ATTACK THE BLOCK

ATTACK THE BLOCK is a comedy sci-fi horror film about a young nurse and a gang of teenage boys who are forced to defend their London tower block from an alien invasion. The film was classified '15' for strong language, violence, gore and soft drug use.

The film contains over 40 uses strong language. This exceeds the terms of the BBFC's '12A'/'12' Guidelines where 'The use of strong language (for example, 'fuck') must be infrequent' but is permissible at '15' where the Guidelines state 'There may be frequent use of strong language'.

Strong violence is present throughout the film, including a robbery at knife point and frequent grisly attacks by aliens upon humans. The gang make use of a variety of weapons with which to defend themselves from the creatures, including baseball bats, large swords and handguns. Gore is involved in scenes where the aliens tear at people's throats and faces or cause blood to spurt from their mouths. At one point a decapitation is briefly implied, and there is regular sight of blood on victims killed by the invaders. The strength of the violence is offset by the comic tone and the fantastical nature of the film. Furthermore, there is no dwelling on injury detail. The Guidelines at '15' state 'Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable'.

The Guidelines at '15' also state 'Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse'. Soft drug use is seen as some members of the gang roll, smoke, and pass around marijuana joints. One character, an older man, has a marijuana farm in his flat. A villainous character also deals drugs, including cocaine, although this is not seen to be used. Several characters are shown to have their judgement and abilities impaired by smoking joints, and the hero rejects drug dealing and chooses not to smoke anything before an important mission.