The British Film Industry

What makes a film British? 

There are many different criteria to consider such as if the film is made in Britain; whether the film is funded by a British institution; is there a British leading role and whether there is a British subject matter included. 

What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and production context of a British film? 

The context tends to be varied within British films. The Hollywood production context means that the films would be high  budget, have a heavy reliance on the cast and celebrities within the film and have spectacle driven stories. The British production context however does not have any clearly defined characteristics. They could be high budget, high concept films or purely character driven, low budget films. 

When did the James Bond franchise start? 

The 1960s brought about the beginning of the extremely successful James Bond franchise. 

In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s? 

The rise of sexual content began in the 1970s, both the act of sex and sex linked to violence was portrayed in such films as 'A Clockwork Orange.' In the 1980s we see more videos and the 'video nasty' scare where film making was becoming more accessible and more extreme content was being created and emerging into Britain. 

What groups are often represented in British films?

Issues such as class, politics, social change and education are some of the many issues that British film has explored throughout its history. There is the portrayal of young people in British films as being quite violent and anarchic, for example in films such as 'A Clockwork Orange.' In films such as 'Eden Lake,' youths are represented in a similar way. Both support the stereotype that youths are rebels and violent. Contemporary representations in films such as 'Attack The Block'  achieve to reveal a positive and more realistic portrayal of youths, challenging the stereotype. 

Women are also represented as either the virgin, the mother or the whore. Although British film, especially in the 1960s with the New Wave have often treated women more through the prism of social realism.

What does the Fact sheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film? 

The focus on British culture makes the films appealing. To appeal to a native British audience; the actors should be clearly identifiable as British, for example Hugh Grant. 

The social theme for using London and British locations as settings appeal largely to audiences. The focus on class, social strife and education are also appealing. A socially conscious narrative also appeals to audiences as they address current social and political concerns. There is also a dose of humour which is within a British film, into even the most rigorous of social realism films so it appeals to the British sensibility of the stiff upper lip.