Watership Down would be rated PG nowadays

Pawnless Endgame · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:39

BBC News said:
The U-rated 1978 film Watership Down would be classified PG were it released today, the new head of the British Board of Film Classification has said.

I can't really remember Watership Down (saw it in the late 80s), but what in it would make that a PG now and a U back then? The Beeb article says it's "arguably too strong", but that sentence comes to me as being subjective. One person's verdict as a PG might still be considered as a U for the general population. Too subjective.

Also, I wondered what caused the most recent Disney films to become PG e.g. Frozen and Tangled? Hell, I even have 2 copies of Lilo & Stitch. The 1st copy says U and the 2nd says PG wtf. Granted, I'm not very good with 18-rated graphic horror, but for lesser ratings, are we just becoming a bunch of wimps who choose to be offended (rather than being genuinely offended)?

scorza · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:46

Lol - I remember watching it as a kid and being frightened to death when General Bigwig has that fight with the nasty rabbit - can't remember who wins but I think there was blood and torn ears etc. Plus when "Brighteyes" starts playing, you know there's going to be grown men crying - no kids should be subjected to that. Can't believe it was ever a U.

Pawnless Endgame · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:49

Ahhh okies! If it should always have been a PG, then I don't have a problem with that. It's the changing of goalposts that gets my goat sometimes.

What is your view on Bambi? Pretty sure that's always been a U but I remember one particular spoiler (won't say what it is) that turned the film into a pretty dark piece of work, especially for a Disney! (even if the spoiler was shown slightly off-screen).

scorza · 30 Mar 2016 at 21:56

Pawnless Endgame said:
Ahhh okies! If it should always have been a PG, then I don't have a problem with that. It's the changing of goalposts that gets my goat sometimes.

What is your view on Bambi? Pretty sure that's always been a U but I remember one particular spoiler (won't say what it is) that turned the film into a pretty dark piece of work, especially for a Disney! (even if the spoiler was shown slightly off-screen).

The bit at the beginning? Yeah that's unnecessary imo - tbh I can't remember the rest of the film though.

Amp34 · 30 Mar 2016 at 22:00

PG?!

I'd say it should be a 15 minimum. It's one of the nastiest, most horrible films I've ever seen.

I still don't understand how a film with animals being buried alive, having their throats ripped out, massive amounts of blood and gore and essentially torture was ever considered a U.

Malevolence · 30 Mar 2016 at 22:02

Always remember Kehaar telling Hazel and Bigwig to "**** off".

Warbie · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:17

Yeah, Watership Down is ****ing harsh! Great film, though. Despite freaking me out it was one of my favourite childhood movies.

theMilitant · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:21

One of my favourite cartoon movies as a kid. Saw it for the first time when I was about 7 years old. One of the first films I can remember making me emotional, although I don't think I cried. Some kids are okay with the levels of violence contained in this film.

TriedandTested · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:36

Love that film. So weird and amazing. Sad too. Has the famous 'Bright Eyes' song in it that always gets me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwWp6vnAF50

Very gory if I remember too. Great film.

Rimsy · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:37

It's pretty brutal - remember seeing that and Threads at school. Equally disturbed by both!!

Craig1981 · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:44

I adore Watership Down. I've watched it countless times over the years. But yeah, it pulls no punches when it comes to showing blood and death.

^ I mean check THAT out! :eek:

Akagi · 30 Mar 2016 at 23:46

PG? Should be a blooming 18+ with a mental trauma disclaimer!

boxman2000 · 31 Mar 2016 at 08:24

My father was part of the finance team on this film.

My families only claim to infamy.

Jono · 31 Mar 2016 at 10:15

It should be a U and kids these days should stop being mollycoddled and be taught that stuff like that happens. Things die all the time and the world isn't always a lovely place, though it can be.

slade · 31 Mar 2016 at 11:44

Jono said:
It should be a U and kids these days should stop being mollycoddled and be taught that stuff like that happens. Things die all the time and the world isn't always a lovely place, though it can be.

Geez.... thanks dad :eek:

Cyanide · 31 Mar 2016 at 14:06

"Scenes of mild peril"

Maximum Triceratops · 31 Mar 2016 at 17:44

Jono said:
It should be a U and kids these days should stop being mollycoddled and be taught that stuff like that happens. Things die all the time and the world isn't always a lovely place, though it can be.

LOL, a bit harsh

I wouldnt want to show a 2 year old this film, could be mentally scarring

. Also, it's a very depressing movie, almost in the same league as threads

BriT · 31 Mar 2016 at 17:50

Bright eyes song still has me in tears.

jsmoke · 31 Mar 2016 at 17:54

Could have sworn there was a TV series of WD in the 80's/early 90s but according to wiki it was the late 90s/00's.

Pawnless Endgame · 31 Mar 2016 at 19:04

Craig1981 said:
I adore Watership Down. I've watched it countless times over the years. But yeah, it pulls no punches when it comes to showing blood and death.

^ I mean check THAT out!

I've just watched that clip... damn! That would definitely be a PG now, but I think it should have been a PG since its 1978 release. Like I said in a post before and in my OP title, none of this changing of goalposts.

scorza said:
The bit at the beginning? Yeah that's unnecessary imo - tbh I can't remember the rest of the film though.

I'll have to re-watch Bambi, but I think the spoiler bit is a little way into the film, maybe about half way through. I don't remember it being overly graphic, but it was certainly a cruel thing to add in a Disney flick!