the problem with 12a

The 12a certificate was launched by the BBFC on August 30th 2002.  It allowed parents to take their under twelves, to movies that they would previously have been barred from.  By replacing the 12 rating with 12a, the BBFC managed to defuse a growing problem where parents would complain that they couldn't take their kids to see the latest blockbuster, (in 2002 it was Sam Raimi's Spider-man), There would then be a bit of a media campaign, which would cause local authorities (the ultimate regulator of cinemas), to lower the certificate.  In one area the movie would be a PG, in another area it would be a 12.  The introduction of 12a managed to put a stop to all this.  It also allowed the BBFC to rate the final five Harry Potter movies at 12a, without any criticism.  Everyone was happy.

Flash forward to 2012 and a little problem is emerging with the 12a and it started to become apparent with the release of The Woman in Black.  This is the first Daniel Radcliffe movie that has been released since the Harry Potter saga ended.  It was submitted to the BBFC and received a 15 certificate, the distributor wanted a 12a and so allowed six seconds of cuts to; reduce moments of strong violence / horror and in addition to the 6 seconds of visual cuts, substitutions were also made by darkening some shots and by reducing the sound levels on others (BBFC.com).  Why did they want the lower classification? Because a 12a has a far wider audience and a large part of Dan's audience will be twelve or under.  The trick worked and The Woman in Black became the most successful British horror movie ever.  

Example two is The Hunger Games, as BBFC.com explains:

This work was originally seen for advice in an unfinished form. The company was advised that the film was likely to receive a '15' certificate but that their preferred '12A' classification could be achieved by making a number of cuts and visual reductions. When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, cuts had been made in four scenes of violence and in one scene showing details of injuries. These reductions were implemented by a mixture of visual cuts, visual darkenings and the digital removal of sight of blood. In addition to the reductions already made during the 'advice' process, the Board required further reductions in one scene following formal submission of the finished feature....The company chose to make cuts in order to achieve a '12A' classification. A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury. These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy. An uncut '15' classification was available. 

There seem to be a couple of problems here, firstly the BBFC have made a lot of effort over the past few decades to evolve from a being a censor, to a classifier.  Cutting movies seems to be closer to the former, than the latter.  The second problem is that these movies are only being cut to make more money.  The 12a doesn't simply bring kids that are 12, 13 and 14 into the cinemas; it also brings families with 7, 8 and 9 year olds.  It adds a huge audience for a movie, and the chances of seeing the movie as the director intended are sadly reduced.