that sponsor the rating system. A
two-thirds secret ballot vote of those present on the Appeals Board may
overturn a rating board decision.
Do all movies have to be rated?
No. Submitting a film is purely a voluntary decision made by the filmmakers.
However, the overwhelming majority of the producers creating entertaining,
responsible films do in fact submit their films for ratings. All five
Classification and Rating Administration rating symbols have been
trademarked and may not be self-applied.
Who enforces the ratings?
While the decision to enforce the rating system is purely voluntary, the
National Association of Theatre Owners estimate that the majority of
theaters observe the Classification and Rating Administration's guidelines.
What else can parents do?
Parents are urged to learn as much about a film as possible before they
permit their children to attend. Reading reviews and feature articles or
speaking with your theater manager and friends are good ways to gather
information in addition to the ratings.
Whom do I contact for more information?
Please write to:
The Classification and Rating Administration
15503 Ventura Boulevard
Encino, CA 91436
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The Guide to Drive-in Movie Theatres 
