BBFC 1980s

• Development of the video recorder created new anxieties in home viewing of feature films
• There was legally no requirement that videos should be classified which meant that films which hadnt been approved or were only suitable for adults, were falling into the hands of children
• Tabloid press led a campaign against soc aled 'Video Nasties'
• There were 70 titles that had either been prosecuted by the DPP under the OPA or were awaiting prosecution
• The Video Recordings Act 1984 made it an offence for a video work to be supplied if it had not been classified or to supply a work to a person under the specified age in the certificate

• In 1982, A was changed to PG, AA was changed to 15 and X became 18
• A new category R18 was introduced which permitted more explicit sex films to be shown in members-only clubs
• Since the mid 1980s, R18 material is mostly released on video and is only available from a limited number of sex shops which must be licensed by local authoritie