‘Lunatics’: Fury over change to Mary Poppins movie classification

The classification of Disney classic Mary Poppins has been changed due to an “offensive” word, sparking a furious backlash.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan has led the furious reaction over a recent change to the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins.

The movie’s age rating was recently lifted because over fears children could be exposed to “discriminatory language”.

Mary Poppins' rating has been upped from a U to PG after officials said it included 'discriminatory language'

Mary Poppins, which stars Julie Andrews, is now considered unsuitable for children ahead of its 60th anniversary. The film will be shown in some UK cinema screens next month.

Originally released with a U rating - meaning it contains no material likely to offend or harm - the world-famous movie was last week upped to a PG.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) reached the verdict after analysing a scene with Julie Andrews and Reginald Owen’s Admiral Boom.

BBFC were prompted to reclassify it over the use of the word Hottentots, according to MailOnline.

Now a dated term, it was historically used by Europeans to refer to the Khoekhoe, who are a group of nomadic herders in South Africa.

But it is now regarded as racially offensive, The Sun reports.

There are two scenes including Reginald Owen’s Admiral Boom where the word is used.

In one clip the Admiral uses the word to describe chimney sweepers.

During the scene, which prompted the reconsideration, character Admiral Bloom used the word twice.

At first, he is dangling from the roof in a boat and asks the Banks children if they are “going to fight the Hottentots”.

Later on in the film, a group of chimney sweepers, whose faces are blackened with soot, dance on the roof.

The admiral then says, “We’re being attacked by Hottentots,” before shooting fireworks at them.

In another scene, he’s on a boat and asks the Banks children about fighting them.

It is understood that the historical context of the film, being in an early 20th century London, was looked into.

But the BBFC found that the language exceeds it being a U.

The BBFC said: “We understand from our racism and discrimination research... that a key concern for... parents is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.

“Content with immediate and clear condemnation is more likely to receive a lower rating.”

The change was met with howls of disapproval from some quarters online, with Piers Morgan leading the charge as the topic trended on X. “Are there no depths the woke lunatics won’t plunge to suck the joy out of our lives?” he grumbled.

Another fan griped: “Mary Poppins just about the most family friendly film you could ever watch has had its rating changed from U to PG this is absolutely crazy it’s another example of Political Correctness gone MAD!”

- with The Sun

Originally published as ‘Lunatics’: Fury over change to Mary Poppins movie classification