I watched the BEST British films of the 21st century

I spent over 40 hours watching the BEST British films of the 21st Century! Here's what I thought.
As a Canadian living in the UK, I love learning more about British culture and what a great way to do that through movies! I had so much fun with this experiment and I've found some new favourite films - hope you like the video! Definitely make sure to watch these yourself and let me know your thoughts.
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Hey! I'm Alanna - a thirty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.
I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a KZbin video every Tuesday plus an additional video every Saturday on my Patreon account. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:30pm GMT/BST on Twitch.
Alanna x

[@tbone35453]

'Withnail and I' is a brilliant British classic that I would highly recommend. I agree with you about Gravity, by the end of the film I was hoping Sandra Bullock would land in North Korea.

[@fussyboy2000]

Do not attempt to keep up with the drinking though.

[@RedDevil_Joe]

The Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz & The Worlds End) is a must if you haven’t seen, or if you’ve only seen them once or twice, especially Hot Fuzz that takes about 4 watches at least to catch everything 😂

[@jonsmith8582]

SWAN!

[@fayesouthall6604]

Fantastic

[@b-beale1931]

@@jonsmith8582 No luck catching them swans then?

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I used to watch Shaun of the Dead every Halloween!! Hot Fuzz is fun but I couldn't stand The Worlds End

[@jonsmith8582]

@@b-beale1931 just the one Swan actually !

[@dabe1971]

Do yourself a favour and watch 1996's 'Brassed Off'. British stars, British accents and British Brass !

[@christopherfox735]

Not forgetting Up ‘N’ Under Rugby League film. The Draughtmans Contract or the very quirky The Lair of The White Worm.

[@cs8106c]

I second that. Great film.

[@darrenwells2277]

I have a friend who played in a brass band.. she became known as "Gloria" lol

[@paulhill1665]

Full metal jacket, as American as you can get? It was filmed mostly in a disused gas works in London, with a Uk director

[@katashworth41]

One of my all time favourites (it’s number 3 behind Local Hero and Mamma Mia, what can I say? I have diverse taste).

[@rnp497]

Wallace and Gromit is pure British and so much fun.

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Shane, where are you from?

[@chipsthedog1]

Please do a poll on British classic films you should watch, I'd like to recommend 3 Lawrence of Arabia, The Italian job and my personal favorite Zulu with Michael Caine

[@Gill3D]

Lawrence Of Arabia is possibly one of the finest films ever made, let alone the finest British film. The Italian Job is also a worthy nominee. For myself, I'd suggest The English Patient and Ice Cold In Alex.

[@mossyman65]

With you on those, Zulu also my all time favourite.

[@JG-fv9bv]

Kind Hearts and Coronets. ..... not in your timescale but but outstanding film

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

I know it wasn't made in the 21st Century, but the Spielberg film Empire of the Sun (1987) is based on JG Ballard's book of the same name. It is about a 13-yr old British boy interned by the Japenese after the fall of Shanghai in Dec 1941. It stars a 13-yr old Christian Bale. The music and cinematography are ace.

[@parallaxview6770]

You need to go back further and ignore Bafta 1. Withnail & I 2. Nil by mouth 3. Get Carter 4. The Spy who came in from the cold 5. Kind hearts and coronets 6. Mona Lisa 7. The long good friday 8. Riff Raff 9. Rita sue and bob too 10. Kes

[@bdwon]

No British film compares to the best ever film featuring Alec Guinness "Kind Hearts and Coronets" (1949).

[@bdwon]

Bonus for you is "Filming took place from September 1948 at Leeds Castle and other locations in Kent . . . ."

[@stevealharris6669]

Got the 4K disc - very good.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

I suspect that you may have already had this recommended to you, if not PLEASE see "Withnail And I". It is an hilarious comedic portrait of two out of work actors in the late 1960s and their attempt to escape the drearyness of a squalid life in London with a therapeutic break in the Lake District. They are totally unequipped for country life ...and there is an excruciating issue with an older relative played by an actor you will definitely recognise ;-) You mentioned an interest in war themed films. An absolute must see IMO is "Come And See" it is unique in so many ways: the 100% natural lighting, even at dusk, the full frontal portrait shots of peoples' terrified expressions, the utterly unrelenting cruelty and the way the main protagonist seems to "age" as the plot unfolds even though he's only about 14. I have seen pretty much every extreme horror film out there but this one left me with palpitations (and tears). It is both horrible but at the same time utterly brilliant.

