Mary Poppins age rating raised over ‘discriminatory language’ 60 years after release-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Mary Poppins is now rated PG rather than U (Picture: Everett/Shutterstock)

The age rating for Mary Poppins has been raised from U (Universal) to PG (Parental Guidance), it has been reported.

The 1964 film follows Julie Andrews as nanny Mary Poppins, who injects fun into the lives of the stiff, well-to-do Banks family, by inspiring their mischievous children through magic.

The British Board of Film Classification has rated the magical nanny classic as such because of ‘discriminatory language’ according to their website.

The description justifies the rating with the language, and describes the film as ‘light and fun’ with a few ‘scary moments’ which are ‘quickly resolved’.

It is reported this was a recent move, and the discriminatory language revolves around the use of the Dutch term ‘Hottentots’ – a racially loaded term, originally used in the 17th century by white Europeans to describe the Khoikhoi, a nomadic indigenous population of South Africa.

Often thought of as one of the oldest people in the world, the Khoikhoi were driven off their land, with their social organisation damaged and destroyed by white colonial expansion.

The film sees one of the characters using a discriminatory word for the Khoikhoi people (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

As the Dutch took over land for farms, the Khoikhoi were dispossessed, killed, or enslaved. Those who chose to remain ended up as farm labourers for the invading settlers.

Admiral Boom, portrayed by Reginald Owen, uses the word twice throughout the film, directly referring to the Khoikhoi people each time.

At one stage, he dangles from the roof in a boat and asks if one of the Banks children are off to ‘fight’ them.

Later in the film when the chimney sweeps – with their faces blackened by soot – dance on the roof, he says we’re being ‘attacked’ by them, before aiming fireworks at the workers.

The Khoikhoi were driven off their land in South Africa by white colonials (Picture: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

The historical context of when the film was made was taken into consideration, but because the language is not condemned reportedly means it now exceeds guidelines for a U film.

The BBFC told Mail Online: ‘We understand from our racism and discrimination research… that a key concern for… parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.’ 

It added: ‘Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.

The film was released to critical and commercial success, earning $44 million (£34.7mill) in the box office for its original run.

Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns also starred in supporting roles. Johns, who played Winifred Banks, died aged 100 in January 2024.

The film was shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, using painted London background scenes.

Metro.co.uk has contacted BBFC for comment.

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