THE A-TEAM

Extended Classification Information is available for this work. ECI may contain plot details and/or spoilers. Learn more » about ECI or Show details »

THE A-TEAM is an action drama based on the popular TV series. It focusses on a group of mercenaries on a mission to clear their names after being convicted of a war crime they did not commit. The film was classified '12A' for moderate violence and language and implied strong language.

The violence is frequent with plenty of fast-paced fights, chases and explosions. However, the emphasis is on action rather than on injuring people and very few blows are actually shown. There is also very little blood, with one apparently strong bloody moment towards the end of the film quickly revealed to be a trick. The BBFC's Guidelines at '12A'/'12' state that 'Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context'.

This film contains one use of moderate language, when a character describes himself as "sweating like a whore in church". There are also two uses of implied strong language, where it appears that characters are about to say the word 'motherf*****'. However, they only say the 'mother' part of the word, with the initial 'fu' simply being mouthed on one occasion. At '12A'/'12' the Guidelines state that 'Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, 'fuck') must be infrequent'.

The film also contains some mild bad language, including uses of 'asshole', 'hell', 'pissed off', 'bullshit', 'crappy', 'shit' and 'son of a bitch'. In addition, the members of the A-Team are occasionally shown performing acts which would be potentially dangerous if imitated, such as emptying the contents of a bullet onto a barbecue, or placing defibrillator pads onto the running engine of a vehicle. However, these actions do not involve everyday items and would be difficult for viewers to copy. Hannibal, the leader of the A-Team, is shown smoking a cigar in several scenes, but this is an established part of his character, familiar from the TV series, and is not shown in a manner likely to encourage younger viewers to start smoking.

Two reels from this film were originally shown to the BBFC in unfinished form to consider language issues. The company were advised that two inadequately obscured uses of 'motherfucker' would result in a '15' classification rather than the requested '12A'. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, the two uses of the term had been further obscured and the film was classified '12A'.