The British Board of Film Classification has raised the rating for the beloved children’s musical “Mary Poppins” to PG in Britain due to the use of discriminatory language. This comes as part of a trend of reevaluating and reclassifying films from the past to align with shifting cultural norms.
“Mary Poppins” includes two instances of an offensive racial slur towards an Indigenous group in South Africa, used by Admiral Boom in a conversation with a child named Michael. The slur is also repeated during a chimney sweeps dance sequence in the film. The movie was originally rated “U” when it was released in 1964 and reclassified as PG when it was resubmitted for a theatrical release in 2013.
The decision to change the rating was influenced by research on racism and discrimination, as well as feedback from parents concerned about exposing children to offensive language or behavior. This move is part of a broader effort to reassess and update the classification of films for current audiences.
Similar reevaluation of ratings has been seen in other films, including “Santa Claus: The Movie” and “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Changes in ratings can go both ways, with some films receiving higher ratings for violence or language, while others are downgraded.
Book revisions have also been common, with the Roald Dahl estate updating language in several books to make them less offensive. This trend of reevaluating and updating cultural content is not limited to films and extends to various forms of media.
“Mary Poppins” includes two instances of an offensive racial slur towards an Indigenous group in South Africa, used by Admiral Boom in a conversation with a child named Michael. The slur is also repeated during a chimney sweeps dance sequence in the film. The movie was originally rated “U” when it was released in 1964 and reclassified as PG when it was resubmitted for a theatrical release in 2013.
The decision to change the rating was influenced by research on racism and discrimination, as well as feedback from parents concerned about exposing children to offensive language or behavior. This move is part of a broader effort to reassess and update the classification of films for current audiences.
Similar reevaluation of ratings has been seen in other films, including “Santa Claus: The Movie” and “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Changes in ratings can go both ways, with some films receiving higher ratings for violence or language, while others are downgraded.
Book revisions have also been common, with the Roald Dahl estate updating language in several books to make them less offensive. This trend of reevaluating and updating cultural content is not limited to films and extends to various forms of media.