Mary Poppins age rating has been raised in the UK

Note: This article contains offensive language.

Mary Poppins turns 60 this year and ahead of a re-release in cinemas next month, its age rating has been changed in the UK.

The classic musical was classified a U on its release in 1964 and was kept as a U in 2013 for a previous re-release. However, when it was submitted in February 2024 for its next re-release, the BBFC reclassified it a PG for “discriminatory language”.

Mary Poppins features two uses of the discriminatory term “hottentots”, a racially insensitive term for the Khoekhoe who are an indigenous group in South Africa.

The reclassification came as a result of the BBFC’s racism and discrimination research, as well as recent classification guidelines research.

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Watch Mary Poppins on Disney+

“A key concern for people, parents in particular, is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence,” a BBFC spokesperson told Digital Spy.

“Some language or behaviours are therefore not permitted at U or PG in any circumstance, or are wholly dependent on context. Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.

“While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language.”

Disney

The two uses of the discriminatory phrase are from Admiral Boom (Reginald Owen) who first asks Michael (Matthew Garber) whether he’s going on an adventure to “defeat hottentots”.

Later in the movie, Admiral Boom sees distant chimney sweeps, whose faces have been blackened by soot, and shouts, “We’re being attacked by hottentots”.

If you don’t want to wait for the theatrical re-release of Mary Poppins, the movie is available to watch now on Disney+.

Mary Poppins is being re-released in UK cinemas on March 29.

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