As a total movie buff, owning well over 2000 movies on video, DVD and VCD, I am hoping that I don't miss out too many classic British movies here.

Obviously I havn't watched every British movie that has ever been made, so I will stick to movies that I have watched, and most of all movies that I watch most often.

Basically this top 10 list will feature my personal favourite films, and not neccessarily classic films.

In no particular order:

1. Fever Pitch
I have probably been more impressed with this movie than almost any other I have watched in recent years.
Although I am a football fan I must admit that I wasn't expecting much from this film by Nick Hornby, although I had heard that the book was superb.
This simple but very enjoyable film about one man's (Paul) view on football and love is very funny indeed.
Colin Firth (Paul) plays the title role superbly as a teacher trying to juggle his love life with his love for football, and Arsenal in particular.
The film itself is extremely funny, without really trying to be. In that, I mean that many of the characters put across some very funny lines and scenes whilst remaining in a generally straight role.
There are some classic lines in this film and I would urge anybody who hasn't seen this film yet, football fan or not, to take a look at this. It is excellent.

2. The Full Monty
Many of my male friends do not like this low budget movie at all, but I must admit that I love this film.
Again, it is extremely funny throughout and Mark Addy as Dave steals the show for me.
The story tells of a group of friends, Gary in particular, desperate to break away from their everyday boring lives at the local job centre.
Gary is desperate to pay his ex wife maitanance for their son, and so pursuades a group of friends to put on a strip show at their local working men's club.

Despite their first embarrasment at the idea,
the men soon warm to it, and what follows during the film is a delight to watch.
Some extremely funny moments make this a feel good movie, and I would definatly recommend this.

3. I.D.
Another low budget movie, which may not be very well known to many of you tells the story of an ambitous police officer (John), whose life begins to fall apart after working under cover to help catch a group of football hooligans.

John and three other officers are given the task of getting to know some of the local thugs in the area, and thus earning their trust.
They soon realise that this is easier than what they are used to, going to football matches, down the pub everynight, etc.
Unfortunatly this changes John dramatically, and the others soon realise that he has become an even bigger thug than the football hooligans.

The story of John's demise really is told well, and as his life falls apart he soon realises just how low he has sunk.
A fantastic film.

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral
Another movie which surprised me a lot. I didn't see this film until almost 2 years after it's release, but it has now become one of my favourites of all time.

Not being a fan of Hugh Grant's, I never expected this to be at all funny. But was hugely surprised at just how humorous this film was.
Four Weddings is jam packed with classic moments, including the very funny moment when Grant's character Charles finds himslef stuck in a bedroom after one of the weddings, and is forced to watch and listen to the new married couple making love on the bed.

This movie highlights typical British comedy and although some may cringe at the humour, Four Weddings is still a delightful movie to watch.

5. The Krays
I have read a lot of books on the Krays, and although this film is not highly accurate Martin and Gary Kemp are excellent as the two brothers.

Many have criticised this film for glamour
ising the Kray's dealings during the 60's, but I think that the Kray's darker side is highlighted just as well.

The Kray's has some brutal and violent scenes at times, although the film never goes as far as so many American movies you see nowadays, and the balance for me is just about right.

Those who are interested in The Kray's ( If that is the right word ) will probably enjoy this film more than most, but I found this hugely entertaining to watch and instantly became a fan of both Martin and Gary Kemp after watching this.

6. Let Him Have it
This tells the true story of Derek Bentley, A 19 year old man, with the mental age of an 8 year old. Who was hung for a murder he didn't commit during the 60's.
After Bentley and his friend Christopher Craig failed to break into a local butchers, they proceeded to try and break into a local depertment store.

Unfortunaty for the two boys ( Craig was only 16 ) they were seen climbing onto the roof of the building, and within minutes they realised they were trapped on top of the building by several police officers.

Unable to enter the building via the front door, several officers took the same route as the boys onto the roof, climbing a drainpipe. Craig, angered by the recent imprisonment of his brother, and full of hatred for all police officer's began to open fire at anyone and anything in his path.
The resulting chaos saw PC Miles shot in the head at point blank range.

The story is centred on Bentley, played superbly by Christopher Eccelstone and the ensuing courtcase which centred on the words 'Let him have it Chris'. Apparently spoken by Bently before Craig started firing on the police.

Bently, having such a low mental age was destroyed in the witness box and so was found guilty of murder, despite not actually having shot anyone.

This is truelly a sad story, and judging by what I have read about the cas
e, is the most accurate true story movie I have ever seen.
A must see for anybody who likes true stories.

7. Lock Stock and two smoking barrels
This classic British film succeeded in putting British films truely on the map. And proved that good gangster movies can be made this side of the water.

Guy Richie's truelly excellent film, sees the tale of 4 friends digging themselves out of trouble after one of them loses a fortune at cards.

Although not immediatly apparent to some, this movie cleverly tells several different stories in one, and connects them all nicely come the end of the film.

There are many young stars in this movie who shine throughout, but the star of the show for me is Vinny Jones, who plays his character Chris almost to perfection.

Lock Stock, although a dark film is surprisingly funny in parts, and this only adds to the viewing pleasure.

8. Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory
A surprise? I guess so to many of you, although this remains a classic film even after all this time.

With two young kids, I have recently seen this film a couple of times after not watching it for a good 15 years or so, and although I am now into adulthood ( By some 10 years :o) ), this musical is still a joy to watch.

Some of you may not strictly class this as a British movie, although I am including this as most of the story takes place in England ( Or at least I am guessing so on memory ).

Gene Wilder is superb as the eccentric Willy Wonka and if ever you want to re-serface the child in you then I would recommend watching this movie again.

9. Morons From Outer Space
This is by no means a classic. And I'm sure many of you will say that this is a dire movie. But as a big fan of the likes of Mel Smith, Jimmy Nail and Griff Rhys Jones i am going to include this film.

This was realised when I was still at school, and although not one of my favourite films e
ver ( Not by a long shot ), I can still remember how good I thought this was when I first watched it.

Despite the poor storyline and unrealistic aspect of the film there are still some laugh out loud moments in this film, and Mel Smith in particular is funny as the disowned alien.

10. The Commitments
Another film that is not really amongst my very best, but certainly is a good film.
Very funny at times and added to that a great soundtrack, this story about an up and coming Irish band is a nice film to watch.

There are no big names in this movie, although this probably helps the film in a big way. Giving an even bigger impression that the Commitments are a group of unknowns.

This movie was hugely successful on it's release, and although it has been surpassed since it's release, it is still a fine British movie in it's own right.


Obviously a lot of you will not agree with my choices here. But as I have said these are just my opinions on a few of my favourite British movies.

Afterall, this is what this site is all about.