The British Film Industry

1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British.

A movie that is either set in the UK or focuses on British ideas such as culture or issues

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

Hollywood production context: American, high budget and famous actors

British production context: British, low budget, up-and-coming actors word-of-mouth out advertising

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

In the 1960s

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

Video nasties banning

5) What groups are often represented in British films? Give examples of movies these groups feature in.

Youth - Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange & Eden Lake (Rollercoaster Films, 2008)

Complex female characters in the film have appeared in early British Films, however, these were always seen as extraordinary. Women have largely suffered in line with the current attitude towards women of the day with a gradual shift and awareness of inequality towards women gaining ground from the 1980s onwards.

6) What does the Factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?

The overwhelming characteristic that will most appeal to a British audience is the social theme that provides the through line for many British film narratives. The British audience has a keen interest in British films that focus on class, social strife, education and more.

1) What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film counts as British?

If a film does not qualify as a co-production, it must pass the British Film Institute’s Cultural Test to be defined as British. The Cultural Test is divided into four sections and a film must score at least 16 out of a possible 31 points to be classified as British.

2) Complete the task on the Factsheet - choose three of the films listed and research them to determine their score on the cultural test: The Sweeney (2012), Attack The Block, The King's Speech, We Need To Talk About Kevin and Skyfall.

3) What is the main problem for the British film industry?

Historically, the British film industry has been production led rather than distribution led. This means that many UK films are made but, to get the film exhibited, the filmmakers have to sacrifice the distribution rights by selling the film to a distribution company. Once sold, all revenue from cinema screenings, DVD and Blu-ray sales, plus sales to television companies, are lost. Even a highly successful British film is not necessarily making money that will be reinvested in British filmmaking.

4) What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?

Britain has had a film industry since well before World War I and several important film studios are British, such as Ealing Studios and Pinewood Studios

Outstanding creative skills of practitioners

Outstanding facilities

5) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

Firstly, British filmmakers could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat.

The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low-budget films targeted at a niche, British audience.

6) Which of these two options would best safeguard the future of the British film industry?

The second option ensures that the "Britishness" of films aren't lost to the Hollywood style of filmmaking.