The British Board of Film Classification has been met with backlash after increasing the age rating for Mary Poppins from U (Universal) to PG (Parental Guidance) with fans branding the move ‘ridiculous’.
The 1964 film follows Julie Andrews as nanny Mary Poppins, who injects fun into the lives of the stiff, well-to-do Banks family, by inspiring their mischievous children through magic.
The BBFC has rated the magical nanny classic as such because of ‘discriminatory language’.
It also describes the film as ‘light and fun’ with a few ‘scary moments’ which are ‘quickly resolved’.
The BBFC have defended their decision, and pointed out to Metro.co.uk they only review age ratings when they are resubmitted to the organisation.
They said: ‘We originally classified Mary Poppins U on its release in 1964, and again in 2013 for a theatrical re-release. Most recently, the film was resubmitted to us in February 2024 for another theatrical re-release, and we reclassified it PG for discriminatory language.
‘Mary Poppins (1964) includes two uses of the discriminatory term ‘hottentots’. While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language.
‘For context, we only review (and potentially reclassify) previously classified content when it’s been formally resubmitted to us.’
The discriminatory language revolves around the use of the Dutch term ‘Hottentots’ – a racially loaded term, originally used in the 17th century by white Europeans to describe the Khoikhoi, a nomadic indigenous population of South Africa.
Often thought of as one of the oldest people in the world, the Khoikhoi were driven off their land, with their social organisation damaged and destroyed by white colonial expansion.
As the Dutch took over land for farms, the Khoikhoi were dispossessed, killed, or enslaved. Those who chose to remain ended up as farm labourers for the invading settlers.
Admiral Boom, portrayed by Reginald Owen, uses the word twice throughout the film, directly referring to the Khoikhoi people each time.
At one stage, he dangles from the roof in a boat and asks if one of the Banks children are off to ‘fight’ them.
Later in the film when the chimney sweeps – with their faces blackened by soot – dance on the roof, he says we’re being ‘attacked’ by them, before aiming fireworks at the workers.
The change was met with backlash online, with some branding it ‘ridiculous’.
X user Lost_In_Films said: ‘Mary Poppins is trending because in 2024 it’s been decided film should be changed from U to PG rating.
‘Imagine being the person that thinks Mary Poppins needs parental guidance to be seen. Getting ridiculous so many bigger issues in media that really are affecting childhoods.’
User @stephenwilson04 added: ‘The @BBFC raising the rating of #MaryPoppins from a U to a PG 60yrs after it was made, for discriminatory language…the use of “hottentot”, a word probably most people who’ve seen the film can’t remember hearing & don’t know what it is. Clown Shoes!’
‘What a strange world we live in. Mary Poppins is now classed as PG instead of certificate U,’ commented @Geoffscott5
User @suzfly wrote: ‘The reclassification of the film Mary Poppins in just plain ridiculous. Have you thought how many films you’d have to reclassify if slurs against women, say, were retrospectively to be deemed damaging?’
POV: Me blocking all the fully grown adults getting upset over Mary Poppins going from a U rating to a PG. pic.twitter.com/iIS9I4oJA5
— Tim Saxby (@TimxSaxby) February 26, 2024
Others mocked those getting offended by the rating change, as user @TimxSaxby shared a gif of Dick Van Dyke kicking away animated penguins from the film, and wrote: ‘POV: Me blocking all the fully grown adults getting upset over Mary Poppins going from a U rating to a PG.’
Explaining the resubmission of Mary Poppins for age rating consideration, The BBFC continued: ‘There are different scenarios in which content may be resubmitted to us by a distributor. For example, this could be ahead of an upcoming cinema re-release, or a new release on DVD, Blu-ray or other home entertainment formats.
‘Compliance Officers always classify content in line with our most recent Classification Guidelines to ensure our decisions remain in step with societal standards. This might mean that older content may require a higher or lower age rating.’
They added: ‘We understand from our racism and discrimination research, and recent classification guidelines research, that a key concern for people, parents in particular, is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.
‘Some language or behaviours are therefore not permitted at U or PG in any circ*mstance, or are wholly dependent on context. Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.’
The film was released to critical and commercial success, earning $44 million (£34.7mill) inthe box office for its original run.
Dick Van Dyke,David Tomlinson, andGlynis Johnsalso starred in supporting roles. Johns, whoplayed Winifred Banks, died aged 100 in January 2024.
The film was shot entirely at theWalt Disney StudiosinBurbank, California, using painted London background scenes.
Metro.co.uk has contacted BBFC for comment.
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