Film classification - 15 and 18

No one younger than 15 can see a film with a '15' rating at the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a film with a '15' rating

  In a film with this rating, any form of discriminatory language or behaviour is not acceptable.

Drugs are allowed to be presented but cannot be incouraged or shown to be misused in any way.

Horror is also allowed and can be strong and show menace. However it can't be sadistic or secualised.
Dangerous behaviou such as sucide or self harming should not be dwelled on in detail.
Strong language can be used frequently, but stronger terms being repeated is unlikely.
Their are no limitations to nudity when it is in a non-sexual nature. However in sexual context nudity and sexual activity can be diplayed but not explicitly.
Violence can be strong but not dwell on the inflicition of pain and suffering. Extremely gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Verbal detail of sexual violence can be presented but not portrayed visibaly unless in a discrete nature.

No one younger than 18 can see a film with a rating of '18' rating at the cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy a film with an '18' rating.

 A film which has a certificate 18 allows anyone over this age to choose their own entertainment.
This rating accepts images of a gory nature, drug abusers and scenes of a sexual nature.
However their are still certain boundaries these films cannot overide. Film material which is a against the law is a criminal offence and cannot be permitted. Also, if material appears harmful to an individual or society. This could include dangerous acts or illegal drug use which is hazardous to a beings health or values.
 Furthermore, sexual violence which dwells on the the subject of sexual assault is against the regulations of an '18' certificate.




While both certificates have a set of rules which must be reviewed for in order to allow explicit scenes, it is clear that cetificate '18' present much more topics of a sexual nature, drugs and gore. Violence in '18' certifcates are exposed more and strong language can be used a lot more freely.
This suggests that their are more boundaries for directors to follow in a film rated '15' whereas an '18' film rating is free to include anything that is not against the law.