Star Wars Phantom Menace Reclassified PG in UK for Moderate Violence

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace has been reclassified from a universal (U) rating to parental guidance (PG) by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) due to moderate violence in the film's lightsaber fight, including brief bloody details and a non-graphic shot of a villain's dissected body. The reclassification reflects concerns that some scenes might be unsuitable for more sensitive children, though it should not unsettle those aged eight and above. This change was part of the BBFC's 2024 annual report, which also noted other classification updates such as the 1937 film A Star Is Born moving from U to 12 due to an implied suicide, and the TV series Frasier being reclassified from PG to 12 for language and drug references. Conversely, some films like The Crow and Fight Club saw their ratings lowered from 18 to 15 following updated guidelines. The BBFC reported classifying the highest number of films in its 112-year history in 2024 and launched revised guidelines to better reflect contemporary audience standards, particularly for streaming services. Natasha Kaplinsky, BBFC president, highlighted progress in extending trusted age ratings to platforms like Prime Video and Netflix through new deals.