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'?

If you suspect they've watched a non edited version then it's illegal!

It really isn't.

From the BBFC:

"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."

My daughter (6) attends a film club at school and parents were asked to sign a permission slip for their children to watch PG rated movies. Regardless of whether you believe the content to be suitable - had parents been advised and even given an opportunity to watch the film first, then you could be in a better position to decide whether your child should watch it. Some children are more sensitive to adult themes than others and parents are better placed to determine what is acceptable viewing for their child. I personally don't think you are unreasonable. The school should have checked first.

As an English teacher I think a) Macbeth is inappropriate and wasted on year 7 b) it's not the teacher's decision to make whether the film is suitable when the children are not legal age. If the teacher, for some reason, wanted to show it they should have asked for parental consent. You are perfectly within your rights to mention it to the school, in my opinion. X

haha I tried that a couple of pages back. Fell on deaf ears.

IN NO WAY IS THIS SUITABLE

judas where on earth did you procure an 18 version of the Polanski from?? It's definitely a 15!

It was originally an AA- which equates to a 15
As a few people have mentioned it should reclassified
Suggested MPAA description: Rated 'R' for strong bloody violence, disturbing images and some nudity. -- IMDb Parents' Guide: Macbeth (1971)

Why are you shouting lillie ?

Because I'm more than a little horrified!

Wouldn’t be horrified at the age rating but seriously showing a film with nudity to 11 year olds will mean the only thing they will take away is giggling at break over the nudity - this will overshadow anything about the play. Probably the teacher trying to be cool!

But do you know who the MPAA are??

I am by the way in OP's corner that 11 is too young for this film ,and any 15s to be honest. But not because the moral crusaders at the MPAA say so.

From the parents guide I posted earlier, sounds Ike an 18 to me

ps the USA doesn't have a 15 rating.

But Lillie you haven't seen it!

It isn't appropriate for 11 year olds, mainly because it's pretty violent in places and also because they probably found it bewildering and boring.

I am sure you have seen some 18s in your time. Most horror films these days pass at 15. Macbeth nowhere near approaches most of these, let alone the 18s. The USA doesn't have 15 which causes them a host of problems. Most of our 15s are PG13s there which can be pretty stupid.

My son is 10, he watches lots of 12 movies, mainly superhero ones.
I rely a lot on that IMDb parents guide.

They are 12As.

Sigh. That's OK in cinema

On home DVDs you are making your own choice.

Some people argue that the cartoonesque violence of fantasy films actually does more damage to young minds' perception of harm and violence.

What are you sighing about?

It's not suitable at home or in the cinema, or in school, makes no difference.

I am sighing at

a) how many parents misunderstanding film ratings (the BBFC are aware of this and do publicity drives every so often)

and

b) that I have tried to explain ratings a few times on this thread -and the not actually a law- already

As Cannyapper said - and I am a Teaching Assistant - school should have sought parental permission first. It's not up to a individual staff to decide what is suitable - it opens a can of worms - from a professional point of view they should protect themselves by seeking parental consent first.

... and actually R is not the same as 18. There is a whole category above it (not often used) called NC-17. Parents in the US could choose to take a 12 year old to an R if they were so stupid inclined.

The BBFC have reclassified it Lillie, in 2002. They decided that a 15 certificate was appropriate.
www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/macbeth-1971

I think you're splitting hairs piggy

Whether it's 15 or 18, it's not appropriate for 11 year olds.
Excusing it because it's Shakespeare is bollocks.

If you bothered to look back on every single occasion I have said it is not appropriate for 11 year olds.