[@rh3749]

Surprised that The Imitation Game was not in the list. I much prefer it to The Theory of Everything in 2014. Also surprised Pride and Prejudice is not in the list for 2005. Some other 2000s+ British films I find memorable and better than most of the films on the list: V for Vendetta, Happy Go-Lucky, Atonement, An Education, Amazing Grace, Bend It Like Beckham, Casino Royale, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Also like Eddie the Eagle.

[@jonsmith8582]

The railway children , it's supposed to be for kids but it's one of the best British films ever made , and I defy you not to cry at the end 😭

[@geoffpoole483]

Anyone who doesn't cry watching THAT scene is clinically dead.

[@raymondporter2094]

"Daddy! My daddy...!"

[@andrewgarrett7100]

This Is England is a fantastic film. There was a TV series set in the early 80s as well. There are a number of Wallace and Gromit films and several others, including Chicken Run, made by Aardman Animations in Bristol. They are all worth a watch. Very gentle humour.

[@angelachicken4141]

The thing about 'I, Daniel Blake' is that it's not just historical. This is still going on now. I know he ruffles a lot of feathers, but he has made some amazing films down the years.

[@MarkARhodie]

A Fish Called Wanda, a good British comedy from the 80s.

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

So Hot Fuzz didn't win a Bafta for best picture? That's tragic!!

[@davidpowell8249]

Yarp

[@grantparman4705]

Alanna is always working the extra hours for our entertainment. Clearly, she loves all of us!

[@StonefieldJim4]

'Withnail and I'! 'Gosford Park' is a great choice. The (American) director, Robert Altman, is brilliant.

[@nowt1002]

The sequels to This is England are well worth checking out as well. They were done as TV mini series rather than films. There are 3 of them set in 1986, 1988 and 1990

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I didn't realise, thanks for the heads-up!

[@dabe1971]

SO glad you liked 'Tinker Tailor', it's a fabulous piece of work but was always going to have to make compromises to fit the source material into such a short space of time and can be tricky to follow as a result. Perhaps the watchalong crew helped you out some. I would *implore* you to seek out the BBC TV adaptation from 1979 and the sequel 'Smileys People' from 1982 starring Alec Guinness so as to complete the Karla Story. They are SOOOOOOOOOO good and as much as I liked Gary Oldman, Sir Alec is the definitive George Smiley.

[@josephturner7569]

And Karla steals the the show. Doesn't say a word. He went on to Stella things.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Gary Oldman is a very talented actor,proven again and again,but Sir Alec Guinness nailed that part. Still very enjoyable though but like you,I preferred the series where you were given deeper context.

[@tbone35453]

Totally agree. I watch Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People every Autumn.

[@dave_h_8742]

Watched the series with Sir. Alec avidly when it came out and also smilies people.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Fantastic film. The performances and the look. The music too.

[@SteveMikre44]

BAFTA should sponsor A&N after this excellent episode Alanna created...🎬🇬🇧

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂 Cheers Steve!

[@brxee]

Go 20th Century - Brief Encounter, Zulu, The Italian Job, Watership Down, Scum, Quadrophenia, The Long Good Friday, American Werewolf In London, Billy Elliot - all great films.

[@user-nq8jm1gd7p]

As a big James Bond fan I remember watching Skyfall for the first time and not being overly impressed. One day I came across a podcast called The Rewatchables (which I've just found out is also on KZbin) and in one of their episodes they did an amazing job of discussing the film in a lot of detail. I watched the film again and it's now one of my favourite Bond films ever. I really enjoyed this video. Original, thought provoking and beautifully made. If someone is still thinking about your video two days later you've done something right.

[@RobFarley74]

"Attack the block" is a must see! "Withnail and I" is another

[@eze8970]

That's a huge amount of commitment for a video Alanna, thank you for your time! Some great films there, & glad to see you're expanding your British accent repertoire! 🙏🙏

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@host4805]

Great idea for a video! I won’t watch all of the movies, but there were definitely some I have never heard of before, that I want to watch. My favourite thing about Gravity is the quote by Tina Fey: It’s the story of how George Clooney would rather float away into space and die, than spend one more minute with a woman his own age 😆

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

😂

[@robinfereday6562]

East is East a great British movie and very funny I think you’ll love it Alanna

[@Yandarval]

Gosford Park was written by Julian Fellowes. The same person who created Downton Abbey. So its little surprise that they feel similar, as they are.

[@josephturner7569]

Sharpes i/c and then Prince Regent. And good friend of Dick who took the Eagle at Talavera don't you know.

[@capablancauk]

I would appreciate you looking at some of the Ealing comedies.

[@stevetheduck1425]

The British films of the 20th century need some love as well. There are a very large number of them. I would recommend 'Black Narcissus', 'The Red Shoes' or 'Went the day Well?' as a starting point. Those of the 19th century are few, but interesting, including 'Roundhay Garden Scene', which is about two seconds long (a surviving fragment) and has been restored as far as possible.

[@timglennon6814]

Nick Park who created Wallace and Grommet also created Chicken Run.

[@graememorrison333]

@12:40 Hey! I'm in that scene! Filmed outside the Sierra Leonian Embassy in Portland Place, London - and boy! was it chucking it down that day. The delapidated interiors were also extensively used as Lionel Logue's (Geoffrey Rush's character) rooms.

[@ozelhassan8576]

One if not the most favourite film I have, wouldn’t have been on your list as it was made in 1939 but it’s called Goodbye Mr Chips, it’s a emotional film, it was based on a book and to my knowledge there has been three versions of this film, the original in 1939 a 1970s musical I think and a more recent version, I’m not into musicals but I’ve seen the more recent one and it’s no way near as good as the original. I also liked all versions on the 39 steps films which are old films too, the thing I like about pre 1960s films is they mostly don’t have bad language in them.

[@AndrewwarrenAndrew]

Good choices.

[@Thurgosh_OG]

Goodbye Mr Chips is such a good film. I saw it as a child and remember it fondly.

[@joshbrailsford]

I've not heard of some of these, let alone seen them, so thanks for dedicating so much time to watching and reviewing them for us! I have made a literal note to watch some of them now.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Awesome, hope you enjoy it!!

[@adrianmcgrath1984]

One of the best 'British’ movies has to be Remains of the Day. - it precedes your time range - but is so british it hurts. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. I think you’d love it.

[@WelshCelt]

Beautiful film, I absolutely love it ❤

[@adrianmcgrath1984]

It is a lovely film - I generally end up watching it and shouting like a sports hooligan about what Mr Stevens should do though! - breaks the gentile atmosphere a bit !!

[@marybalding1435]

From a book by a Japanese writer. I’ve just seen “Living” with Bill Nighy also written by a person from Japan. Interesting how Japanese seem to understand British culture. I would very much recommend it

[@wyterabitt2149]

@@marybalding1435 Both the novel that Remains of the Day was adapted from and the film "Living" were written by the same person. And that "Japanese" writer is also a British citizen, who lived in Britain from the age of 6. He is a Japanese-British writer.

[@Gill3D]

The British film industry is in a parlous state if these are its best films of the 21st century. The last century saw The Bridge On The River Kwai, Lawrence Of Arabia, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, The Crying Game, A Man For All Seasons, Chariots Of Fire, Gandhi, Educating Rita, The Killing Fields, Four Weddings And A Funeral, The English Patient, Gladiator..... plus so many others which didn't win BAFTAs, such as The Lavender Hill Mob and The Colditz Story. What about Ice Cold In Alex, The Cruel Sea, Hobson's Choice, The Dam Busters, The Battle Of The River Plate, The Innocents, Whistle Down The Wind, Oliver!, Local Hero and Shirley Valentine? Then there are others the BAFTAs didn't even acknowledge but which were great British films, such as The Railway Children and Truly Madly Deeply. Those are just the films that spring to mind and I'm sure others could be identified with a little more thought. I love your videos, Alanna, but this is a case of looking at also-rans and overlooking the gold medalists.

[@kenlongfellow]

I know I'm old but the best British film ever, to my mind, is "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" starring Peter O'Toole and Petula Clark. You've got the end of Empire, the boarding school experience, snobbery, the Blitz... it has everything definitive of England in the first half of the 20th century and I still hum the theme song. Tina Fey reviewed 'Gravity' best of all, "It's the story of how George Clooney would rather float away into space and die than spend one more minute with a woman his own age.”

[@Andrew8468]

Great video as usual.

[@Hudd12345]

Good Reviews :) and keep up the good work 🙂

[@fleabiter]

Great idea, I need to see a few of these again.

[@walterhartwright]

It's impossible to satisfy everyone of course, but two films that spring immediately to mind are Dead Man's Shoes (2004) (featuring Paddy Considine and directed by Shane Meadows), and Tyrannosaur (2011) (featuring Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman, and written and directed by Paddy Considine). Both are grim, and Tyrannosaur is particularly bleak, but they're both very good films. IMO, Olivia Colman should have won an Oscar for her performance in Tyrannosaur. As an addendum, I'm not a fan of James Bond films, but I've got a higher regard for Skyfall than you have. The difference between Sam Mendes on 1917 and on Skyfall, is that in Skyfall he was a hired director with very limited opportunity to impose his own vision, whereas 1917, which he jointly wrote as well as directed, was very personal to him and he WAS able to impose his own vision.

[@dannydorko7075]

thoroughly enjoyed this video!

[@Emma-sq1kn]

Great video Alana! I will definitely watch some of these. I’m always looking for something to watch that’s decent.

[@benjones3117]

Great effort, in just watching all these films. Couple of films/docs I’ve not heard off. Look forward to your coronation reaction.

[@victorialovatt976]

Let’s just take a moment to remember the “SMUG” fridge on Wallace and Gromit….. so many fab bits in Curse of.. but that’s my favourite. ❤

[@delskioffskinov]

Thanks for another great video Alanna! never get sick of your content!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahh you're too kind! ☺️

[@Sarge667]

Great video, haven't seen many of these but i think i will now 😁

[@MS-19]

I'm a hopeless nostalgic, and this was something of a nostalgia trip, so thank you for doing it and taking us with you, Alanna! Seeing when these films won their awards, it is possible to think back to when they came out, where I was and what life had me doing there and then. (Not that I have seen all these films, nor did I first encounter those I have seen upon their release.... but the memory of viewing can also be associated with certain times and places!) Given how much the royal family has been under the spotlight recently, perhaps a sure bet for a British film is one of those dramatising real-life events in royal history - presumably you're aware of "The King's Speech" and "The Queen," for instance? I would also commend Kenneth Branagh's adaptations of Shakespeare, especially "King Henry V" which was his first directorial effort and in many ways his finest - one of the contemporary reviewers noted that it contains "the cream of British acting" as it was then (aside from Branagh himself it includes Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench, Brian Blessed and many others) and it has Patrick Doyle's first attempt at a film soundtrack, recorded by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Simon Rattle's direction; it's a truly British production in every respect! Out of your list, it's wonderful to see Wallace and Gromit. Their every appearance from the very first TV special ("A Grand Day Out" at the turn of the 1990s) was an improvement on the last, and "The Curse of the Were Rabbit" pulled out all the stops, undeniably.

[@winnywin]

Fantastic video, Alana. Not only the time you spent watching, but also the brilliant commentary. It's obvious, as a viewer, that you put a lot of thought in to this. Really appreciate your hard work.

[@gordonwallin2368]

Alana, do more reviews-of anything. You're great doing them and it shows off your wonderful smile. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@davidpierce3217]

This is really interesting Alanna! Lots of good pointers for things to watch. Thanks!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dean-gq5pe]

Fantastic vlog. You certainly did your homework.👍

[@jcasillas78]

Wow, great video! Tis must have been a lot of work, thanks!

[@jamescowley6555]

Next level of preparation for this video, props to you a great watch and will definitely try and find some time to watch some of these.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!

[@ExquisiteWig]

My favourite british films in recent years are Aftersun and The Father. Both amazing!

