Why do some works get different ratings on DVD or BluRaycompared to the cinema?
There are two reasons. Sometimes the extras can affect a classification, so a ’12A’ feature may be pushed to ’15’ on DVD if, for example, the blooper reel or commentary contains strong language. This is because the DVD rating is based on the highest rating of any extra included with it (the special DVD edition of Jaws had its classification raised from ‘PG’ to ’12’ because of Steven Spielberg’s infrequent use of strong language in a documentary also included on the disc!). Additional deleted scenes sometimes contain issues like strong violence which were absent from the original release (for example if the distributor chose to cut a film to achieve a lower category but is happy to release it uncut on DVD). Very occasionally though, the same work can receive a different category. This is because when examiners classify a work for video they have to incorporate the Video Recordings Act 1984 which requires them to bear in mind the possibility of younger children getting hold of material.
