Why the age rating for ‘Mary Poppins’ just changed

“Mary Poppins” no longer has the equivalent of G-rating in the United Kingdom.

The British Board of Film Classification has changed the rating for the 1964 classic from U, indicating “no material likely to offend or harm,” to PG for discriminatory language ahead of its re-release in theaters for its 60th anniversary.

The musical, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, includes two uses of a derogatory term used initially by white Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, an indigenous group in South Africa.

“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,” the spokesperson for the BBFC said. “We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language.”

The term is used by the character Admiral Boom, played by Reginald Owen, and in one instance is used in reference to chimney sweeps whose faces are covered in soot.

“We understand from our racism and discrimination research, and recent classification guidelines research, that a key concern for people, parents in particular, is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behavior which they may find distressing or repeat without realizing the potential offense,” the BBFC spokesperson told Variety.

In the United States, “Mary Poppins” is still rated G, meaning suitable for all audiences.

“Mary Poppins” scored 13 Academy Award nominations and won five of them, including a Best Actress Oscar for Andrews and a Best Original Song Oscar for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

TMX contributed to this report.

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