Does a horror film need the flexibility of a high rating to be truly scary?

[Darth Elektra]

Most theaters dont accept NC-17 rated movies, I know my 3 (14 screens plus) have that policy.

 

[Iceman]

I might have been getting confused over the American ratings system in my first post. In England we have ratings by the minimum age that you can view a film including 18, 15 and 12. I assumed that NC-17 was equivalent to the 18 rating and that PG-13 was equivalent to 12. Is there an American equivalent to the 15 rating?

 

[Majik1387]

If a movie is rated R, people under 17 are allowed in if accompanied by someone 17 or older.

If a movie is NC-17, noone under 17 is admitted, whether accompanied by a guardian or not.

That's either not true or many movie theaters are getting lazy, old and young. When I was 17, I always bought tickets to R movie alone as I waited for my friends to arrive and they gave it to me no problem.

 

[The Dark Defender]

No, you'll hardly ever, if ever see them in a mainstream theatre.

That's why big name studios don't release them, they'll be lucky to get them on a few hundred screens.

 

[Iceman]

Jaws. Rated PG. It's probably is the scariest non-R rated horror flick IMO.

Ha I forgot all about Jaws . As someone said above (EDIT Stormyprecious), I'm not sure what rating it would receive today but it's certainly a great film and one for which several pairs of pants come in useful.

 

[Darth Elektra]

I might have been getting confused over the American ratings system in my first post. In England we have ratings by the minimum age that you can view a film including 18, 15 and 12. I assumed that NC-17 was equivalent to the 18 rating and that PG-13 was equivalent to 12. Is there an American equivalent to the 15 rating?

Not really.

 

[Mr.Webs]

But of course, then we have the older Hitchcock films, like Psycho and The Birds. What are those currently rated?

 

[The Dark Defender]

That's either not true or many movie theaters are getting lazy, old and young. When I was 17, I always bought tickets to R movie alone as I waited for my friends to arrive and they gave it to me no problem.

Yes, alot of theatres just doin't give a ****, but that is the official rule for the rating.

At my theatre, I was ID'd to get into R rated films sometimes into my late teens and even early 20's.

 

[The Dark Defender]

But of course, then we have the older Hitchcock films, like Psycho and The Birds. What are those currently rated?

I think PG, but there were hardly any really violent or sexually explicit movies back then.

 

[Majik1387]

The highest rating the Hitchcock movies get today would be nothing higher than PG.

 

[Iceman]

But of course, then we have the older Hitchcock films, like Psycho and The Birds. What are those currently rated?

Psychological thrillers without graphic action would probably be treated very generously by today's ratings. I think Hitchcock films are great examples of how to scare people without overusing action or gore.

 

[Mr.Webs]

Hence why'd they would be perfect for the younger audience interested in horror films. Maybe not Psycho, because that movie is just screwed up, but The Birds is pretty good.

 

[Iceman]

Hence why'd they would be perfect for the younger audience interested in horror films. Maybe not Psycho, because that movie is just screwed up, but The Birds is pretty good.

The Birds is probably the best example that I've heard so far of a film that is scary with hardly any censorable content. I'll have to rewatch it asap to rediscover what makes it tick.

 

[Mr.Webs]

I have no idea has to how it works...that's the thing with the Hitchcock films. Maybe it's the same thing as to why books are better than films. Your imagination makes up a better picture than anything else could, and Hitchcock's lack of graphic visuals provide that.

 

[Iceman]

I have no idea has to how it works...that's the thing with the Hitchcock films. Maybe it's the same thing as to why books are better than films. Your imagination makes up a better picture than anything else could, and Hitchcock's lack of graphic visuals provide that.

Very true. The imagination is a very powerful weapon for horror and I scare myself thinking of things that might happen in ways that authors/filmmakers probably did not even intend.

 

[Mr.Webs]

And whenever the gore is used, it's usually perfect (the bloody farmhouse bedroom in 'The Birds').

That's why Hitchcock is still known as one of the best.

 

[xwolverine2]

my scariest movie ever:what lies beneath...........i think it was pg-13

 

[Iceman]

And whenever the gore is used, it's usually perfect (the bloody farmhouse bedroom in 'The Birds').

That's why Hitchcock is still known as one of the best.

Agreed.

my scariest movie ever:what lies beneath...........i think it was pg-13

Yeah I just checked and it's PG-13. I haven't seen it yet though.

 

[KenK]

I just hate when monster-based horror films try to be PG-13. Cursed, The Cave, etc.

 

[Iceman]

Too many films go for PG-13 nowadays. It's all about maximising revenue rather than making the best possible film.