My Top 10 Favourite British Films

Chariot of Fires screenwriter Colin Welland once said infamously at the 1982 Oscars that "The British are coming", when truthfully, the "British" were already there. We have been making films for over a century, with plenty of cracking masterpieces in that number. So here you have it, here's my current list of TOP 10 Favourite British Films! *This list is in no particular order of favouritism* 10. 28 Days Later (2002) Director: Danny Boyle Key Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccelston

First film on the list is Danny Boyle's take on post-apocalyptic horror that is 28 Days Later. The plot depicts the breakdown of society following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus and focuses upon the struggle of four survivors to cope with the destruction of the life they once knew. Successful both commercially and critically, this film has been credited for reinvigorating the zombie genre with the introduction to very fast moving "zombies" who have been infected with the RAGE virus. Terrifying with a sharp political allegory, this is perhaps one the best horror films I've seen in a good while.

9. A Clockwork Orange (1971) Director: Stanley Kubrick Key Cast: Malcolm Macdowell

Next film on the list is Kubrick's controversial but classic film that is A Clockwork Orange. Starring Malcolm Macdowell, the film tells the story of charismatic, antisocial delinquent named Alex whose interests include listening to classical music (particularly Beethoven), committing rape and what is termed as 'ultra-violence'. The film chronicles the horrific crime spree of his gang, his capture, and attempted rehabilitation via an experimental psychological conditioning technique named Ludovico. Despite being disturbing and thought-provoking, this is one of Kubrick's finest movies thanks to a superb performance by all the cast, accompanied with a brilliant soundtrack!

8. This is England (2006) Director: Shane Meadows Key Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham

Set in 1983 during when Thatcher was Prime Minister, the film centers on a gang of young skinheads whose subculture, which has its roots in 1960s West Indies culture, became adopted by the extreme nationalists, which led to divisions within the skinhead scene.

Typically for a Meadows film, This is England is exceptionally well written with some infectious dialogue and fully-fleshed characters, though one of the film's stand-out attributes is that of Danny Cohen's cinematography. Being a film set during the 80s, its look plays a significant part in the audience buying into the film. Many 80s-set films have been betrayed by garish lighting and ultimately end up looking like contemporary people parading around in 20-year-old clothing. Cohen's photography really manages to encapsulate the bleak feeling that was evident of the time, and is both gritty and dour.

Rated as one of the best films of 2006, This is England is essential viewing for anyone with even a passing interest in film. Once again Meadows has set a precedent for British filmmakers and has eclipsed many of his contemporaries. It may not make for comfortable viewing but it is cinema at its best.

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Director: Alfonso Cuaron Key Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon

The third and still the best of the Potter films, this was the one where things got magical. Freed from the world creation duties that Chris Columbus had shouldered in the first two films, Alfonso Cuarón stripped down the story, amped up the attitude and added some edge to proceedings. He's also helped by the fact that this is maybe the best of the books, upping the stakes more significantly than any other single instalment, introducing a welcome element of ambiguity to Hogwarts' hallowed halls with the development that an escaped prisoner may be responsible for the deaths of Harry's parents (or, then again, not) and that the cool new teacher may hide dangerous secrets. The films may get progressively darker, but this one had just the right mix of shadows and light.

6. Trainspotting (1996) Director: Danny Boyle Key Cast: Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremmer, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald

In adapting Irvine Welsh's cult novel, director Danny Boyle re-teamed with the winning creative talent behind Shallow Grave (1994), and the rest is an offbeat rush of dark, orgasmic cinema. Ignoring tabloid arguments of whether the movie glorifies drug use or not (it doesn't), a grotty depiction of the Edinburgh junkie subculture just shouldn't be this enjoyable. But in fusing wildly imaginative style (Renton's plunge into the filthiest toilet in Scotland) with naturalistic but witty dialogue, an impossibly iconic soundtrack, and some truly disturbing imagery. From Robert Carlyle's 'tache-totting psycho to Jonny Lee Miller's Connery-worshipping wideboy, it's also full of memorable, quote-worthy characters, while Mark Renton remains the performance of Ewan McGregor's career.​

5. Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) Director: Steve Box, Nick Park Key Cast: Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter

We hoped and prayed that Aardman's stop-motion creatives could find a way to turn Wallace and Gromit into movie stars. Could they really sustain the wit and vibrancy of Wigan's delightful duo for a whole hour and a half? Wouldn't Wallace overdose on cheese along the way? We needn't have worried. The sparkling Curse Of The Were-Rabbit positively brims with ideas and energy, dazzling movie fans with 'cracking' references to everything from The Incredible Hulk to King Kong and Top Gun, and bounds along like a hound in a hurry. The plot, the part we foolishly thought might let it down, pitches the famously mute Dogwarts' Gromit and his Wensleydale-chomping owner Wallace (Sallis) against the dastardly Victor Quartermaine (Fiennes), taking mutating bunnies, prize-winning marrows and the posh Lady Tottington (Bonham Carter) along for the ride. In short, it's the most marvelously English animation there is.

4. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Director: Edgar Wright

Key Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Directed by one of my all-time favourite directors Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead is a film so good that even if you don't like horror, you'll love this movie. It's all because it was written, produced and acted with such passion, energy and sheer, unadulterated charm that it's nigh-on impossible not to enjoy. No matter what magnificent deeds the trio accomplish in the future, we have a sneaking suspicion that Shaun Of The Dead will remain many folks' favourite. Quite possibly my top favourite comedy film of all time!

3. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Director: Edgar Wright

Key Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Once again, another golden modern classic directed by the brilliant Edgar Wright,Hot Fuzz is a buddy-cop comedy that also stars both Simon Pegg and Nick Frost playing police officers who attempt to solve a series of mysterious deaths in Sanford, a village in the West Country. Though not quite as consistently hilarious as Shaun of the Dead, the film nails the genre clichés, with everything from Point Break to Bad Boys II (both openly referenced) humorously homaged. It's initially a tad jarring to see Pegg as the straight man, but his natural chemistry with long-time real-life pal Frost remains endearing as ever. Elsewhere, the Scooby Doo-meets-Scream mystery is peppered with Britain's finest talent, playing up the English small-town clichés to great effect in a brilliantly incongruous meeting of sleepy rural life and stabby violent action!

2. Casino Royale (2006) Director: Martin Campbell Key Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen

Starring top actor Daniel Craig, this under-rated modern Bond film is noted for being smartly written, and taking a new darker leap towards James Bond whilst departing from the series' conventions. Whilst Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond doesn't fit the original portrait of Ian Fleming's character, I personally enjoy the more brutal and colder tone of his character in the more recent films like Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre. Craig makes a superb Bond, who gives the sense of a hard man, wounded by life and his job, who nevertheless cares about people and right and wrong.

1. Attack the Block (2011) Director: Joe Cornish Key Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Nick Frost

First-time director Joe Cornish excels in this very funny comedy about an alien invasion that takes place on a London council estate. When the aliens start terrorizing the tower block, it's left to a gang of hoodlums and a trainee Nurse (Whittaker) they've just mugged to group together and fight back.

In a cinematic landscape littered with aliens that all look bland and identical, Cornish’s creatures are bold and memorable creations. Jet-black and ferocious gorilla-wolves with luminescent teeth and claws, savaging characters in scenes that recall An American Werewolf In London.

Occasionally, the budget bites; there are several scenes where characters simply run away from a threat you sense there wasn’t enough money to show. But these are minor quibbles in a film that’s smart, commercial, original and, particularly in an outstanding slo-mo climax, unashamedly cinematic!