Violent cartoons prompt call to update 'U' rating

Film censors faced calls yesterday to overhaul the classification system for children's cartoons after a study of every feature-length animation ever made found the genre has become increasingly violent.

Film censors faced calls yesterday to overhaul the classification system for children's cartoons after a study of every feature-length animation ever made found the genre has become increasingly violent.

Child health experts in America said that on average the amount of death and mayhem has risen by more than 50 per cent since the release of the first cartoon movie in 1937, Disney's classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The report, produced by Harvard University's school of public health, said the genteel narratives of childhood favourites, such as Dumbo and Winnie The Pooh, have been replaced by U-certificate "nasties" with large amounts of aggression and destruction. On average the amount of violence has risen from six minutes per film in the 1940s to 9.5 minutes in the 1990s.

A 1998 film, Quest for Camelot, was found to be the most violent of 74 cartoon films for children, with scenes of killing or fighting making up 28 per cent of the running time. One scene, in which a two-headed monster is repeatedly cleaved in two, was noted by the authors as typical of the images being seen by youngsters.

The report saidthat nine of the 10 most violent films were made in the past 10 years.

The researchers used a broad definition of violence, ranging from "funny" - Dumbo shooting peanuts from his trunk - to "sinister" - the mother deer in Bambi being shot by a hunter.

Kimberly Thompson, one of the authors, said cartoon killings and beatings could still influence the attitudes and behaviour of the children.

"A 'U' rating does not now automatically signify a level of violence acceptable for young viewers," she said. "Parents should not overlook video cassettes and movies as sources of exposure to violence. While the amount of slapstick violence is relatively constant, the amount with intent to injure has increased. The authorities should consider changing the age-based ratings to a system based on content."

The study pointed to the Disney hit, A Bug's Life - the second most gory film (19.3 per cent of its content judged to be violent) - as an example of one that should have its violence highlighted to parents. It tells the tale of an ant colony fighting for survival against malevolent grasshoppers.

Ms Thompson and her colleagues said a system used by several websites, which rates films on categories including violence and gore, was what parents wanted.

But the British Board of Film Classification defended the current age-based system, pointing out that violence or the suggestion of violence has long played a part in children's entertainment. A spokeswoman said: "It is unlikely there would be anything in a 'U' film that would present a problem for children aged four and over. Children know the difference between cartoons and films and real life.

"It has to be remembered that violence has always been a strong element of children's stories across the world - you only have to look at something like Little Red Riding Hood to see that is the case."

The researchers found that 62 per cent of all cartoons featured at least one killing. A majority of the violent scenes (55 per cent) featured good or neutral characters fighting bad characters, with the latter coming off worse. They suffered 71 per cent of fatal injuries, 40 per cent of the total injuries and were 23 times more likely to die than their righteous rivals.

Ms Thompson said the underlying message was a disturbing one. "There is a striking behavioural message implied by many of the films that the good guys triumph over the bad ones through physical force," she said.