Original Beetlejuice (1988)

[DangerQuakeRhinoSnake]

It was a 15 originally. In 2018 it was reclassified to 12-A.

Why?

We just rewatched it and it's really not suitable for 12 year olds.

Why was it reclassified and why are our kids not protected in the same way they used to be from unsuitable material?

We used to be able to trust organisations to guide us as parents as to what's ok and what's not.

I don't know what the thinking is behind it?

We rewatched over the weekend with 6 and 7 year old boys - apart from the completely unnecessary swearing it was fine, not the least bit scary.

I don't know how or why but I watched it when I was 5 and had nightmares for weeks. I think a 12 year old would be fine though

My kids were much younger than 12 when they watched it.

They don't seem traumatised

Presumably because there was no 12 certificate in 1988?

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-us/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-beetlejuice-beetlejuice

The BBFC website explains classifications for films.

What about the sex shop, the suicide references, the sexual assaults, the constant focus on death...

Maybe I'm a prude but I just don't think it's right. Poor kids have to grow up so quickly these days.

I watched it as soon as it came out on video so I would have been 10/11, my sister also watched it, she would have been 6/7. Neither of us were scared or traumatised by it.

Those things go right over kid's heads unless they're pointed out. I didn't understand any of those references until I rewatched it as an adult.

Dd watched it when she was 11 and loved it. She's very excited to see the musical. I think the darker moments went completely over her head

Geez the reason DCs nowadays are so mentally ill is because they are too mollycoddled.

80s DCs routinely watched 'adult' (not porn) content.

12 year olds see actual porn in the school playground.

My 11 year old and 13 year old watched this last night. The 11 year old didn't notice the sex references - brothel etc. The 13 year old commented on the groping - 'that's assault ' - and we talked about it and why it's wrong.

As for the death references - sorry but YABU. It's a Tim Burton movie for heaven's sake, are you not familiar with his work? The film is a black comedy or comedy horror, it is all about death and dying.

It was one of my favourite films when I was about 10. Till today don't get the references you mention, it must have gone completely over my head.

I disagree that kids were protected from unsuitable material back then... many adults now, including me, were watching horror films as kids and many (non sexual/porn) 18 + films. It was normal. Kids are way more protected in that sense nowadays!

it's an interesting inversion. In general, ids watched a lot more adult material, or even just more mature, then. I see parents now who won't let young kids watch things like E.T. They also watched more things like TV shows that were aimed at adults. I remember watching The Jeffersons, or WKRP, for example, with my parents. M.A.S.H. There weren't children's shows in the evening.

Some things went over your head but also, in some ways I think kid's were more able to follow adult stories. I find a lot of lille kids now can't seem to follow or pay attention for a film like E.T. or Star Wars.

At the same time, kids just a bit older will see porn, and also I see them watching things like Game of Thrones at an age my parents would not have allowed sexual content lime that.

Because in 88 (I was 15 so remember it well!) there was either PG, which was widely misunderstood about what it actually meant, or 15. So they erred on the side of caution and went with the 15 certificate.

It was films such as this that pushed the 12 certificate to be a thing. One that older kids would be ok with, but might be a bit much for an 8 year old which under PG rules, an 8 year old could go and see. I believe it was the first Michael Keaton Batman film that was the first 12 rated film.

“The constant focus on death”

erm… you did get a heads up what it’s about didn’t you?

I watched it with my 13 yo the other evening who is quite young for his age. He wasn’t traumatised by it but he was concerned about “all the sexual assaults” (Beetlejuice kissing people against their will etc) and we had a chat about that. Which can only be a good thing when you think about it. His older sister had a similar reaction to watching Grease when she was 8.

I was 15 when it came out, and I found it vulgar and a bit smutty. I’d watch it again now to see if my view has changed, but I thought Michael Keaton was grotesque and unfunny at the time.

Funnily enough I was 15 too and thought the same. Was just all a bit......trying so hard to be shocking that it wasnt? Does that make sense?

Thanks I'm aware of Tim Burton and his style. That wasn't what my post was about though!

Blimey yes I know it's a theme of the film! I just happened to pick it as an example to show my concern. I'm sure there are plenty of old 15s that were reclassified. This just happens to be the one I posted about.

I'm obviously in the minority here so I shall bow out graciously. Thanks for your input and happy film watching!

I don’t know. I had quite a sheltered upbringing, and the crotch-grabbing and innuendo to Lydia made me feel really uneasy back then. Funny, I was remembering all this earlier this week as my train station has a complete advertising takeover, and I felt the creepiness of the ‘dirty man’ making me feel uneasy again.

I don’t know. I had quite a sheltered upbringing, and the crotch-grabbing and innuendo to Lydia made me feel really uneasy back then. Funny, I was remembering all this earlier this week as my train station has a complete advertising takeover, and I felt the creepiness of the ‘dirty man’ making me feel uneasy again.

I was born 1984 and watched this LOADS in primary school.

Was one of my favourite films.

Alongside Grease and Dirty dancing.

😅

Is it possible they made a few very minor cuts to turn it into a 12 from a 15?