A brief history of Danish Film Censorship

1896: The first film comes to Denmark. The commissioner of police in Copenhagen becomes responsible for the films.

1909: Polemics concerning the lack of censorship, and the potential danger that films may influence children in a harmful way by their brutalising or prurient content.

1910: The municipal of Frederiksberg (in Copenhagen) implements film censorship, which means that all films should be subjected to an educational censorship. Thus children under the age of 15 are not allowed in the cinema unless otherwise stated and approved by a censor through the commissioner of police.

1911: Cinema owners ask the Ministry of Justice for a nation-wide uniform censorship.

1913: A uniform censorship is implemented, and the National Board of Film Censorship established. The censorship is in practice to be handled by 3 censors appointed by the Ministry of Justice, and the age limit is raised from 15 to 16.

1922, 1933, 1938: The laws state that the National Board of Film Censorship must approve any public showing of live pictures unless children aged under 16 are not admitted. Films may be shown to children aged under 16 if the National Board of Film censorship has approved it for children of that age. Films may not be approved if they are deemed to be harmful to children aged under 16.

1960: A double age limit is introduced and set at 12 and 16 years old.

1969: A new film censorship law is passed. This means that the National Board of Film Censorship must approve all films publicly shown to children aged under 12 and 16. Film censorship for adults ceases to exist with reference to the principle of freedom of expression.

1980: The film censorship law is expanded to include video films and the double age limit is expanded to 7, 12 and 16 years old.

1995: Law concerning labelling of video films is implemented. Video films commercially sold, rented or otherwise disseminated publicly must be labelled with information as to their suitability for children aged under 12 or 16.

1997: The Minister of Culture changes and eases the law on film and video censorship. Hereby abolishing the National Board of Film Censorship in favour of the Media Council for Children and Young People. The age limits are changed and are at present as follows:

A-Approval of the film for general admittance

7-Approval of the film for general admittance, but not recommended for children under the age of 7

11-Approval of the film for admittance of children from the age of 11

15-Approval of the film for admittance of children from the age of 15

Parental guidance: Children from the age of 7 are allowed to see any film if accompanied by an adult (age 18 or above).

Report made by Ning de Coninck-Smith, associate professor, Ph.D.
Department of Contemporary Cultural Studies, Odense University.