Film Classification Explained

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 22

Film Classification Explained

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept 29. The reasons for the exclusion of babies and very young children from theatres showing films classed for persons over 16 only were explained this morning by the Film Censor (Mr D. C. Mclntosh). He was asked to comment

on a letter to a Wellington newspaper in which a mother complained she was refused admittance to a theatre showing such a film because she had her two-year-old daughter with her. She said she could not see how such a young child could be influenced by such a film. There were two sides to every question, said Mr McIntosh. The laws had been made not only to protect young children from films which might frighten them or otherwise influence them, but to allow patrons wishing to view mature films to see them without having to be disturbed by the crying of babies or the chatter of young children who might be bored and restless. Many such adult films were being made today and it would be wrong to censor them to make them fit for children to see. ’ There were plenty of'films released for general exhibition. About 85 per cent of those shown in this country were given this rating. It would be difficult to frame laws about admission to picture theatres which would satisfy everyone, but it was not practicable to make exceptions even in cases

where young children might sit quietly through the showing and in addition not suffer any ill effects from seeing a film classed as suitable for adult audiences, he said.