One of Hollywood's most celebrated musicals has been given a stricter age rating by British censors, more than six decades after its original release.
Why the BBFC changed the certificate
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has announced a new classification for the original 1961 film West Side Story, moving it from a Parental Guidance (PG) rating to a stricter 12 certificate for its home entertainment release. The decision, made in 2025, follows a routine assessment that identified several elements considered potentially unsuitable for younger children.
The board cited multiple reasons for the change. Key among them were warnings for 'sexism and occasional transphobic remarks'. This is understood to relate to the portrayal of the character Anybodys, a 'tomboy' figure who many contemporary viewers would now interpret as transgender.
Further concerns included 'moderate violence, sexual threat [and] discrimination'. The BBFC's insights note scenes where characters are stabbed with clear sight of knife impact, though without blood, and a shooting. The classification also highlights that 'characters occasionally smoke cigarettes and there are verbal references to alcohol addiction'.
A long history of a lower rating
The film, a classic adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York, was first classified by the BBFC in 1986 as a PG. It retained that rating through subsequent re-evaluations in 1994, 2003, and 2005. This latest review marks the first time its certificate has been raised in over 40 years.
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, with iconic music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the film has been a staple of family viewing for generations. The PG rating meant it was deemed suitable for general viewing, with parental guidance suggested for younger children.
Part of a broader trend in classification
This reclassification follows a similar move by the BBFC, which recently also raised the age rating for Wicked: For Good. The UK's film classification body updates its guidelines every four or five years following public consultation, reflecting evolving societal attitudes towards language, representation, and on-screen content.
The shift for West Side Story underscores how cultural perceptions of issues like gender identity and discrimination have changed significantly since the film's premiere in 1961. While its artistic merits and status as a cinematic landmark remain unchallenged, the BBFC's decision indicates a modern sensitivity to content that may now be viewed as outdated or harmful.
