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00:00:00 – 00:11:06
The video explores the history and evolution of the Motion Picture Association's (MPA, previously MPAA) film rating system, established in 1922 to avoid government censorship. The rating system has undergone several changes in response to societal shifts and specific film releases. Significant milestones include the introduction of official ratings in 1968 due to films like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and subsequent adjustments such as renaming 'M' to 'PG' in the early 1970s. The need for a middle-ground rating led to the creation of PG-13 in 1984, following the release of "Gremlins" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Over time, the provocative X rating was replaced by NC-17 to signify adult content, though it quickly became stigmatized, affecting film profitability. Instances of films being edited to move from an NC-17 to an R rating (e.g., "American Pie") underscore this stigma. The current rating system, unchanged since 1996, faces criticism for its relevance and consistency, raising questions about whether it needs further updates to reflect modern standards.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains the history of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and its evolving film rating system. The organization was founded in 1922 to preempt government censorship by initially censoring films themselves. As societal norms changed, the MPA had to adapt. A significant shift occurred in 1966 with the release of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, a controversial film due to its sexual content and language, which led theaters to restrict audiences under 18. The film’s success despite its controversial nature prompted the MPA to introduce official film ratings in 1968. Initially, there were four primary ratings, including G for general audiences and R for restricted viewers under 16 without an adult.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the history and evolution of the MPAA movie rating system, focusing on the period from 1968 to the early 1980s. Initially, movie ratings included G, M, and R, where M stood for ‘mature audiences’ and advised parental discretion. However, there was confusion and misuse, leading to changes in 1970 when M was renamed to GP, which later became PG in 1972. The unofficial X rating signified films not suitable for viewers under 17. This segment also highlights the gap between PG and R ratings, which became evident after the release of “Gremlins” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in 1984, thereby exposing the need for the introduction of the PG-13 rating. The speaker mentions the unofficial ratings X, double X, and triple X, noting that the designation X was unregulated and could be applied at the filmmakers’ discretion.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the evolution and issues with movie ratings, particularly focusing on the emergence of the PG-13 rating and the replacement of the X rating with NC-17. The X rating originally indicated films not suitable for children, which later evolved to include double and triple X for softer and harder adult content, respectively. This led to a stigma that caused theaters and advertisers to avoid X-rated films due to their perceived explicit content. Steven Spielberg suggested the PG-13 rating to bridge the gap between PG and R, addressing the concerns raised by intense scenes in movies like “Gremlins” and “Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom.” The MPAA introduced NC-17 to replace the X rating, meaning no children under 17, but it became stigmatized as equivalent to triple X, making theaters and media hesitant to support NC-17 films. Consequently, NC-17 became associated with poor profitability, leading to its rare appearance in cinemas. The segment also includes an example with “The Conjuring,” which was intended to be PG-13 but was rated R by the MPAA for being too scary overall.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the discussion revolves around movie rating systems, particularly focusing on the differences between NC-17 and R ratings. It explains that some films initially receive an NC-17 rating but are later edited or appealed to secure an R rating, citing films like “American Pie,” “Boogie Nights,” and “The Godfather Part 3” as examples. The segment also notes that PG-13 is the most financially advantageous rating. It highlights instances where movies like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” were reduced from an R to a PG-13 rating through edits or appeals. The video also questions the consistency and relevance of the current rating system, noting that it has not been updated since 1996, and juxtaposes the ratings of films like “The Passion of the Christ” and “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” to illustrate ongoing debates regarding appropriate ratings for violence in films. Finally, it poses a question about whether society needs an updated movie rating system.