Entertainment Ireland

GENERAL

A film classified as 'General' should be suitable for children of school going age.

Not every child will respond in the same way to particular themes, scenes and images. What might amuse one child, may upset or frighten another, so parents, who know their own children best, should decide what is appropriate.

THEME/CONTENT

The film should not be concerned with serious or moral issues which might confuse or disturb a young child.

CONTEXT

In overall terms, the film should be within the comprehension of a child and good and bad should be balanced in a positive way.

VIOLENCE

If any violence is present, it should be mild, perhaps comedic or cartoon-style, and there will be a complete absence of any serious threat, menace, blood or imitatable techniques.

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY:

If present, it will be very mild and non-graphic, e.g. kissing, dating, etc.

Here are some examples of films rated 'General' in 2006/7:
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
The Wild
Cars
Over the Hedge
An Inconvenient Truth
The Ant Bully
Flushed Away
Miss Potter
Charlotte's Web
Meet the Robinsons
Shrek the Third
Surf's Up

PG (Parental Guidance)

A film with a 'PG' cert may be watched by unaccompanied children of any age.

However, because some element within the overall film might be unsettling for younger children, parents are strongly advised to satisfy themselves in advance as to whether the film is appropriate for their younger children. This website provides information on each film released and links to a range of other sites which provide detailed content info and film reviews.

THEME/CONTENT

Stronger issues, e.g. violence or war, may be be dealt with, but there will be a generally positive or redemptive resolution.

CONTEXT

A film classified in this category may have a context of mild threat, but it is likely to be one that children can understand and handle.

VIOLENCE

This should be justified by the context and should be non-imitatable and non-explicit (e.g. fantasy violence, westerns, etc).

LANGUAGE

This will be mild.

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY:

Sexual content or dialogue will be mild and may be implied rather than shown, and any nudity will be natural and non-sexual.

DRUGS

Any references, which will relate only to 'soft' drugs, will be mild.

Here are some examples of films rated 'PG' in 2006/7: The Devil Wears Prada
Open Season
Happy Feet
Night at the Museum
Eragon
Rocky Balboa
Music and Lyrics
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Mr Bean's Holiday
Are We Done Yet?
Ocean's Thirteen
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

12A

Films classified in this category are considered to be suitable for those of twelve and upwards. They may also be seen by younger children provided a parent or adult guardian accompanies them.

THEME/CONTENT

Films classified as 12A are likely to feature more mature themes, e.g. Involving crime, conflict, relationships, etc., but young persons of twelve and over will already be familiar with them from their television viewing.

CONTEXT

We try to retain a flexibility of approach and look at the context and impact of the film as a whole, rather than rating it only on the basis of one short image or scene.

VIOLENCE

This should be relatively mild or moderate and it should not be imitative, gratuitous, nor glamourised.

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY:

Generally, only mild dialogue and natural non-sexual nudity are acceptable.

DRUGS

Mild or brief images of 'soft' drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context, but normally no images of or references to 'hard' drugs are acceptable.

LANGUAGE

Commonly used milder swear words may be acceptable, but not sexually violent, explicit or threatening language.

Here are some examples of films rated '12A' in 2006/7: Click
World Trade Center
A Good Year
The Prestige
All the King's Men
Dreamgirls
The Pursuit of Happyness
Goal! 2: Living the Dream...
Ghost Rider
Next
Spider-Man 3
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

15A

Films classified in this category are considered to be suitable for those of fifteen and upwards. They may also be seen by younger children provided a parent or adult guardian accompanies them.

THEME/CONTENT

Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification normally decided by the way the subject is treated. It is worth noting that our recent nationwide survey research confirms that both parents and adolescents often experience embarassment when they view films featuring more mature themes (eg. sexual activity or nudity) in each other's company.

CONTEXT

Modern adolescents of fifteen and older will generally be aware of, and be able to appreciate, the context of a film.

VIOLENCE

This may be realistic but not gratuitous, prolonged or overly bloody. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed.

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY:

Mild/moderate sexual activity/nudity is acceptable, particularly when portrayed positively.

DRUGS

Scenes/dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is instruction or encouragement as to use.

Here are some examples of films rated '15A' in 2006/7: Casino Royale
The Holiday
The Last King of Scotland
Apocalypto
The Good Shepherd
Bobby
Letters from Iwo Jima
Hot Fuzz
300
Curse of the Golden Flower
La Vie En Rose
Die Hard 4.0

16

Films classified in this category are considered to be suitable for persons of sixteen or over. Children under this age cannot be admitted to cinemas.

THEME/CONTENT

Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification normally decided by the way the subject is treated.

CONTEXT

It is assumed that adolescents of sixteen and over will be able to appreciate the context of a film.

VIOLENCE

Violent content and depicition of violence may be stronger than in films designated 15A. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed.

SEXUAL CONTENT/NUDITY:

Moderate sexual context/themes acceptable.

DRUGS

Scenes/dialogue relating to drugs will be acceptable if the context is appropriate, but not if there is instruction or encouragement to use.

Here are some examples of films rated '16' in 2006/7: A Scanner Darkly
Babel
The Black Dahlia
Borat
Venus
Pan's Labyrinth
Black Book
Running with Scissors
Pathfinder
Perfect Stranger
Zodiac
28 Weeks Later

OVER 18

We operate on the basis that, as adults, persons who are eighteen and over should be free, subject to the law, to watch what they wish. However, we will also supply information on 'Over 18' films to adults through this website on the basis that practical consumer advice is appreciated by the public.

Here are some examples of films rated '18' in 2006/7: Hard Candy
Basic Instinct 2
Sequestro Express
Dirty Sanchez
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Saw III
Smokin' Aces
Hannibal Rising
Alpha Dog
The Hills Have Eyes 2
Hostel: Part 2
Death Proof