to be slightly horrified a 15 film was shown to 11 year olds?

[plumandvanilla]

The film was Macbeth which they have been reading in English, but although it is Shakespeare aibu to think this is so inappropriate? Or will I be 'that parent'?

thebear Not if it is particular scenes. I know this version is often preferred as it shows better what Medieval life was like. So would make sense to pick out particular clips that showed this.

I thought they had to get parental permission to show children any film rated above their age - usually by way of a letter and reply slip. That what we had to do - and I have to do it now if I want to show Year 6 even a PG film. The only ones we can show without parental permission are U rated ones.

No we don't need permission; it is recommended by exam boards for film and by the BBFC. But, as I said upthread the BBFC would in now ay endorse 11 years olds watching a 15.

It was the whole film.

Was this in y 6 primary or y7 secondary?

I don't think you're being unreasonable, different things can be scary for different children and if they haven't got a choice in whether they can watch or not, it can be traumatic if something violent is happening and they feel forced to watch it.

We were shown Amistad in History at age 13, and lots of the class were completely traumatised and there were multiple parent complaints.

Well, clips is a different matter and makes more sense at this age.

Here you go:
The BBFC says
*The age rating for a DVD, video or Blu-ray explains which audience we believe the film is suitable for, and applies to point of sale or rental rather than to where the material is viewed. It is not actually illegal for schools to show BBFC-rated videos, DVDs or Blu-rays to its pupils of any age, just as parents may also choose to show any material to children in the home. Merely showing an age-restricted film to underaged persons - or allowing them to see one outside a licensed cinema - is not in itself an offence.

We would, however, strongly discourage such a practice unless (a) the children in question are only a year or so below the age stated on the certificate, and (b) there is a serious educational purpose to showing the recording (eg showing well-known works or educational films such as 15-rated Schindler's List to 14-year-old GCSE students). Even in such cases, schools should seek parental consent prior to showing the film. We would also recommend obtaining the approval of the Head Teacher and Governors. It is vital to make sure that any children watching are not likely to suffer any ill effects as a result of seeing the film.*

We were shown the Polanski Macbeth at school but at more like 14 – GCSE time.

Still underage if it is a 15.

It really stayed with me and is part of why Macbeth is one of my Shakespeare faves.

I realise though 14 is not the same as 11.

I'm just glad they're not showing the Fassbender one, which is dull as ditchwater.

Cross post - if indeed it was the whole film it seem a like such an odd decision to make. As if teacher hadn’t seen film before and just stuck it on and hoped for the best?! I’d be using Animated Shakespeare with that age group I think.

God, Amistad is GRIM.

I used it for GCSE English , with heavy heavy warnings to year 11.

I remember being shocked when I was at school and we were shown the version with the naked boy being washed. Isn't photographing and distributing footage of naked children illegal?

BonfiresOfinsanity I'm an English teacher and have never taught Hamlet to students younger than A level - the David Tennant version is very good and no more unsuitable than any other, considering it has to address incest and murder!

The Polanski film of Macbeth is well paced and visually very effective so a good teaching tool, but it IS very violent. I haven't seen it for years but if I remember Francesca Annis who plays Lady Macbeth has very long hair, so although she is nude very little is visible?

That's ridiculous as a 12 is 12A. Anyone of any age can watch it under the supervision of adults.... so long as the adults deem it OK.

Lots of people really don't seem to know the rules!!

Oh we saw that when it came out. The head came to be another adult and almost fainted.(he was a right old pearl clutcher though) Shocking in 1971, maybe not so much now.

I saw that version when I did GCSE many moons ago. I was 13. We probably just giggled at the nudity. I loved Macbeth at that age and was fortunate to see the live Jonathan Pryce stage version in 87.

I wouldn't mind my DT's watching it in the slightest and they're 11. One DT's school had to get consent to watch a 12 though.

er take out that apostrophe...

That film is nearly 2.5 hours long!! Are you sure that it was the whole film? I would confirm this before you make a complaint (if thats your plan).

I’d be annoyed. A few times the school have played PG rated movies which have given my girl nightmares. And they played Elf in p1, which although is a great movies does have some questionable language for a 5 year old.

Lots of people complained and now they send a note home asking for permission before they do it.

Disclaimer : DVD ratings are sometimes different from cinema release so technically DVDs are 12s, as it is about who can purchase the DVD but in the cinema Boy was a 12A.

Casino Royale was a 12A in cinemas and became a 15 when put on DVD!

film geek

I would be horrified (no slightly) about this and would definitely be 'that parent'. Too bloody late though.

Oh we watched Polanski’s version probably about 30 years ago.

Keith chegwin’s in it

Were they definately shown the whole film or highlights?

Ds & Dd both did Macbeth in Year 7/8 (different schools) as it was seen to appeal a bit more & they enjoyed working in the witches scenes in drama. Dd is doing Romeo & Juliet for actual GCSE.

I'm fairly laid back but I wouldn't have been happy that particular version being shown before Year 10.