“Mary Poppins” is getting a fresh look in 2024 across the pond — its age rating has been raised because it features discriminatory language … which ain’t appropriate for all audiences.
While you probably may have never noticed the offensive term in the live-action flick … the British Board of Film Classification — commonly referred to as the BBFC — is calling out the film’s use of the phrase “Hottentots,” as it’s said to be unsuitable for youngsters.
It may sound like gibberish to us here in the States — but that term has history there in Britain. It’s a dated phrase that’s been deemed too racially offensive … and was used way back in the day by European colonizers in Africa — specifically as it pertains to the Khoikhoi, an indigenous group from Southwestern Africa.
It’s believed the term “Hottentots” came about as an imitation of the group’s language, which featured clicks … and these days, it’s an old-timey racially charged word that isn’t really used anymore. And yet, it’s in “Mary Poppins.”
As for when the insensitive phrase is used in the beloved Disney movie … it occurs during one of the film’s more iconic moments — the “Step in Time” number led by Dick Van Dyke‘s Bert, the chimney sweep … when all the guys have black soot covering their faces.
Specifically, when Bert and his band of chimney sweeps break into a rooftop dance … the Banks family’s eccentric neighbor, Admiral Boom (Reginald Owen) — who thinks he’s still commanding a naval ship — declares, “We’re being attacked by Hottentots.”
Owen’s Admiral Bloom also says the term at the start of the film, when he asks the Banks children … if they’re “going to fight the Hottentots.” Remember, this flick came out in the 1960s … so even then, it was a different time.
The shift in age rating will hopefully help concerned parents from exposing their children to “discriminatory language or behavior,” which could be unintentionally repeated.
It went from being rated U (their version of rated-G) to PG … so, there ya go!
