FAVORITE UK MOVIES

LarryBS

I'm very fond of many of them, too. Also of some British TV programs.

I'm trying to recall actual examples & what do you know?: My mind has gone totally blank!

No, hang on! Here's one I LOVED!!: Sunday, Bloody Sunday. What a delight that one was! A wonderful understated & poignant performance by Peter Finch, in love with the same young man as Glenda Jackson. And Glenda: At her best here!
The conniptions that Finch & Jackson went through, checking whether the object of their affections was with the other, were very funny, as were the scenes of child-minding the precocious children.
But most of all I remember the sadness, particularly of Peter Finch, when he realized that what to him was real love, was just a passing affair for for the young man. Very moving. And the music that accompanied his scenes was perfect.
This film has probably dated a bit since it was made, but at the time it was great!

Thanks, I've heard of it, but thats just what I like to hear - a good reason to watch it should it show up somewhere.

I love the BBC programs, mostly dramatic shows, that show up (eventually) on our public broadcasting system, PBS, on a show called Masterpiece Theater, as well as one called Mystery!. They've recently shown one called My Uncle Silas, last week was a new Hound of the Baskervilles, before that the new Forsyte Saga, and Wives and Daughters. Tonight looks like a juicy one, Me & Mrs. Jones - a reporter does a story on the new female PM, and falls in love or has a fling with her. I'm recording it for posterity. My favorite old shows were Jewel in the Crown and the wonderful three part story of the evil PM Francis Urquhart (sp.?) consisting of House of Cards, To Play the King, and The Final Cut. I wish they'd show these again here, they are hard to find anywhere on video. I could go on forever. Loved David Copperfield last year - it had the kid who later played Harry Potter.

LarryBS

I loved The Jewel in the Crown! One of my very favourite TV experiences ever! The stories are a terrific read, too.

LarryBS

Have you ever seen Local Hero?
Magic!

Yes, a few times now. By the way that reminds me of a Burt Lancaster movie you may not have seen. The Swimmer, from the late 60's probably. I saw it for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it, but then it is about a man not much older than me having a crisis, and also comments on america's values, two of my favorite subjects, in movies.

And The Dish - did you see that in the last couple of years? A little movie concerning the US space program, or at least Australia's part in it. Got almost no notice here of course, but its precisely the type of movie I love. It was great. The reliable Sam Neill comes through again.

LarryBS

Hey, isn't there anyone else interested in UK films???

No, I haven't seen The Swimmer, so will see if it's available on video. Sounds interesting!

I must have seen Local Hero about 4/5 times now ... Charmed every time! Love the music, too.

I enjoyed The Dish, too. Nicely understated. A quiet little film with integrity. It was made by the Australian production company that made The Castle. (A lot of fun!)

I think I saw The Castle - family lives in house where government wants to buy their land - an airport maybe?

Just looked at biography page for Sam Neill - he had a part in a British tv miniseries remake of Dr. Zhivago! I hadn't heard of that one, can't imagine anyone re-making Zhivago.

"The Swimmer" is a superb film,though hardly British!
Don´t Look Now
Billy Liar
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
Alfie
The Ipcress File
Peeping Tom
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Passport to Pimlico
Genevieve
Repulsion

Great lists. I don't consider as single film listed less than outstanding. A few more: "Tight Little Island"
"Brief Encounter"
"Belles of St. Trinians"
"Blithe Spirit"
"Doctor in the House"
"Red Shoes"
"Stairway to Heaven"
"In Which We Serve"
Titles won't stop popping into my head, so I shall stop here.

I loved many of the films you've all mentioned. Just watched The Dish this past weekend on DVD - lovely film!

Have you seen Breaking the Waves? An unusual film, set in Scotland as I remember. Emily Watson's debut.

Yes, "Breaking the Waves" was excellent. As I recall, there was a bit of religious controversy over it due to the morality involved.

A Danish film,Mac. One of Lars Von Triers.

A list of favorite British films without
Carol Reeds 'The Third Man"?
I'd start with that one.

I told you I missed a lot of them, and I was right! The Third Man is a biggie. And Peeping Tom and Repulsion. Thanks flyboy and hebba - I haven't heard of some of those titles.

A cable channel here had an Ealing Studios retrospective a couple of months ago. There was a great film about a little old lady that gets mixed up with some baddies, can't remember the name.

"The Black Narcissus" with the incredible cinematography of Jack Cardiff (recently deceased).

"The Jungle Book" Sabu is the original jungle boy.

"The Thief of Baghdad" Special effects that are amazing.

"The Stars Look Down" Sir Carol Reed's earlier film about miners.

"Things to Come"

"A Night to Remember"

Thanks, haven't heard of Stars, or Things to Come. I thought Night to Remember was very well done and stands up well to the test of time, even in comparison to Titanic's special effects. I saw it during Titanic-mania three or four years ago.

Larry and Ms. Olga: I loved Local Hero. The music was by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. I bought the sound track. I thought the scenery was breathtaking. But back to UK movies. I see the Red Shoes is mentioned above and I think it is superb. I never tire of watching it. I'm particularly fond of "Far From the Madding Crowd" with Julie Christie, Peter Finch, Alan Bates and Terence Stamp, too. And I second Lightwizard's choice of The Black Narcissus. If you like opera, The Tales of Hoffman is also visually beautiful.

My favorite favorite UK films have something Irish about them:
The Crying Game
My Left Foot
In the Name of the Father
Ryan's Daughter.

Others are absolutely and delightfully English:

Yellow Submarine
Family Life
The Third Man
Sleuth

Others yet, have this specific Brit rebelliousness:

O Lucky Man!
Galileo
Help!
Life of Brian

Loved Far from the Madding Crowd. Julie Julie Julie. She will always be my first and greatest love.

Anyone seen The Secret of Roan Inish? Good for kids too.