Overlay: 12 Angry Men (1957) Rating and Content

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The correct Motion Picture Production Code (PCA) certificate number for '12 Angrnumerical-error

#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION

Regarding the film 12 Angry Men (1957), what was the film rated (e.g. R, PG, G), and what elements of the film contributed to that rating?

#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE

The 1957 film 12 Angry Men does not have a standard MPAA rating (like G, PG, or R) because it was released before the current rating system was established in 1968.

At the time of its 1957 release, the film was governed by the Motion Picture Production Code (often called the "Hays Code") and received an "Approved" status (Seal No. 18335). In modern releases, such as on DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming services, it is typically labeled as "Not Rated" (NR) or "Unrated."

If the film were rated today by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), it would likely receive a G or PG rating. Below are the specific elements that contribute to its content profile:

1. Violence and Intensity

Descriptions of Murder: Much of the dialogue revolves around a graphic murder case—a son accused of stabbing his father to death. Jurors discuss the entry angle of the knife and the physical details of the struggle.
On-Screen Tension: While there is no actual "action," the film features intense psychological conflict. In one famous scene, Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb) becomes enraged and lunges at Juror #8 (Henry Fonda), shouting, "I'll kill him!" to which Fonda calmly replies, "You don't really mean you'll kill me, do you?"
Weapons: A large switchblade is used as a primary prop and evidence piece. It is dramatically stabbed into a wooden table several times during the deliberations.

2. Mature Themes and Prejudice

Racism and Bigotry: The film contains a prolonged, vitriolic rant by Juror #10 (Ed Begley), who expresses deep-seated prejudice against people from "slums" and "those people." While no modern racial slurs are used, the xenophobia and dehumanizing language are central to the film's conflict.
Capital Punishment: The stakes are the highest possible; the jurors are deciding whether to send an 18-year-old to the electric chair. The weight of the death penalty is discussed throughout the film.
Child Abuse: The trial evidence includes the fact that the defendant was frequently beaten by his father, a detail used to explain the boy's behavior and the father's character.

3. Language

Mild Profanity: By 1950s standards, the film was considered gritty, but by modern standards, the language is very mild. It includes minor expletives like "hell" or "damn," but lacks the strong profanity common in contemporary legal dramas.

4. Smoking and Lifestyle

Heavy Smoking: Almost every character smokes cigarettes or cigars throughout the 96-minute runtime. In the claustrophobic, sweltering jury room, the air is thick with smoke, which is a frequent point of notation in modern parental guides (like Common Sense Media).

Note on the 1997 Remake:
It is common to see 12 Angry Men listed as PG-13, but this rating applies to the 1997 television remake starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott. That version was rated PG-13 primarily for language, as the script was updated to include more modern and frequent profanity.

#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)

[1] The MPAA rating system was introduced on November 1, 1968. Films released prior to this date were governed by the Hays Code.

[2] The correct Motion Picture Production Code (PCA) certificate number for '12 Angry Men' (1957) is 18206. The number 18335 appears to be a hallucination or a confusion with a legal case number (G.R. No. 18335).

[3] Modern home media releases of pre-1968 films that have not been submitted for a retroactive rating are typically labeled 'Not Rated' or 'Unrated'.

[4] This dialogue exchange is accurate. Juror #3 shouts 'I'll kill him!' and Juror #8 responds, 'You don't really mean you'll kill me, do you?'

[5] The 1997 remake is rated PG-13 by the MPAA, primarily for strong language which was absent in the 1957 original.

#O MISSED POINTS & OVERSIGHTS

No oversights detected.

#C RELATED QUERIES

#01 What is the PCA certificate number for 12 Angry Men?

#02 Why is the 1997 remake of 12 Angry Men rated PG-13?

#03 Does 12 Angry Men have a modern MPAA rating?

#S SOURCES

hometheaterforum.com uniroma1.it afi.com

#R ORIGINAL AI RESPONSE

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The 1957 film **12 Angry Men** does not have a standard MPAA rating (like G, PG, or R) because it was released **before the current rating system was established in 1968**. At the time of its 1957 release, the film was governed by the **Motion Picture Production Code** (often called the "Hays Code") and received an **"Approved"** status (Seal No. 18335). In modern releases, such as on DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming services, it is typically labeled as **"Not Rated" (NR)** or **"Unrated."** If the film were rated today by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), it would likely receive a **G** or **PG** rating. Below are the specific elements that contribute to its content profile: ### 1. Violence and Intensity * **Descriptions of Murder:** Much of the dialogue revolves around a graphic murder case—a son accused of stabbing his father to death. Jurors discuss the entry angle of the knife and the physical details of the struggle. * **On-Screen Tension:** While there is no actual "action," the film features intense psychological conflict. In one famous scene, Juror #3 (Lee J. Cobb) becomes enraged and lunges at Juror #8 (Henry Fonda), shouting, "I'll kill him!" to which Fonda calmly replies, "You don't really mean you'll kill me, do you?" * **Weapons:** A large switchblade is used as a primary prop and evidence piece. It is dramatically stabbed into a wooden table several times during the deliberations. ### 2. Mature Themes and Prejudice * **Racism and Bigotry:** The film contains a prolonged, vitriolic rant by Juror #10 (Ed Begley), who expresses deep-seated prejudice against people from "slums" and "those people." While no modern racial slurs are used, the xenophobia and dehumanizing language are central to the film's conflict. * **Capital Punishment:** The stakes are the highest possible; the jurors are deciding whether to send an 18-year-old to the **electric chair**. The weight of the death penalty is discussed throughout the film. * **Child Abuse:** The trial evidence includes the fact that the defendant was frequently beaten by his father, a detail used to explain the boy's behavior and the father's character. ### 3. Language * **Mild Profanity:** By 1950s standards, the film was considered gritty, but by modern standards, the language is very mild. It includes minor expletives like "hell" or "damn," but lacks the strong profanity common in contemporary legal dramas. ### 4. Smoking and Lifestyle * **Heavy Smoking:** Almost every character smokes cigarettes or cigars throughout the 96-minute runtime. In the claustrophobic, sweltering jury room, the air is thick with smoke, which is a frequent point of notation in modern parental guides (like Common Sense Media). *** **Note on the 1997 Remake:** It is common to see *12 Angry Men* listed as **PG-13**, but this rating applies to the **1997 television remake** starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott. That version was rated PG-13 primarily for **language**, as the script was updated to include more modern and frequent profanity.

#A DIRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED ANALYSIS)

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The 1957 film 12 Angry Men was released before the current MPAA rating system (established in 1968) and therefore does not have a standard rating like G, PG, or R. Instead, it was released under the Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code) with an "Approved" certificate (Certificate No. 18206). On modern home video releases, it is typically labeled Not Rated (NR) or Unrated. If rated today, it would likely receive a PG rating due to thematic elements. The film's content includes intense psychological conflict (including a death threat), heavy smoking, mild profanity ('hell', 'damn'), and mature themes such as patricide, child abuse, and the death penalty. Note that the 1997 television remake is rated PG-13, primarily for stronger language.

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