'U' Rating

Overview

The ‘U’ symbol stands for ‘Universal’.

A ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

Criteria

• Set within a positive moral framework with reassuring counterbalances to any threat
• No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of
• No references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there is a very clear anti-drugs or educational message which will be understood by a younger audience.
• Mild violence only - occasional threat or mild menace.
• Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context
• Mild sexual behaviour, eg. kissing is permitted and references only to eg. 'making love'
• Infrequent use of only very mild bad language, eg. 'damn' and 'hell'
• While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be suitable for young children
• No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons