Damn, I also forgot The Wicker Man.
I don’t like oldies.
The Parole officer was a good film.
What makes a good British film? Well, a film where talent is the abundant content, rather than money. Usually it’s a comedy. If it is not a comedy it has comedic moments. Contrary to popular belief Hugh Grant in the cast list does not make a good UK film.
There’s a huge movie being left out – Bridge on the River Kwai.
Also, wasn’t Tess a British production?
They also left off “I’m All Right, Jack.”
A few more:
The Fallen Idol
The History of Mr. Polly
Whisky Galore
The October Man
Doctor in the House
Let’s not forget Educating Rita. One of the most under rated films of all time.
Wasn’t Tom Jones done across the pond as well? It was a classic in many ways.
Nice to see Nick Park mentioned so many times. Timeless stuff, it is.
However, my money is on Lawrence of Arabia.
You bet, Torgo; although I’ve always liked Comfort and Joy more. Oh–and Gregory’s Girl was filmed (partly) at the school where my mother’s cousin was headmistress (very minor brush with fame). And I had a very big crush on Claire Grogan.
Restless Natives isn’t bad either.
Looking back over the list, there’s a few personal faves that haven’t come up yet:
- Blythe Spirit
- This Happy Breed
- Pygmalion
- Hobson’s Choice
- The Horse’s Mouth
- The Hill
I can’t believe that no-one’s mentioned any of the Carry On series.
classics, every one.
But seriously, I think that Reuben’s got it with A Fish Called Wanda.
Most have been mentioned but:
A Matter of Life and Death
A Man for All Seasons
Both these movies have a special place in my heart.
First;
“Ladykillers”
Along with
“The Sporting Life”,
“The Wicker Man”,
“The Thirty-Nine Steps”,
“The Mark”
As long as Barbara Windsor’s starring, it’s a guarantee of quality entertainmetnt.
The list is here. You are correct that Third Man came first. In tenth position is my nominee amongst movies not yet suggested: Trainspotting. The poll was done in 1999, so more recent candidates are excluded.
Chariots of Fire and Gandhi were both decent films.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned The Ruling Class yet. Not only is it a completely English film, it has quite a lot to say about the English class system.
Oh, I avoided mentioning The Ruling Class. Its heavyhandedness just seemed so… un-British!
The things that make a British movie great are their understatedness, and in the case of the comedies, their “blink and you’ll miss it” subtle humo(u)r. The great epics leave me cold, but the Ealing comedies and their stylistic heirs drag me in every time!
“A Man for All Seasons”
I forgot about this film perhaps because I think of the director, Zinneman, as an American but this is a masterpiece without question. Among bio-pics it’s notable for its restraint and subtlety.
Another film I overlooked because of the director is Altman’s Gosford Park. It’s certainly a British film though.
How about some of the wartime dramas? The Cruel Sea and The Dam Busters both deserve a mention, in their way.
This is further proof of the greatness of Carry On films 
Since we’ve had great English and Scottish films, anyone got a great Welsh film?
And How Green Was My Valley? doesn’t count.
Lots of good ones in here, many of which came to mind when I saw the thread title…the Ealing comedies, The Third Man, Black Narcissus, The Wicker Man, A Fish Called Wanda…
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the 1936 H.G. Wells/Alex Korda production Things to Come, though. Amazing cast, strong anti-war message, a script simply exploding with quotable quotes, and the suggestion that, in the far future, women and men alike will all be wearing miniskirts.
What about Remains Of The Day? Sure, it’s based on a novel written by a Japanese man, but the film seems entirely British to me. It’s one of my all-time favorite films, British or otherwise.
Also, Truly, Madly, Deeply is a wonderfully romantic movie.