DB7

Here are 25 films that aren't illustrious and for one reason or another passed many people by. These films may have lacked publicity and hype, failed to earn widespread distribution, be low budget, flawed, but may be worth a second viewing.

That the decade began with Lew Grade’s Raise the Titanic was maybe an indicator of what was to come. The era of Thatcherism and probably the bleakest in terms of British film production when the industry was practically on it’s knees. Elstree was sold and the likes of Goldcrest and Handmade had the occasional success but ultimately would up. Ironically it was to be that one-time demon of the cinema, television, which was to play a significant part in innovative film production when Channel 4 was launched.

Angel (1982, Neil Jordan) A tough, violent thriller set in Northern Ireland which tells of a dance band saxophone player who witnesses a brutal murder then embarks on a nightmare journey of vengeance. Neil Jordan's debut movie takes the conventions of a standard thriller plot - innocent bystander witnesses horrific murders and turns avenger – and integrates them cleverly into a hypnotic and often surreal path through Ulster's underworld.

Another Country (1984, Marek Kanievska) Drama set during the 1930s when two handsome young men attending an English boarding school enjoy a homosexual affair. Julian Mitchell's adapted his own play about the background to the Burgess/MacLean spy scandal. A wonderfully flamboyant exposure of what makes a traitor, this deserved more acclaim and box-office receipts than it got.

Another Time, Another Place (1983, Michael Radford) A Highland farmer's wife finds her attraction to three Italian prisoners-of-war developing into something much deeper. This was one of the first ‘Film on Fours’, and it set a precedent for the innovative and brave new tradition in British filmmaking.

Comfort and Joy (1984, Bill Forsyth) Melancholy Scottish urban fairy tale about lonely radio personality drawn into absurd "ice cream war" just before Christmas. It’s a much more ambitious work than Forsyth's previous comedy Gregory's Girl, but is too amiable to see any kind of menace in the Mafia terrorists.

The Dawning (1988, Robert Knights) In 1920s Ireland, a young woman is charmed by a mysterious revolutionary into a world of terrorism, intrigue, and divided loyalties. Avoiding heavy-handedness or didacticism, director Robert Knights cleverly depicts the rise of the Irish Republican Army.

The Dresser (1983, Peter Yates) Based on Ronald Harwood's award winning play about a spoilt and moody all-powerful actor-manager who is cracking up under the strain of keeping his travelling Shakespearean company operational. It is almost exactly like watching a play with the audience confined to a stage atmosphere. The film abandons the visuals of typical filmmaking in favour of a poignant character study.

For Queen and Country (1988, Martin Stellman) Rueben, a black veteran from the Falklands conflict, returns home to the housing estate where he lived as a younger man. Older, wiser, and chastened by his experiences, he has become a different man from the thieving, brawling soccer hooligan who signed up on a whim, nine years before. London council estate, only to be told he is no longer a British citizen. It's all rather depressing stuff, but Stellman's own script captures the mood of the time intelligently.

Friendship's Death (1987, Peter Wollen) The relationship between a British journalist and a female alien who misses her intended destination of MIT, landing instead in Amman, Jordan during "Black September" of 1970. A peculiar, and often haunting low budget film that provides proof of innovation in British cinema.

Heavenly Pursuits (1985, Charles Gormley) Romantic comedy tale of a remedial teacher who carefully watches his success with the children he teaches but also has his eye on the attractive new music teacher. A series of inexplicable happenings leads the press to believe that he is a miracle worker and the glare of publicity strains his romance. A delightful British film about miracles and religion, sharply written and often hilarious, this treat of a movie features terrific performances from a cast which includes Tom Conti, Helen Mirren and Ewen Bremner.

The Hit (1984, Stephen Frears) The Hit concerns a criminal informant on ice for the past decade in Spain. Found out by the mobster who wants revenge on him, he is apprehended by a pair of hit men who have to escort him to Paris. Along the way, the serene abductee, having become a bit enlightened during his ten-year retreat, seems not to worry about death or anything else. It's his overseers who feel the strain of their imminent task of spilling his blood. Smart, very funny, and very unconventional.

Letter to Brezhnev (1985, Chris Bernard) Comic tale set in Liverpool, which follows the fortunes of two girls who fall for two Russian sailors. They discover that love in Russia must be better than being in Liverpool on the dole. One of the all-time great British movies, a superb script from Frank Clarke and stunning performances from all the cast make this vibrant film worth cherishing.

A Month in the Country (1987, Pat O’Connor) Two young war-weary veterans have come to a peaceful Yorkshire town to escape the horrors of war. But their work at the church takes an explosive turn as one ignites long-denied passion within the Pastor's young wife, which forces the other veteran to face his own dark desires. Director Pat O'Connor fashions a small and poignant gem, with a finale that brings one close to tears.

