1980

1980
Tinto Brass' Caligula - problems occured after shooting and Guccione added some of his own material which was hard-core pornography.
The film arrived in the UK with the reputation of being 'the most controversial film of the eighties' and it was seized by Customs and Excise officials and was then seen by the BBFC together with lawyers and Custom officials so any footage that was in danger of breaching UK law could be removed.
After 6 months, the film was released with a 'X' certificate and passed '18' uncut in 2008.

1982
'A' was changed to 'PG'
'AA' was changed to '15'
'X' was changed to '18'
A new category 'R18' was introduced which permitted more explicit sex films to be shown in members-only clubs.

The development of the video recorder created new anxieties about home viewing of feature films as there was no requirement that videos should be classified. VIDEO NASTIES

1984
The outcome of this concern was new legislation introduced as a private member's Bill by Conservative MP, Graham Bright. The Video Recordings Act made it an offence for a video work to be supplied if it has not been classified or to supply a classified work to a person under the age specified in the certificate.

1985
The Board was designated as the authority with responsibility for classification .
At request of the industry, the 'Uc' was introduced for video only to identify works specifically suitable for very young children to watch alone.

1989
The BBFC introduced the '12' certificate on film to bridge the huge gap between 'PG' and '15'. The first film ti be given a '12' rating was Batman.