[@peterbulloch4611]

Cracking video Gromit. Not seen a multiple reaction type video thingie before. Good job

[@davidchristian8218]

Great vid, Alanna! You should do a part 2, 3, 4 etc. at some point. Could be the Best British films from the 20th Century or the nominees from this century. Plenty more films, so many more videos to come 😀

[@jamesparkinmusic]

Best episode yet. Your passion for film really comes across. More please.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much! ☺️

[@heskeyisgod8039]

Great video Alanna! I appreciate all the hard work you put into it. I think I've seen about 70% of these films :-)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@howardkey1639]

Wow, what a great Video this week Alanna, I can see why you were so determined to get this one out with all the hard work that must have gone onto it. Very well done. My favourite two films from the list are Tinker Tailor and Wallis & Gromit both high on my go to list of movies. 👏👏👏😊

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much! Both great choices!

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

Oh my! I remember Petit's walk between the towers of the World Trade Center. I was living in Boston, listening to the morning news on the radio. They interrupted and switched to live coverage. Apparently commuters stopped driving to watch and NYC traffic got snarled for hours. Then the story of his clandestine preparations came out and elevated the event further. What a feat, what a memory. ... Excellent review and video. Keep up your good work! And thanks for the memory. :)

[@gregofthedump]

I'm impressed with your commitment. I've only seen one of those films in its entirety-Gravity. I saw it at the cinema in 3D, and really enjoyed it. But then, I do watch live rocket launches on KZbin (there's going to be one tomorrow [19/04/23], all being well. The largest rocket ever launched!) I've watched most of I, Daniel Blake. I agree that it wasn't that interesting. To be fair to Ken Loach, it was accurate in the way he portrayed the cruelty of the benefits system. I went through the disability assessment myself three times, and it was a disheartening process. My favourite British film of the 21st Century is The Woman In Black. It's a ghost story, and the only Daniel Radcliffe film I've ever seen. Btw, I was on the set of Atonement the day before they started filming, in Yorkshire. Two upcoming big budget films that were shot partially in Yorkshire in 2021, are the new Mission Impossible; and Indiana Jones films.

[@AaronTheHipHopGuy]

I didn’t get to watch your video until now because I was doing my essay! This videos is great, it’s so cool how much effort you put into it, it turned out really well!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Yay! Thank you!

[@OneTrueScotsman]

Billy Elliot, hands down is my favourite. I relate well to it because it's set the same year I was born, my family were traditionally miners, and I just love the message behind the journey of Billy, following his dreams of doing something more than just what was expected of him.

[@clairesouter7116]

This was really interesting. Some of those films I had never heard of! Loved this and the “best” British albums one.

[@nightowl5395]

Looking forward to watching you talking about these films 🙂 but just to say your hair looks very pretty with the high-lights at the front 👍

[@Swisswavey]

Great video, thank you. I don't generally watch award-winning films so was a bit surprised to see that I've seen more than half of these. I even enjoyed one or two of them.

[@fractalbroccoli469]

Come on, we all know Shaun of the dead is the best British movie ever 😀

[@stevendunn264]

I dare you to watch 5 or 6 of the Carry On films and review. True British comedy.

[@norbertfricke7116]

Great selection , Alanna , and loved your summaries . You had 2 of my favourites , This is England , and I, Daniel Blake .. Plus I fully agree , we need more of Stephen Graham !!! Thank you so much for your effort in putting this together . Well done 👍

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!!

[@rabid_si]

2013 would have been better served with "A Field in England". If nothing else, it will be an experience you never forget... even if you want to.

[@10pmixupuk65]

Excellent reviews! ***** 📽

[@chrisshelley3027]

Alanna, you always always go that extra mile, but this time you have out done yourself, the brewing video was commitment on a large scale, the lengths that you go to in your food tastings and also comparisons are second to none, you really do spoil everyone who watches your content, the quality is very high always, I Daren't think how long it takes to script a video, but I would struggle so much, but you, you never seem to give up, we all are so lucky to have you making such high quality content, honestly you could charge us for a "TV" licence and we wouldn't complain, the license payers would be the envy of KZbin 😂 thank you and take care 😊

[@Malfie657]

Thanks for this Alanna, it's a great idea to review these and it's really interesting to get your views. Though definitely not blockbusters, I loved both 'Brooklyn' and 'I Daniel Blake' for some reason and I totally agree about a thumbs-down for 'Gravity', which bored me completely. There's also a couple that I've yet to see and so they'll definitely be added to my list!

