BFI Top 100 British films
In 1999 the British Film Institute surveyed 1,000 people from the world of British film and television to produce the BFI 100 list of the greatest British films of the 20th century. Voters were asked to choose up to 100 films that were 'culturally British'. Some of the selected films were wholly or partly produced by non-UK companies, or made with input from film makers born overseas, but were regarded by voters as having significant British involvement.[1]
List breakdown
- The 1960s led the pack with 26 films of merit for the decade; four films for each year, 1949, 1963 and 1971; and The earliest film selected was The 39 Steps (1935). Only two other 1930s films made the list, and after 1935, the only years not represented are 1936–1937, 1940–1941, 1950, 1956, 1972 and 1974–78.
- David Lean, with seven films, is the most popular director; followed by Michael Powell (five films of which four were collaborations with Emeric Pressburger; Powell and Pressburger ("The Archers") and John Schlesinger had four films each while Alexander Mackendrick and Tony Richardson each had three. Seven of the films were produced by Ealing Studios during the years 1949–55.
- The most represented actor is Alec Guinness, with nine films of merit although three appearances were in supporting roles. Living actor Michael Caine is most represented, starring in seven films.
- Julie Christie is the most represented actress with six films on the list.
The top ten films
| Rank | Title | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Third Man | 1949 | ReedCarol Reed |
| 2 | Brief Encounter | 1945 | LeanDavid Lean |
| 3 | Lawrence of Arabia | 1962 | LeanDavid Lean |
| 4 | The 39 Steps | 1935 | HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock |
| 5 | Great Expectations | 1946 | LeanDavid Lean |
| 6 | Kind Hearts and Coronets | 1949 | HamerRobert Hamer |
| 7 | Kes | 1969 | LoachKen Loach |
| 8 | Don't Look Now | 1973 | RoegNicolas Roeg |
| 9 | The Red Shoes | 1948 | Powell and Pressburger |
| 10 | Trainspotting | 1996 | BoyleDanny Boyle |
See also
- Time Out 100 best British films
- Films considered the greatest ever
- BFI TV 100 – a list of the best British television programmes
- In 2004 the BFI compiled a list of the 100 biggest UK cinematic hits of all time based on audience viewing, the list was released as a book. The top 10 are available in this BBC News Online story.
References
- ↑ BBC. 23 September 1999. Entertainment: Best 100 British films - full list. Accessed 30 January 2014.