Everybody knows that Hollywood is the movie capital of the world, but England is the home to some amazing films. Some of them are obvious, some of them not so obvious. In this post, we’ll be highlighting English movies that you’ve likely never seen before but are well worth a watch.
Some of the best known English movies
Inception
We’re just going to put this in the “obvious” category. Christopher Nolan’s Inception is a masterpiece of modern cinema. A tightly plotted, mind-bending thriller that showcases a master’s talent for keeping his audience on the edge of their seats. You won’t find a single scene in this film that you won’t recognize when you watch it for the first time. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is called The Implant, which can be found in the 10th scene.
Shaun of the Dead
The same holds true for Shaun of the Dead, a wildly hilarious, wickedly funny zombie comedy. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Jessica Stevenson, the story follows a group of friends as they get into various misadventures as the world is overrun by zombies.
The purpose of this post isn’t to cover films that are this obvious though, so below we’ll get to our real list.
Black Narcissus (1947)
What it’s about: A woman travels to Italy, gets raped, goes back to London and is tormented by a madman. And he’s getting ready to kill her and her lover. A psychological thriller with stunning cinematography. Why you should watch it: The most underrated film of the second world war (and one of the great crime/psychological thrillers of all time). Adrienne Posta (who plays the lead role) won the best actress award at Cannes.
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1975)
What it’s about: A blind father seeks to connect with his daughter through a race. Why you should watch it: This film about loneliness and the power of being able to identify with the other side of the world has a memorable star cast including Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, James Fox and Vanessa Redgrave.
The Damned United (2009)
Director David Suchet David Suchet, the great but under-appreciated acting talent from ‘Poirot’ is the voice of Damned United. It is based on the life of Brian Clough, the manager of Nottingham Forest and his turbulent relationship with Peter Taylor. If you’ve never heard of it, let this be your introduction. This was one of the very first mainstream films that showed off the unmistakable British passion for soccer. Even if you don’t follow soccer, the passion is tangible. It follows the full story of Brian Clough as the Nottingham Forest manager in the 1970s. The cast is an English dream team with great performances, especially from Michael Sheen (as Brian Clough) and Clive Owen (as Peter Taylor). One of the major praises for the film is its subtlety.
The Anniversary Party (2001)
A great example of the importance of casting in a film. Making it all the more enjoyable was the fact that both Robert Downey Jr. and Keira Knightley were unknown to the British public when they were cast. Directed by Justin Malen (who has also directed two of the best Sherlock Holmes movies) the film is a rather dark comedy, so don’t take this film to any beach trips or outdoor movie gatherings.
The Railway Children (1974)
Shane Meadows is another director that has since become well-known, but back in the day he was a relatively unknown director. However, the UK audience knew that they could rely on him to produce some well-made, darkly comedic films.
Chicken Run (2000)
This British comedy/action film was an adaptation of a popular kids TV series and also stars Gwenyth Paltrow and Timothy Spall. It follows a group of chickens on a daily adventure through the characters’ lives. It contains a memorable music soundtrack.
Goodbye Cruel World (2007)
Written and directed by former Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge, Goodbye Cruel World is a drama featuring an emotional drama that depicts the meaning of life in a Northern English family. The mother’s death at the beginning of the film brings the siblings and their families back together to remember her through a retrospective look at her childhood and adult life.
The Trip (2011)
Possibly the best movie about food ever made, this buddy comedy revolves around two old friends (Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon) who embark on a road trip across the UK’s most delicious foodie destinations, stuffing themselves silly in the process. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in The Trip There’s also lots of subtle comedy at play as the characters chat each other up and act out various scenarios. But it’s not simply a film about food. We learn a lot about their friendship too.
Conclusion
With the American Box Office far more ‘big-budget’ than the UK box office, and many people preferring a more down-to-earth film to enjoy, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about English movies. Hopefully, these suggestions get you started on the right foot.