[@suzanneantippas8420]

Great job Alanna! I love your enthusiasm and your candid remarks when the film was not so good. I hope you can find another bunch of films or videos or cinema classics to review for us!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Dan-zb7vn]

Cheers Alanna that was an epic video well done you!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you!

[@sulijoo]

I remember the director of Made in Dagenham (another British movie) getting angry about the fact his film was given a 15, while The King's Speech was given a 12. Even though both films contain swearing and are about real events. He said it was a class issue, that apparently it's ok to swear if you're an aristocrat, but not if you're a working class lass from up north. And he's probably right.

[@georgecarr732]

Ice cold in Alex, great film, loved 3 billboards

[@GS44691]

Very much enjoyed your take on these movies. Need to get you on Lorraine doing showbiz reviews. All the best.

[@paulwillard9687]

When the late Queen was asked about if she had watched the kings speech she replied, “why no I was there” classy to the end.

[@Paulwashington5358]

Hi Alanna, if you haven't already, please consider doing movie reactions for this channel. There doesn't seem to be many British reactors out there. Succinctly literate, no umming and arring just insightful takes on a multitude of movies

[@naitchb16]

Some great movies, some good, some head scratchers lol There were definitely a few I wouldn’t have thought of as British 🙃 What a brilliant vid, Alanna. I really enjoyed hearing your reviews. Cheers ☺️

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@shirleyboy8859]

Great video Alanna...... 3 Billboards is an excellent Movie.... I am not a big film fan so caught this on tv..... Very much worth a watch..... :-)) xxxx

[@stuarts1219]

Not been much of a film watcher in recent years, so was interested in what you'd come up with. There's a couple I'm tempted by 🙂. I couldn't take Gravity seriously when I saw it, but it was entertaining enough.... though not a patch on Dark Star (1974). Glad you finally got the video out Alanna.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Cheers Stuart!

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

I'm absolutley with you on 'Skyfall'... 'Casino Royale' is soo much better.

[@paulprice7482]

I work for a Social Landlord and they showed us I Daniel Blake in the office, such a powerful film. It was even brought up in Parliament I recall. Enjoyed the video

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Definitely a tough watch!

[@daseteam]

Thank you. I have followed you on and off for years. I really like your film reviews. How about Three Colours from Kieslowski?

[@twelvesmylimit]

Great stuff, Alanna. 👍

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

☺️

[@huw3851]

Interesting program, thanks for that. I'm surprised how many I've missed and a little depressed how long ago I saw some of them in the cinema. Clearly you were terribly wrong about Gravity but apart from that I think you've inspired me to catch up with, or re-watch quite a few of those.

[@laurenh6668]

Im so glad you saw This Is England!.. We studied British film when I was in college and it was one of the main films we dug into. Absolutely phenomenal cast, Shane Meadows' faith in them all was great as a fair few parts were improvised on the spot. If you haven't seen it already, one of the main characters (Woody) wrote his own comedy on Sky called Brassic, which features some of the cast. So so funny if you're ever at a loose end, there are 4 series so far.

[@nowt1002]

Loads of what you would generally think of as American films were shot at Shepperton or Pinewood

[@wyterabitt2149]

Although Hollywood became the centre of movies, it really was the advantages compared to a place like the UK with limited space and different filming sites that dictated this. Hollywood itself has been heavily influenced by Britain, as well as other countries, since the beginning. Some of the most influential director, actors, and films were British. I have known plenty of people that thought Hitchcock was American though, people do tend to just associate it with the US. "Hollywood" hasn't just been an American thing only pretty much since the start.

[@Dan_moon_sun]

Belting good video Alannah.

[@Judgles]

Great video, Alanna. I'm definitely going to give some of the ones I missed a watch. By the way, the girl in This is England was Vicky McClure from Line of Duty, so she was reunited with Stephen Graham in that.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ahhh I knew I recognised her from something!

