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Not everyone is happy or agrees with the classification decisions the BBFC make. In 2006, the BBFC received over 400 complaints about the ratings it had given to films, DVDs and some computer games. Some people thought the categories given were too low. Some people thought the categories were too high. And in one or two cases, some people thought the category was both too high and too low. Some people believe there should be no censorship at all. Some people believe that there is not enough censorship.

Broadly speaking, the majority of complaints the BBFC receives are from people who believe the classification given to a film or DVD is not high enough or appropriate. The reasons cited will vary enormously, depending on the film and its content. Language, and the use of certain strong swear words, will often provoke a response - British audiences have always been peculiarly sensitive to bad language. Sex and violence will also elicit complaints. We also receive complaints that some horror films are too 'horrifying'! Films classified '12A' are the most complained about decisions. This often stems from parents misunderstanding the nature and intention of the rating, and allowing much younger children than is appropriate for the category to watch the films. In 2006, Casino Royale received the most complaints. It is interesting to note that complaints will often reflect contemporary issues and sensitivities. Current concerns voiced by the emails we have received recently include knife crime, racism, the so-called 'torture porn' and the (mis)treatment of animals.

It is not possible to predict how anyone will react to certain images and sounds in films or in DVDs, and viewers can respond adversely in ways that we do not anticipate. In one instance, the sight of bikini-clad women in a cinema deodorant advert reminded a woman painfully of her recent mastectomy, while the mistreatment and subsequent rejection of a young girl's companions in a cartoon upset one viewer's adopted child because she thought this meant she was to be returned to foster care.

On occasion, the BBFC is subject to campaigns organised by certain groups who wish to make a point, or who are concerned by a particular classification decision. This often happens with films that deal with a religious subject, such as The Last Temptation of Christ and Dogma. Recently the BBFC received nearly 600 identical letters from 'concerned parents' about smoking in  children's films. The BBFC's recent decision to refuse a certificate to the video game Manhunt 2 provoked a considerable response, in part orchestrated by online gaming sites and some magazines.

We endeavour to reply to all correspondence we receive. If it is a complaint about a classification decision, this will be passed to one of the examiners who viewed the film. If it is a complaint about a point of classification policy, the email is forwarded onto the appropriate specialist at the BBFC. All complaints are kept on file with the work's other records, and monthly and annual summaries are produced and circulated to the relevant BBFC staff for information. An overview of the year's complaints is published in the Annual Report. However, it should be pointed out that we will not respond to offensive or abusive emails or letters.

People will also complain about matters outside the function and responsibility of the BBFC, from noisy children disrupting screenings and the high price of soft drinks and popcorn in some cinema venues, to misleading trailers and how bad they thought a film was. We have received, on occasion, unusual complaints for which we have no answer. For example, one gentleman complained that the 'Bond babes' in Casino Royale were not attractive enough and wanted our help to start a campaign to return Sean Connery to the role of Bond. We politely declined his invitation.

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