Film censorship in the United Kingdom

Film censorship in the United Kingdom began with early cinema exhibition becoming subject to the Disorderly Houses Act 1751.

[2]: 497  After the Act began to be used by local authorities to control what was shown, the film industry responded by establishing a British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) in 1912, funded by an Incorporated Association of Kinematograph Manufacturers levy.

[2]: 499 The Cinematograph Exhibitors Association sought to have the BBFC film certification recognised over local decision-making.

[3] Local Councils did continue to refuse showing of particular films which had been certificated by the BBFC: examples are the bans on The Devils[4] and Life of Brian[5] in Glasgow.

[6] The BBFC (by this time renamed as British Board of Film Classification) became that designated authority in 1985.