[@willt1984]

Some excellent choices. was so pleased you included Fish Tank. Such a good film.

[@jward2266]

Withnail & I, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Brief Encounter, A Matter of Life & Death, Kes, Gregory's Girl, The Ladykillers, The Day the Earth Caught Fire, Secrets and Lies, The Italian Job, Quartermass and the Pit, The Ipcress File, The Battle of Britain, A Man for All Seasons, My Beautiful Launderette, It Happened Here, Brazil, Moon, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Dead Man's Shoes, Shaun of The Dead, Walkabout, Nuts in May, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Gandhi, lce Cold in Alex and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner are incredible British Films.

[@neilbiggs1353]

FYI, and apologies if another comment has already covered this, but This Is England spawned a TV series if you are interested. I took a look through the nominees, and I'm not convinced that they got the right winner in a number of years! Dirty Pretty Things in '02 was a breakout performance for Chiwetel Ejiofor who might be the most talented actor in the world. The funny thing is the director of it, Stephen Frears also had a film Philomena that lost to Gravity! Philomena is a British/Irish story about a woman trying to find the child she had to give away for adoption. The COnstant Gardener was another film that lost and the acting from Ralph Fiennes in it is incredible. The other thing that jumped out for me is that awards shows in general feel like they equate misery with meaning - you'll do better in the awards if the film is bleak, so comedy or semi-comic films would get overlooked. For me, the finest British films have tended to be comedies so I'd maybe recommend films like Kinky Boots (a film about a shoe make who is going out of business finding a new market) and Adult Life Skills (Jodie Whittaker is a women living in a shed in her parents' garden) ahead of some of those mentioned. Four Lions and The Death Of Stalin were nominated and worth tracking down! The McDonagh brothers have turned darkly funny in to an artform. In Bruges put Martin on the map (and that has an amazing amount of swearing in it), but that was nominated but didn't win. By the way, In Bruges not only shares the director with Banshees... but the two main cast are in both films too. For a number of people, it helped convince them that Colin Farrell could actually act, he wasn't just a good looking performer.Martin's brother John Michael has done The Guard and Calvary which were both brilliant films too. I wouldn't say no to more videos where you dive in to British films... I think Victim (50s or 60s?) might still be on the ITV player which is notable for being the first films to use a word for a forbidden lifestyle (or at least was forbidden at the time it was made)

[@MasterOfMisc]

Wow, I really liked Gravity when it came out. I watched it at the cinema in 3D and I have a vivid image of a bolt floating out of the screen and she grabs it. Granted, I haven't seen it watched it since then so maybe it doesn't hold up. For the rest of the movies I have never heard of most of them. Will be adding some to my watch list. 👍👍

[@dominicskelton3031]

Gravity stands up, but only if you're lucky enough to get a retro screening at the cinema. It needs a huge screen and ideally 3D - home viewing kills the spectacle, however big your telly is.

[@Gill3D]

I also saw it when it was first released, on a huge Imax screen. I remember ducking as that bolt headed towards me! It's the only film to ever justify 3D production and I should imagine it's an absolute pancake on the small screen.

[@dominicskelton3031]

Exactly that for me. It essentially does the same thing three times, with the shuttle and the two space stations. That's terrible cinema, but in IMAX it's a hell of a ride....

[@johnatkins2665]

Nice to see you go off on a bit of a tangent to do a 'review' ! I haven't seen ALL of your vids, so maybe this isn't the first, but the first i've seen. I like the new direction, if that is what it is! I agreed with nearly all your choices, Gravity was definitely disappointing. I've seen them all apart from Skyfall and Promising young woman.

[@robertlucas9138]

It's probably already been mentioned in the comments but This is England continued on television for two series (This is England '86 & '90) both are excellent following all the the characters years later. This is England is loosely based on writer and director Shane Meadows life, as you enjoyed the film I would recommend watching the TV series.

[@nickgrazier3373]

What a fabulous movie critic!! Honest down to earth (no BS) comments, you said it how you saw it! Thanks I enjoyed it, positive and negative opinions. Cheers Aah Kid!!