Moonlighting (1982, Jerzy Skolimowski) Four Polish building workers arrive in England to carry out a month's moonlighting for a rich compatriot. The problem is, it is December 1981, the time of the military crackdown in Poland. The four workers become stranded. Directed with vigour and assurance by exiled Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski, this razor sharp satire brilliantly equates the experiences of a crew of moonlighting Polish builders in Thatcherite London with the plight of the workers in the Gdansk shipyard at the height of the Solidarity uprising.

The Ploughman's Lunch (1983, Richard Eyre) A deceitful BBC radio news producer tries every trick in the book to enable him to climb to the top in his career. In the midst of his plans he discovers that he has been the object of a deception far more clever than his own. Director Richard Eyre pokes a camera at the British establishment and its dry, rigid social mores.

Paperhouse (1988, Bernard Rose) Childhood fantasies transform into terror filled nightmares when a house sketched by a lonely and very imaginative child comes to life in a recurring dream, which changes as the drawing is altered. To define Paperhouse as a mere horror film would be an injustice--although this intelligent and thought-provoking British film is certainly scary in parts. Based on the novel Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr, Paperhouse offers a believable cause for its intensified dream world. Paperhouse is not in any sense simply a children's movie, even though its subject may seem to point it in that direction. It is a thoughtfully written, meticulously directed fantasy in which the actors play their roles with great seriousness. This is not a movie to be measured and weighed and plumbed, but to be surrendered to.

A Private Function (1984, Malcolm Mowbray) With Britain in the grip of post-war rationing, a chiropodist steals a contraband pig being fattened secretly by the town's dignitaries. Scripted by Alan Bennett, it is an often hilarious mixture of well-observed social comedy and sometimes laborious earthy humour.

Queen of Hearts (1989, Jon Amiel) An Italian couple defy both their families and marry for love. Four children later, they are running a diner in England. Queen of Hearts is as bewitching a film experience as you could hope for, fantasy and humour but there’s also was a fairly substantial story - a story about what it means to belong to a family. Add terrific period atmosphere, and engaging performances from a largely unknown cast, and you've a terrific piece of offbeat entertainment that can be thoroughly recommended.

Restless Natives (1985, Michael Hoffman) A low budget gem. Two young Edinburgh lads become modern day highwaymen holding up tourist coaches in this fine comedy with a soundtrack by Big Country. Restless Natives is an enjoyable cranky ride with a quick wave to Bill Forsyth as it speeds past.

The Shooting Party (1985, Alan Bridges) Polished comedy of manners paints subtle yet powerful portrait of upper-class dissolution as WWI dawns. With its light touch, this pleases fans of literate, astute, character-driven social drama. This small, intelligent, ensemble piece, casts a jaundiced eye towards class-consciousness and ends with a sudden, senseless but not altogether unexpected tragedy. Connoisseurs of British television drama may have seen it all before, but this still has acting class in abundance.

Stormy Monday (1988, Mike Figgis) Finney is a tough nightclub owner who is used to getting his own way. Frank Cosmo is an American who came to Britain to do business – dirty business. A stylish film noir set in Newcastle that creates a great atmosphere of melancholy and menace but sadly the story never fully develops.

Venus Peter (1989, Ian Sellar) Filmed in Orkney, and based on Christopher Rush’s semi-autobiographical "Twelve Months and a Day", this is the moving story of one boy's childhood in a community which is rapidly changing. The story is set against the background of an inbred and insular community and is a marvellous example of how a child’s imagination can soar beyond physical boundaries.

Vroom (1988, Beeban Kidron) Two pals, and the older woman who moves in next door, set out from their small-town background in a classic American car they have lovingly restored to discover their dreams. Although nothing more than a formulaic road movie with a few quirky twists, the acting from headliners David Thewlis and Clive Owen make it a worthwhile trip.

Wetherby (1985, David Hare) Moody, offbeat, cerebral drama set in in Yorkshire about uninvited dinner guest's devastating impact on lonely schoolteacher's life. Critically acclaimed yet under-rated, the first rate performances and harrowing subject matter make this a thought provoking and intriguing British movie.

Wilt (1989, Michael Tuchner) Henry Wilt is a teacher of liberal studies to students on day-release from the nearby pie factory. His nighttime fantasies are full of ways in which to murder his bossy wife Eva. When she goes missing Police Inspector Russell Flint attempts to charge Wilt for the 'crime'. The story kicks in with a hint of lesbianism, a life-sized sex doll and the kind of smut-tinged humour you might have thought British comedies had grown out of. They haven't, though Alison Steadman and Grif Rhys Jones manage to make their characters as authentic as possible with an expertise sorely missing in the rest of the film.

A World Apart (1988, Chris Menges) Based upon a true story, this harrowing anti-apartheid tale is seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl, growing up in a violent world. Her family life is turned upside down when her mother is seized by the authorities, thrown into prison and tortured as a result of her fight for justice. Stirring stuff from director Chris Menges, and a must see.

