WARNINGS about the content of films shown in cinemas continue to cause me great amusement.

I note, for instance, that Potiche (Trophy Wife) is rated 15 and contains “moderate sex”.

Nothing too successful, then.

Also, there is a wellregarded foreign language film currently on show — A Separation — that has a PG classification (parent guidance) and contains “mild language”.

Heavens, is it really necessary to issue a warning like that?

There is probably nothing remotely mild about the language children learn in the school playground.

But my favourite current alert is for The Tree of Life — a Cannes festival winner starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, left.

It is rated 12A and “contains potentially dangerous behaviour”.

I don’t know what that is in this particular film, but in others through the decades there has been all sorts of conduct worthy of such a warning.

It includes people shooting at each other, the detonation of explosive devices, madcap car chases and breathtaking stunts involving James Bond.

And, if you ask me, it was never entirely sensible for Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road with only Toto for protection.