Mary Poppins Sparks Outrage After 2024 Rating Shift

Mary Poppins Becomes Most Complained About Film of 2024

A recent report has revealed that Mary Poppins, the beloved 1964 musical starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, has become the most complained about film of 2024. The film was rereleased in cinemas last year to celebrate its 60th anniversary, but it faced backlash over its new PG rating. Originally rated U, the film was reclassified due to the use of an offensive term, leading to 56 complaints.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is responsible for determining film ratings in the UK. They decided to change Mary Poppins to a PG rating because of the word “hottentots,” which appears twice in the film. The term is used by the character Admiral Boom, played by Reginald Owens, to describe soot-covered chimney sweeps. This word has a troubling history, as it was adopted by Dutch settlers in South Africa and later used to refer to all Black people. It is considered a racial slur.

Parents and viewers who contacted the BBFC argued that the term, while outdated, had appeared in other films and should not have led to a rating change. However, David Austin, the chief executive of the BBFC, stated that the use of the term without any criticism or condemnation could lead young viewers to repeat it without understanding the offense it causes. He emphasized that parents are concerned about children being exposed to discriminatory language that may be distressing or repeated without awareness.

In February 2024, a BBFC spokesperson told The Independent that although Mary Poppins has historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and it exceeds guidelines for acceptable language at the U rating. As a result, the film was classified as PG for discriminatory language.

Other Films with High Complaints

The BBFC received a total of 224 complaints in 2024. James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi thriller The Abyss came in second with 17 complaints. This was due to an online rumor that the 4K cinema release of the film had been canceled over concerns about a scene involving a live rat submerged in liquid. The BBFC clarified that when the film was first submitted in 1989, they felt the scene violated the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. Their stance on the scene has not changed, and it has been re-edited in all versions of the film since.

Another film that drew complaints was Dune: Part Two. The climactic knife fight between Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler’s characters was criticized 13 times. Some viewers felt that the 12A rating was too lenient for the intense content.

Emerald Fennell’s graphic dark comedy Saltburn also faced scrutiny. It received complaints for its 15 rating, with some viewers believing the depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for that classification. However, the report noted that Saltburn meets the standards for a 15 rating, as the key scenes, while strong, lack graphic nudity and other explicit visual content.

Conclusion

The BBFC's decisions on film ratings continue to spark debate among viewers and critics. While some argue that historical context should be considered, others emphasize the importance of protecting younger audiences from potentially offensive or distressing content. As films like Mary Poppins are revisited, the balance between preserving cultural heritage and addressing modern sensibilities remains a complex challenge.