I think that the trailers get rated at the same level that the film has been rated at. So in effect, no they don't rate the trailers, but the trailers do carry a rating. That's why we see the yet to be classified on lots of trailers. In that situation I don't think that there is any hard and fast rules about what you can screen what with, and common sense should be used. That said, common sense aint so common.

I also think that our classification board does give out the exemptions for trailers so that they can be run with films of a lower classification. Regardless, a trailer with a rating on it (this film has been classisfied M etc) cannot run with a lower rated feature film.

Maybe someone out there may have closer dealings with the classification board and may know the exact letter of the law.

Trailers are classified as either "Passed" or "Not Passed". Then when the film is classified, the trailer will get that rating. There are execptions, and sometimes kids movie trailers rated PG can be shown with a G rated movie.

Look at www.oflc.gov.au for more info. Do a database search for the film "Chopper" for a good example.

G - General (suitable for all audiences)

PG - Parental Guidance (some material unsuitable for very young children)

PG-13 - Parent or Legal Guardian must accompany children under 13

R - Restricted (Parent or Legal Guardian must accompany children under 17)

NC-17 - (was X) No children under 17 admitted

Not Rated - kind of a general warning, as in we haven't watched it, watch at your own risk

Of course, none of this has the force of law. It is a voluntary program established by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) and theatre owners / operators. As for trailers, there are two ratings. Green Band - approved for all audiences and Red Band - use only with R or NC-17. That's the only guide and also has no force of law.

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welcome to the forum, good to see another Melbournian, there is a few of us now.

Paul Cunningham

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And f**k jazz too!

This is really a can of worms. I feel here in Australia the trailer should be rated. In holidays we have "G" rated shows running with hardly any trailers because there is nothing we can run with them.

Likewise an "R" trailer does not even have the chance to be promoted on screen unless it is with other "R" shows. If they cut a trailer without the offending material it could be shown in "M" and "MA" films.

Yeah, how many projectionists from Melbourne actually do contribute here??? I know of plenty more lurkers from this city too.

The http://www.filmratings.com site lists the R rating as "R - Restricted, Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian". I guess enforcement depends upon how your state defines "adult" and "guardian". But don't most theatres maintain the right to refuse admission to "Anyone", at their discretion (within applicable anti-discrimination laws)?

But, if the MPAA did drop it, why? It just looks bad, especially at a time when the whole subject is being looked at closely by the government.

Also, while it's true "we reserve the right to refuse admission," that's pretty tough going when someone is right in your face, with a lobby full of people. They will always challange the definintion of a word or phrase. It's hard enough to enforce the rating system without it being undermined from within the industry.

Maybe I'm overdoing it, but while "legal" is a small word, it did define the scope of the "R" rating to include local law. Theaters could say, "The local law decides who is/is not a parent or adult guardian, not us."