More tea, vicar? - Britmovie

Brian Brandt · 06-05-2003, 11:58 AM

The Farnham Film Company's site has an article about the top ten cliches of UK films. Pretty funny. http://www.farnfilm.com/cliche.htm

Polynikes · 06-05-2003, 02:12 PM

Too true but the article forgets other British genres:

1. Camp (and awful) comedy: Eg Nuns on the Run.
Every Carry-On film ever made but also gentle friendly comedy like "Waking Ned".

2. Story telling: Eg the Dambusters, The Bridge too Far, Sink the Bismark, The Bridge on the River Kwai.

3. Camp (and awful) horror: Eg the Hammer movies & the Laughably incompetant "Life Force".

4. Fantasy: A Matter of Life & Death, The Man in the White Suit.

5. Modern Comment: "East". "Baji on the Beach", "Billy Elliot".

6. Historical costume Drama: Howards End, Far From the Madding Crowd, Shakespeare in Love, Chariots of Fire & Topsy Turvy.
NB: these were all 1st class productions

The worst feature of Brit movies these days is the inferiority complex that it has. Unless it has a distinctive "British" feel and has an American actor/actress in a lead role, then the producers don't think it will make money.

Four Weddings & a Funeral & Notting Hill would both have been better without: 1. Hugh Grant & 2. A US actress.
I could think of dozens of such examples like the poor "Traders" & "Not Quite Jerusalem", "For Queen & Country", "The Crying Game".

Then there are those stylish gangster movies like "Snatch" & "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrells".
I wonder if Guy Ritchie will prove to be a British Tarantino, capable of two outstanding movies before his ideas run dry.

[ 06. May 2003, 15:13: Message edited by: Polynikes ]

Carterh · 21-01-2004, 10:29 AM

Excellant article. I agree with Ploynikes that costume drama of the at 'The View from Howard's End' should have been included. Also those inspirational movies usially set in the north such as Brassed Off, Billy Elliot and Little Voice.

P.S. 'Lifeforce' is a classic. Almost as good as 'Xtro'.

C

06-05-2003, 11:58 AM	#1
Brian Brandt has no status. Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 82 Country: iTrader: (0)	More tea, vicar? The Farnham Film Company's site has an article about the top ten cliches of UK films. Pretty funny. http://www.farnfilm.com/cliche.htm

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06-05-2003, 02:12 PM	#2
Polynikes has no status. Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 54 iTrader: (0)	Too true but the article forgets other British genres: 1. Camp (and awful) comedy: Eg Nuns on the Run. Every Carry-On film ever made but also gentle friendly comedy like "Waking Ned". 2. Story telling: Eg the Dambusters, The Bridge too Far, Sink the Bismark, The Bridge on the River Kwai. 3. Camp (and awful) horror: Eg the Hammer movies & the Laughably incompetant "Life Force". 4. Fantasy: A Matter of Life & Death, The Man in the White Suit. 5. Modern Comment: "East". "Baji on the Beach", "Billy Elliot". 6. Historical costume Drama: Howards End, Far From the Madding Crowd, Shakespeare in Love, Chariots of Fire & Topsy Turvy. NB: these were all 1st class productions The worst feature of Brit movies these days is the inferiority complex that it has. Unless it has a distinctive "British" feel and has an American actor/actress in a lead role, then the producers don't think it will make money. Four Weddings & a Funeral & Notting Hill would both have been better without: 1. Hugh Grant & 2. A US actress. I could think of dozens of such examples like the poor "Traders" & "Not Quite Jerusalem", "For Queen & Country", "The Crying Game". Then there are those stylish gangster movies like "Snatch" & "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrells". I wonder if Guy Ritchie will prove to be a British Tarantino, capable of two outstanding movies before his ideas run dry. [ 06. May 2003, 15:13: Message edited by: Polynikes ]

21-01-2004, 10:29 AM	#3
Carterh has no status. Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 83 Country: iTrader: (0)	Excellant article. I agree with Ploynikes that costume drama of the at 'The View from Howard's End' should have been included. Also those inspirational movies usially set in the north such as Brassed Off, Billy Elliot and Little Voice. P.S. 'Lifeforce' is a classic. Almost as good as 'Xtro'. C