The Great Movie Ratings Debacle

In 1979, director George Romero released DAWN OF THE DEAD, the long awaited sequel to his 1968 classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. When submitted to the Motion Picture Association of America, DAWN was saddled with an X rating, based on violence. Now the X was used at the time to denote sexually explicit films, and since most mainstream theatres refused to book X rated films, the chances for successful marketing of DAWN OF THE DEAD were slim to say the least.

Romero had the option of recutting the film to obtain an R rating, however Romero decided against that approach and chose to release the film unrated. Fortunately the move paid off and the film went on to gross about $40 million worldwide.

The problem with DAWN OF THE DEAD would also show up in the ratings battles for other films, most notably FRIDAY THE 13^TH, PHANTASM, and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST, all films that were initially rated X due to violence, then trimmed for an R rating. It also kicked off a lengthy debate which continues to this day over the effectiveness of the ratings system, how it is implemented, what the standards are, and whether or not they are at all effective.

The current movie ratings system is as follows:

G – GENERAL AUDIENCES – there is nothing in the film (language, nudity, sex, or violence) that would make the film unsuitable for smaller children.

PG- PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED – this denotes a film which needs to be examined by parents before allowing their children to see it. The label plainly states that the film may contain material unsuitable for children, but it leaves the parent to make the decision. PG rated films may be rated as such for theme, violence, profanity, or brief nudity, but the elements are not intense enough to warrant any stronger cautioning.

PG-13 - PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED – this is a stronger warning to parent, indicating that the movie may not be suitable for children under 13 years of age. It indicates more explicit violence, stronger language, and possible nudity in a sexual orientation. The PG-13 rating debuted in 1984 with INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM. The previous Indiana Jones film, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, was harshly criticized for its level of violence for a PG rated film.

R – RESTRICTED – this indicates a movie that the Ratings Board believes is patently too adult for small children, and no one under 17 will be allowed in unless accompanied by a parent. R rated films include very strong language, violence, nudity or sexual content, drug use, etc.

NC-17 – NO ONE UNDER 17 ADMITTED – NC-17 replaced the X rating as the symbol for any film seemed inappropriate for children under 17. Unlike the X, which almost exclusively represented sexually oriented films, the NC-17 rating applies for a number of different reasons, such as violence or drug use.

It is a fine system, in theory, but in real life hardly applicable. Theatres rarely check ID or enforce the ratings code. And even if you are a concerned parent, the current ratings system does little to really inform you. If a film is rated R, then why is it rated R. For violence? Sexual content? Language? This author recently watched John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN, rated R in 1978, but a film that would almost surely be rated PG-13 today (and I only say that because of a very brief moment of nudity). 1974’s TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, (R) has no blood, no language, no nudity, and only implied violence I have likewise seen PG films with more violence and onscreen blood than some of their R rated counterparts. There seems to be little or no consistency when it comes to some of the ratings board decisions.

The result is a system designed for parents that really does them very little good. Add that to the fact that theatres don’t enforce the system and it becomes pretty much a moot point.

I would like to see a revamping of the movie ratings system in a way that is more informative, much the way TV ratings are now. At the beginning of every show on television, we are given a rating along with designations indicating why that particular rating was applied.

V- denotes violent content

S- denotes sexual situations

L – denotes crude, coarse, or indecent language

D – denotes suggestive dialogue

FV- denotes fantasy violence.

Applying these designations, even to the current system, would allow parents to make more informed choices on the films that they will or will not allow their children to see.

The last movie I saw was DUE DATE, which was rated R. Now DUE DATE is a fun, mostly vacuous comedy, and for the most part suitable for all ages. Only recurring use of some of the more harsh profanity warranted it being rated R. For parents on the verge of letting their underage teen see the film, not knowing what the R meant, a simple designation, R – L (rated R for Language) would solve the problem.

As someone who is adamantly against censorship in any form, I do not think filmmakers should have to worry about cutting their films down to achieve a more “respectable” rating. Parents need to step up and be parents and know what it is that their children want to see. Likewise, adults who may be put off by certain elements might like to know in advance what they can expect from the movie they just plunked $10 down to sit through.

Studies have shown that different areas of the country are put off by different elements; in the south, it is sexual content, in the north, language, in the west, violence. Simplifying the ratings systems and adding specified designations would work in all areas of the country.

The alphabet soup known as the ratings system is old and outdated, and needs to be discarded. If the MPAA wishes to remain relevant, then give movie goers and parents information that they can actually use.

Billy is the Director Of Content for LeadsByFone LLC, a lead generation company serving the water mitigation and restoration industry.  He is based in Atlanta, GA