Iconic Disney Film 'Mary Poppins' Receives New Age Rating in the UK Over Discriminatory Language
In recent times the film industry has been wrestling with strategies to address racist or offensive content in classic movies
In a move reflecting changing attitudes towards historical depictions in media, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has raised the age rating of the beloved children's classic "Mary Poppins" from U (Universal) to PG (Parental Guidance).
This decision stems from the film's use of discriminatory language, specifically the term "Hottentot," which is considered offensive due to its derogatory historical context.
"Mary Poppins," starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, released in 1964, has enchanted audiences for decades with its whimsical tale of a magical nanny and her adventures with the Banks family.
In "Mary Poppins," there are two instances where an offensive racial slur is used to describe an Indigenous group in South Africa. The first occurs when Admiral Boom asks Michael if he's going on an adventure to defeat this group.
Later, during a chimney sweeps dance sequence, Admiral Boom shouts that he's being attacked by "Hottentots." It's important to note that the dancers he sees in the distance are not Black Africans but white dancers with soot-blackened faces. This term is hurtful and reflects outdated attitudes towards certain ethnic groups.
A BBFC spokesperson stated, “While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language.”
According to the BBFC's PG content guidelines, certain scenes may not be appropriate for young children. They further suggest that although children of all ages can view the film, parents should assess whether the content might disturb younger or more sensitive children.
PG is the second-to-last severe rating among the six ratings in Britain. The most stringent rating is 18, which forbids anyone under that age from renting, purchasing or viewing the film in movie theaters.
Michele Aaron, professor of film and television studies at the University of Warwick, said, “Where the racism is more than a mere matter of one word, it’s really important that racist content does not go unchecked or undiscussed.”
The rating adjustment for "Mary Poppins" is part of a broader trend in recent years, where films have been reevaluated and reclassified by organizations like the BBFC. In 2023, "Santa Claus: The Movie" and "Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi" were both upgraded to PG due to mild violence and language.
Conversely, films like "Enter the Dragon" and "Friday the 13th" have seen their ratings lowered to 15. This reevaluation extends to the United States, where HBO Max removed "Gone with the Wind" in 2020 due to its controversial depiction of race relations.
Television series like "30 Rock," "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and "Scrubs" faced scrutiny for episodes featuring white characters in blackface. Similarly, Disney+ added disclaimers to 18 episodes of "The Muppet Show" in 2021, acknowledging negative depictions and aiming to spark conversations about cultural issues.
