The renowned Mary Poppins film has been reclassified with a PG rating after it was deemed to contain “discriminatory language,” drawing a heated response.
The British Board of Film Classification ruled that the 1964 film depicting Julie Andrews as the beloved and magical nanny includes content that is “unsuitable for young children,” according to a report.
The board ruled that the film’s inclusion of the word Hottentots, a historical reference to nomadic Khoekhoe herders in South Africa that was used by Europeans, is now racially offensive.
The word is said twice in the film: once when Admiral Boom, who was played by Reginald Owen, asks the Banks children if they are “going to fight the Hottentots” and another time when he declares he is being “attacked by the Hottentots” as the chimney sweepers, covered in chimney soot, are dancing on the roof.
“We understand from our racism and discrimination research,” the BBFC said, “that a key concern for … parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behavior which they may find distressing or repeat without realizing the potential offense.”
“Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating,” the board added.
Before the new PG classification, the BBFC had given the film a U rating, suggesting it was “universal” and “suitable for all.”
The new rating was chided on social media.
“What a sad state of affairs,” one user wrote on X. “After 60 years the UK age rating for the Mary Poppins movie has been raised because of ‘discriminatory language.’”
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Another comment on X suggested a misplacement of concern: “People are dying in the streets, and some bright spark thinks we need protecting from Mary Poppins? This world terrifies me.”
“According to the left, children are fully capable of consenting to hormone replacement therapy and mastectomies. But watching Mary Poppins is a bridge too far,” another user wrote.
