‘Mary Poppins’ Age Rating Changed in UK Over ‘Discriminatory Language’

“Mary Poppins” is getting a contemporary look in 2024 throughout the pond — its age score has been raised as a result of it options discriminatory language … which ain’t acceptable for all audiences.

Whilst you in all probability might have by no means seen the offensive time period within the live-action flick … the British Board of Movie Classification — generally known as the BBFC — is looking out the movie’s use of the phrase “Hottentots,” because it’s stated to be unsuitable for children.

It might sound like gibberish to us right here within the States — however that time period has historical past there in Britain. It is a dated phrase that is been deemed too racially offensive … and was used manner again within the day by European colonizers in Africa — particularly because it pertains to the Khoikhoi, an indigenous group from Southwestern Africa.

It is believed the time period “Hottentots” happened as an imitation of the group’s language, which featured clicks … and lately, it is an old-timey racially charged phrase that is not actually used anymore. And but, it is in “Mary Poppins.”

As for when the insensitive phrase is used within the beloved Disney film … it happens throughout one of many movie’s extra iconic moments — the “Step in Time” quantity led by Dick Van Dyke‘s Bert, the chimney sweep … when all the fellows have black soot protecting their faces.

Particularly, when Bert and his band of chimney sweeps break right into a rooftop dance … the Banks household’s eccentric neighbor, Admiral Growth (Reginald Owen) — who thinks he is nonetheless commanding a naval ship — declares, “We’re being attacked by Hottentots.”

Owen’s Admiral Bloom additionally says the time period firstly of the movie, when he asks the Banks kids … in the event that they’re “going to fight the Hottentots.” Keep in mind, this flick got here out within the Nineteen Sixties … so even then, it was a distinct time.

The shift in age score will hopefully assist involved dad and mom from exposing their kids to “discriminatory language or behavior,” which may very well be unintentionally repeated.