West Side Story reclassified over ‘sexist and transphobic’ language

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has reclassified 1961 musical West Side Story, raising its home entertainment rating from PG to 12. The decision comes after a review of language and themes now considered inappropriate for younger audiences.

The BBFC highlighted “occasional sexist and transphobic remarks” among its concerns, particularly dialogue directed at the character Anybodys, who is told to “go wear a skirt” - a comment deemed transphobic under modern standards. The film also contains discriminatory language, racial slurs, moderate violence, and references to sexual threat.

Despite these issues, the BBFC noted that the film delivers a “strong condemnatory message” against prejudice and violence. The reclassification follows previous PG ratings upheld since 1986, marking the first significant change in nearly four decades.

West Side Story, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and based on the Broadway adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, has previously held a PG rating since 1986, with re-evaluations in 1994, 2003, and 2005 confirming the same certificate. The recent reclassification marks the first shift in nearly 40 years.

On its official classification page, the BBFC highlighted the presence of “moderate violence, discrimination, sexual threat [and] implied strong language” and pointed out scenes involving “teenagers mock and misgender a person who is implied to be a trans man”.