10. Notting Hill
This one is classic. Starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, the story takes place in a charming London neighborhood of the same name that shapes the plot of the movie. Upon repeat viewings, you realize there is little chemistry between the leads and their love story is incomprehensible, but London – the movie’s biggest character – makes up for the talent deficit. They captured the neighborhood well, perhaps too well since now it’s even more of a tourist destination on the weekends. It’s hard to move around it’s crawling with so many tourists! There really is a Travel Bookshop in Notting Hill and it’s worth the visit.
Notting Hill Trailer:
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9. Love, Actually
This is very nearly one of those perfect romantic comedies. Set during Christmastime in London, it concerns the trials and tribulations in love of a loosely connected group of people. People who all live hip and cool lives that you really wish you were a part of. Some of the plot threads are sad, not necessarily happy but the subject is love in all it’s forms, warts and all. It’s charming and has become my favorite Christmas movie, if anything because Billy Mack is hilarious.
Love, Actually Trailer:
Purchase:
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8. Pride and Prejudice
I’ve never been a fan of Jane Austen so I only look at this movie as it’s own creature. I love it. I love the scenery, the culture, the plot, music, everything. The end where the couple meets on the cool English morning as the sun rises is a perfect representation of what it’s really like to walk through the English countryside in the morning. When I watch it, I’m literally in Dorset, walking across the hills and valleys. A lovely movie, even if it doesn’t keep to the book well.
Pride and Prejudice Trailer:
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7. About a Boy
This isn’t your typical romantic comedy, in fact there isn’t much romance in it at all. It’s mostly about the relationship between a selfish materialistic man and a boy crying out for a father figure. Despite some serious subject matter, the movie works and has enough funny moments to make up for the serious bits. Hugh Grant does a great job playing himself, a self absorbed douchebag.
About a Boy Trailer:
Purchase:
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6. Bridget Jones Diary
Though Bridget Jones herself can be a rather annoying person, the movie is still great fun. Colin Firth is a great lead and he mellows out the insane Bridget in many scenes. The real London locations are marvelous as are her stereotypical British friends. Avoid the sequel though, it’s a piece of crap. My wife and I were very disappointed.
Bridget Jones Diary Trailer:
Purchase:
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5. The Queen
The Queen of England has generally been off limits for movies and dramas, so this movie breaks significant ground in portraying the venerable monarch. We get to see the inner working of the Royal family as well as a portrait of a person whom is generally thought to not have a real personality. The sets and scenery are amazing. It’s a wonderful film that takes place during a time of great change in Modern Britain. A very moving picture.
The Queen Trailer:
Purchase:
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4. V for Vendetta
This is also a rather serious movie, dealing with themes such as the moral relativism of terrorism, totalitarian government and sick forms of love. It paints a pretty bleak picture of what England could become given the right conditions. But it’s also an excellent portrait of the resiliency of the British People who won’t take oppression lying down. The whole movie comes to a head at the end when a mob descends upon Parliament Square. What’s most amazing is that they actually filmed it there and considering all the logistics that went into it, you’ve gotta be impressed with the result.
V for Vendetta Trailer:
Purchase:
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3. Local Hero
Many people haven’t heard of this movie, it’s a classic gem from the 80’s. It’s about an 80’s Yuppie Oilman sent to a sleepy Scottish village to negotiate it’s purchase because of oil located in the area. The locals are ecstatic since the area is rather economically depressed but the main character goes local and learns a lot about himself and what truly matters in life. It has an excellent score as well.
Local Hero Trailer:
Purchase:
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2. The Remains of the Day
This is a wonderful sweeping British Drama from the days of Merchant-Ivory. Anthony Hopkins stars as a Butler who sees many changes in history and the ownership of the estate he serves. There are wonderful themes about friendship and loyalty as well as unrequited love and loss. The vistas are amazing as is the grand house it takes place in. Emma Thompson plays one of her best roles at the love interest of Hopkins. This movie is long, quiet and contemplative yet delightful.
The Remains of the Day Trailer:
Purchase:
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1. Master and Commander
In my opinion, this is the perfect British movie for Anglophiles. Everything about this movie is perfect. From the authentic ship to the multi-faceted characters, it’s all perfect. It’s an awesome adventure filled with danger, loss and camaraderie. I can’t find a bad thing to say about this movie. It’s a shame it wasn’t a bigger hit so they’d make more.
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What a terrible selection of films! Richard Curtis makes awful crap that is completely unrepresentative of the UK, all posh people and “cor blimney guvnor” type proles for them to patronise. I’ve never met anyone remotely resembling any of his characters in real life. V for Vendetta is almost unwatchably bad too. Master and Commander and Local Hero are both excellent.
I would suggest:
Comfort And Joy
Gregory’s Girl
Any Shane Meadows film
Carry On Cleo/Carry On Up The Khyber
Withnail And I
A Matter Of Life And Death
Trainspotting (looking slightly dated now but still more representative than any of the Curtis collection of tourist tat)
Brazil
I adore Love Actually, Bridget Jones and About A Boy. Notting Hill is okay but definitely not Roberts’ or Grants’ best.
The BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is 100% better than the film and of course has the classic lake/wet T-shirt scene!
I’ve only seen a bit of The Queen and it didn’t grab me. Might have to try it again sometime. Not seen any of the others. I definitely think things like Brick Lane, Educating Rita and Gosford Park should be considered as well as they offer everything – great performances, wonderful stories and beautiful settings. 🙂
I would recommend:
East is East.
Shallow Grave.
Restless Natives.
Another one I would add to the list is “Saving Grace”. All the biggies are in it; Brenda Blethyn etc… Hilarious film. Even though there a huge house somewhere in Cornwall that somehow I managed to miss.. You go in to the front door in one place & come out of the back door in another! Amazing. But excellent film though…
British film (although not about Britain) the proper, original “Italian Job” has to be on any list of British films. I love that film…
“Personal Services” with Julie Walters. Haven’t seen it in years but it was hilarious.
It wasn’t out when this was originally posted, but I highly recommend “The Young Victoria” – an excellent movie about Victoria coming to the throne.
What about ‘Chariots of Fire” from the 80’s?
What about the 1998 “Elizabeth” starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush?
Also there is Shadowlands (1993) starring Anthony Hopkins about the British author C.S. Lewis.
The fantastic actress Judi Dench played Queen Victoria after Prince Albert’s death in “Mrs. Brown (1997).”
As mentioned above, Emily Blount did a good job as Queen Victoria in her youth in “Young Victoria.”
Also a memorable film from 1987 about a kid and his family living through the Blitz in London, “Hope and Glory,” Also–any of the Kenneth Branagh movies. My favourite is “Henry V”.
I do like some of your choices, but surely you didn’t mean to leave “Sense and Sensibility” off your list! An oversight, no doubt. 😉 I would put it at the very top.
What about Goodbye Mr. Chips?
What about Billy Elliot?? GREAT movie.
Ya’ll should check out the movie “Starter for 10”. It is a great movie.
As a pathetic Anglophile myself, I’ll go for any movie with a British accent and a costume so I like your selection.
I must say, I see eye to eye with you… I’m always looking for films set in England, films that show their customs and let me enjoy British accent.
I’d like to mention Brassed Off, which I found delightful.
Gangster No 1 Dead Mans Shoes Karims Story 24 Hour Partey People Telstar , Billy Liar , Hell I could go on and on….
Love all the movies mentioned. But two more to see are Crush with Andie McDowel and the second one is Keeping Mum.
The King’s Speech.
Absolutely correct, #1………………..The King’s Speech
Poor list…very poor. “Young Victoria” is lovely, but to leave off “Room with a View” and “Howard’s End”, “Emma” and “The King’s Speech” is criminal. “Master and Commander,” ugh. “V for Vendetta” a horror.
This list is very bad it only includes films that live up to the American stereotype of britishness most are middle/upperclass and have nothing to do with the real Britain.
My list to show britain as a whole (and just good to watch)
1) Kidulthood
2) Shaun Of The Dead
3) Four Lions
4) Human Traffic
5) Trainspotting
6) Snatch
7) Attack The Block
8) The Full Monty
9) Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
10) Nil by Mouth
11) Life Of Brian
12) Withnail and i
13) A Clockwork Orange
14) Secrets and Lies
15) The Wicker Man
Hot Fuzz
Nil By Mouth
Trainspotting
To End All Wars
Exam
East Is East
Four Lions
Severence
Atonement
Anything by guy Ritchie is just bollocks frankly
Trainspotting still number 1 in my heart!!!!
What’ no mention of Zulu, Alfie , Belstone fox, or Wild geese
I would say “A Hard Day’s Night,” “The Ladykillers,” “The Lavender Hill Mob,” “Trainspotting,” “Having a Wild Weekend,” (believe it or not, it’s not a bad film, although the Dave Clark 5 weren’t “Naturals” like the Fab Four). Also, any of Peter Sellers early comedies…”Alright Jack” for instance.
I agree with some of your choices, but the films I watch over and over are Secrets and Lies, Last September, and Carrington.
What about 84 Charing Criss Road?
Any of the period pieces and all war films…tea anyone?
…and the great British detective movies and TV series, i.e., Foyle`s War, Inspector Morse and others. In the movies I just wish the British dialogue was clearer. Some times I just don`t get it.
A not well known fact about the film Master and Commander is that in the book on which it is based the enemy is not a French warship but an American frigate named the USS Norfolk!
Regarding “Local Hero”. The goal was not to buy Ferness for local oil…it was to build a large Petro/chemical REFINERY. They needed the BAY. One of my favorite movies of all times. Liked it so much I even visited Pennan my last visit to Scotland. Beautiful little village, virtually unchanged from it’s depiction the movie.
Bend it Like Beckham