The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has changed the rating of Wes Craven’s seminalA Nightmare on Elm Streetfrom an 18 to a 15. That’s the equivalent of the film being changed from an R to a PG-13 in the United States. This follows their research into the public’s support for “older content to be reclassified in line with modern standards.” Or, as a BBFC spokesperson put it tothe Guardian:
At the BBFC, we review the classification of older films when they are submitted to us by the distributor, typically ahead of an upcoming re-release. When doing so, we apply our current standards as set out in our published Classification Guidelines. These guidelines evolve over time, informed by large-scale research, most recently involving 12,000 people, to ensure they continue to reflect the expectations of UK audiences. As a result, films may require a higher or lower age rating than they received in the past.
Craven’s classic has long held an 18 rating in the UK. It received that rating when it was first released in 1985, a year after its U.S. release. It received the same rating when it was re-released in UK theaters in 2013. And it received that rating each time it was put on home media. But, now, with the forthcoming 4K home video release, that 18 is being changed to 15, making thebeloved and terrifying horror filmmore accessible to UK youth than ever before.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
On Elm Street, Nancy Thompson and a group of her friends (comprising Tina Gray, Rod Lane and Glen Lantz) are being tormented by a clawed killer in their dreams named Fred Krueger. Nancy must think quickly, as Fred tries to pick them off one by one. When he has you in your sleep, who is there to save you?
Why Was A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Rating Changed?
In short, the rating forA Nightmare on Elm Streetwas changed due to violence. That may sound anachronistic, but the BBFC spokesperson specifies that recent trends have shown audiences becoming more concerned with “real-world violence” than anything else.Johnny Depp being pulled into a bedand turned into a blood geyser is about as far from “real-world” as it gets. The spokesperson elaborated:
Modern audiences tend to be more accepting of violent scenes which are more fantastical in nature. In the case of A Nightmare on Elm Street, although the film features various bloody moments, it is relatively discreet in terms of gore and stronger injury detail. The kills often leave more to the imagination than visceral detail, and largely occur within a fantasy context.
Fair enough on the fantasy context element. But in terms of theoriginalfilm straying from showing visceral detail? Not so much. Given the utter brutality of Tina Gray’s slaying (which features a close-up shot of Freddy’s unseen razors slicing down her chest, at which point blood gushes out), it’s not surprising that there’s been some pushback on this reclassification.
Here’s Why Kevin Bacon Should Play Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street Reboot
If a Nightmare on Elm Street reboot needs to be made, let’s throw in an ’80s icon.
At the end of the day, at least more people in the world can go to the store and pick up a stone-cold classic. Will the film be reclassified in the States? No. After all, the only thing many of the United States' residents express after heinous acts of real-world violence is the combination of thoughts and prayers… hence further heinous acts of real-world violence.
