According to UK Film Council, British films showed an increase in popularity in 2005. Apparently, ticket sales were up 45% (£176 million) on the top 20 British films last year despite the number of films being made dropping by 40%.
The top 20 British films of 2004 were:
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
3. Troy
4. The Phantom of the Opera
5. Wimbledon
6. King Arthur
7. Shaun of the Dead
8. Thunderbirds
9. Bride and Prejudice
10. Alien vs Predator
11. Alfie
12. Layer Cake
13. Around the World in 80 Days
14. Girl with a Pearl Earring
15. Finding Neverland
16. Ladies in Lavender
17. Resident Evil: Apocalypse
18. Tooth
19. 5 Children and It
20. Man About Dog
Now, I don’t know about you, but most of those don’t look British to me. I’m not entirely sure what consitutes a ‘British’ film in the film council’s eyes (I think it’s something to do with where the money comes from).
I’d be willing to let 1 and 2 slide, based on English books, primarily English cast, shot in the UK, fine. Troy, however, is a US production, there’s a few UK actors, okay, but it was shot in Mexico. Wimbledon was shot in the UK, has a lot of Brits in, but is firmly American in it’s script and outlook. King Arthur is a Jerry Bruckheimer (him of Pearl Harbour, Gone in 60 Seconds, CSI) production with a US director. Again, shot in the UK with a lot of Brits, but not really a UK production in my eyes.
Shaun of the Dead, 100% British, excellent. Thunderbirds, well the original series is ours, but that’s it, it’s a kids movie and is aimed very squarely at the US.
I’d say less than half of those on the list are what I would call British (i.e. are easily recognisable as British and have a uniquely British feel).
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