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Also worth a mention:

Business as Usual (1987, Lezli-An Barrett) The true story of one woman who is unfairly dismissed from her shop managerial job after defending an employee who rejected the sexual advances of her boss. She refuses to accept the situation and stands up to fight for her rights, against all the odds. This debut feature from director Lezli-An Barrett has a tendency towards the didactic. Very eighties and anti-Thatcher in its approach, the film is watchable thanks to the conviction of the cast - particularly Glenda Jackson.

Coming Up Roses (1986, Stephen Bayley) Welsh language Ealing-esque comedy. The last cinema in a small town in South Wales closes. This means for the projectionist Trevor and ice cream vendor Mona that they are out of job. They come up with a new idea: They want to grow mushrooms in the humid climate of the cinema.

Eat the Rich (1987, Peter Richardson) Disgruntled ex-employees of posh London restaurant return as terrorists in blackly comic farce. Fine for fans of tasteless films, who'll enjoy the screeching, potty humour, perversity and violence. Peter Richardson's film is more of a student prank than a subversive satire. However, the movie's main fascination lies in its extraordinary array of cameos, from Paul McCartney and Bill Wyman to Koo Stark and French and Saunders.

The Magic Toyshop (1987, When her parents are killed in an accident, Melanie is thrust from her comfortable suburban home into the eerie world of her uncle's enchanted toyshop. Here the cold and sadistic toy maker manipulates his family for his own cruel amusement. This lush, unconventional Freudian fairytale is adapted from one of Angela Carter's most successful novels. For those with a taste for grotesque adult fairy tales, somewhat in the genre established with The Company of Wolves.

deckard

Another great posting,thanks DB7!I have seen some of the films on your list,Letter to Brezhnev,Restless Natives,Another Time,Another Place and A Private Function are all excellent and I'll be sure to check out the ones I haven't seen,on your recommendation. thumbs_u

"and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock"

Rob Compton

DB7 this is just brilliant, makes me want to see ALL of them!

Thanks very much indeed
Rob thumbs_u

joegib

Surely it was the pig that was incontinent!

42ndStreetFreak

"Who Dares Wins" - Vastky underrated. Once you know thi si not the fuill on SASA action movie many were expecting (to be fair there should be more SAS action in it, I agree) you can sit and watch a fine slice of 80's Brit life and attitudes (with a top cast), a wondeful score, a superbly crafted finale, and yet another gem of a cheese performance by the sadly underrated Lewis Collins.
His brief scene ("Professionals" tight shirt firmly in place) leading the SAS down the Embassy corridor to the wonderful theme music is a British film highlight!

[ 07. October 2004, 02:29: Message edited by: 42ndStreetFreak ]

MrDrakesDuck

Reminds me of another Michael PalinMaggie Smith comedy from the eighties, The Missionary.

Palin plays a clergyman who returns from Africa and ends up as a sort of 'missionary' for working girls in the East End.

Things get out of hand and he ends up bonking the girls he susposed to be saving. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

Michael Horden is fun as a dodering butler at a huge country mansion who can't remember his way round and ends up roaming the house and grounds when he only has a simple task.

Also an appearance from a very old Roland Culver which according to the IMDB was his last film.

"I thought I had to shoot Germans, not chew 'em"

Hell_driver

Angel was the first film I recorded when I first bought a video recorder. I only taped it to see if it was working properly and because Stephen Rea was in it and I'd liked him as Carter Brandon in I didn't know you cared, but what a bonus when I watched the film, terrific.

Another film from the '80's which deserves an honourable mention is Defence of The Realm with Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi and Denholm Elliott, very of it's time with the Government trying to cover up the story that reporters Byrne and Elliott stumble across from different directions.

cecilechina19

Hello! MrDrakesDuck!

I have read your post. And I need your help. could u give some reviews about the movie <The missionary>.
I have to write a review for that movie and I need some reference. Thank u for your help.
And my E-mail address is : cecilechina19@126.com

TheLurkerKIng

I've done somewhat better with this list, seeing four of the films--either in total or in part--on the list. All of which I highly recommend.

Another Country
One take on the Burgess-Maclean case. With a small part for Cary Elwes. This would be his second big screen appearance. His first being in "Oxford Blues."

For Queen and Country
With Denzel Washington in the starring role. Who, unlike most American actors appearing in British films, does American acting proud. And a small part for Chris Pitt, who seems to have dropped out of acting, after appearing in "The Krays." But, so depressing a film, it is almost impossible to watch.

Paperhouse
Of which I have seen only the last half hour, but one of the creepiest British horror films I have ever seen, and one I want to someday see in its entirity.

Shooting Party
James Mason's last big screen appearance, and one of those films which appears to have nothing happen in it, until you think about it, after its over, and you realize how much has really happened in the film. Also with Dorothy Tutin, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Robert Hardy, Cheryl Campbell, Judi Bowker, and Gordon Jackson.
I especially like the scenes with Mason and Gielgud. Just two old pros at work.