Mary Poppins now rated PG because of discriminatory language

Actors Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke

Six decades after it was first released, “Mary Poppins” is getting a new rating in the U.K. due to “discriminatory language.”

The British Board of Film Classification increased the 1964 Disney film’s rating from U, suitable for all audiences with “no material likely to offend or harm,” to PG, parental guidance suggested as “some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.”

The change is due to the film’s usage of a derogatory term for the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic herders in South Africa. A character uses the term twice to describe chimney-sweeps whose faces were covered in soot.

“While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language,” the BBFC said in a statement to NBC News.

“We understand from our racism and discrimination research, and recent classification guidelines research, that a key concern for people, parents in particular, is the potential to expose children to discriminatory language or behavior which they may find distressing or repeat without realizing the potential offense,” the statement continued.

The board said it reclassified the rating because the film, which stars Julie Andrews as a quintessential English nanny, is set to be re-released in theaters for its 60th anniversary.

The movie still has a G rating in the United States.