London, England – The age rating for the beloved 1964 film “Mary Poppins” has recently been adjusted in the U.K. due to concerns of “discriminatory language.” The British Board of Film Classification made the decision to raise the cinema rating of the Disney classic from U to PG, citing the presence of “discriminatory language” in the film.
In a statement provided to media outlet Variety, a spokesperson for the BBFC explained that the movie includes two instances of the use of the term “hottentots,” which is considered racially insensitive towards the Khoekhoe indigenous group in South Africa. This term was used by the character Admiral Boom when referring to chimney sweeps whose faces were covered in soot.
The decision to change the film’s rating was based on research conducted by the BBFC on racism and discrimination, as well as recent classification guidelines research. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of preventing children from being exposed to discriminatory language or behavior that could be distressing or potentially harmful.
Despite its historical context, the use of discriminatory language in “Mary Poppins” was deemed unacceptable by the BBFC, leading to the adjustment in the film’s rating. The spokesperson highlighted that certain language or behaviors are not permissible in films rated U or PG, regardless of the context.
“Mary Poppins,” starring Julie Andrews as the magical nanny and Dick Van Dyke as Bert, captivated audiences upon its release and has remained a classic ever since. The film has since been adapted into a successful Broadway musical and received a sequel, “Mary Poppins Returns,” in 2018, with Emily Blunt taking on the role of Poppins alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda. Van Dyke also made a delightful appearance in the sequel.