What is a British Film? How to define it? We must begin by asking the practical question of 'what constitutes a British film?' Given the international nature of the film industry both in terms of finance and people. the answer to this question is not as straight forward or obvious as it may seem. In pairs, brainstorm your own list of criteria thinking about the following: 1. Does the subject. story and/or setting of the film have to be British? If so, can you give some examples? 2. Does it have to be made by a British director? Give examples if you agree. 3. Does it have to be made in Britain? 4. Does it have to be wholly or largely financed by a British company or organisation? Do you know of any examples? 5. Should it be made primarily for British audiences? Can you give examples? 6. What was the last British film you saw? What made it British? 1
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SOME ANSWERS If you answered yes to this, how would you define Braveheart - a film with a Scottish subject, directed by and starring an Americn/Australian, filmed largely in Ireland and funded by a Hollywood company. 20th Century Fox? The Snapper is a BBC production, directed by an Englishman, produced by a Scottish woman but set in Dublin, written and starring Irish people. Rob Roy. on the other hand. was written, directed and produced by Scots. but funded by United Artists. and features an Irishman, Liam Neeson. and two Americans in major roles. The Snapper is registered as British, Rob Roy as American. If so. then films like Howard's End and The Remains of the Day, films with very British characters and settings. fail as their director. James Ivory. is American. On the other hand. Top Gun and Thelma and Louise. films with very American values and characters. were directed respectively by Tony and Ridley Scott. who are British. Not all films made in Britain are classified as British. Star Wars was made at Elstree Studios yet is registered as American. Judge Dredcf was made in Britain but in no way could be called a British film because of it.Chariots of Fire is a very British film and yet was made with Egyptian and American investment. Four Weddings and a Funeral. for example, features very British characters. a largely British cast and is entirely shot in England, and yet was made with more than one eye on America with its trans-Atlantic love affair. It did phenomenally well at the box office in the United States.
Why is it so difficult to define what a British film is, when it is quite simple to talk about Hollywood film or French film? Now write a definition of British film in no more than 25 words.
What does British mean anyway? How can you define it?
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