BFI Top 100 British films
In 1999, the British Film Institute surveyed 1,000 people from the world of British film and television to produce a list of the greatest British films of the 20th century. Voters were asked to choose up to 100 films that were "culturally British".
Article
BFI Top 100 British films
In 1999, the British Film Institute surveyed 1,000 people from the world of British film and television to produce a list of the greatest British films of the 20th century. Voters were asked to choose up to 100 films that were "culturally British".
List breakdown
BFI Top 100 British films
• The 1960s head the list with 26 films of merit for the decade. • The most represented years, with four films each, are 1949, 1963, and 1996. • The earliest film selected was The 39 Steps (1935), and only two other 1930s films made the list. • David Lean is the most represented director on the list, with seven films, three in the top five and The Bridge on the River Kwai in eleventh place. • Michael Powell follows with five entries, co-directing four of them with Emeric Pressburger as part of the Powell and Pressburger ("The Archers") filmmaking partnership. • John Schlesinger also directed four. • Alexander Mackendrick and Tony Richardson each directed three films. • Ealing Studios produced seven films on the list, all between 1949 and 1955. • Alec Guinness is the most represented actor, with nine films – six in starring roles and three in supporting roles. • Julie Christie is the most represented actress, with six films on the list.
Top 10
BFI Top 100 British films
<table><thead><tr><th>Rank</th><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Director</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>The Third Man</td><td>1949</td><td>Carol Reed</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Brief Encounter</td><td>1945</td><td>David Lean</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Lawrence of Arabia</td><td>1962</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>The 39 Steps</td><td>1935</td><td>Alfred Hitchcock</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Great Expectations</td><td>1946</td><td>David Lean</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Kind Hearts and Coronets</td><td>1949</td><td>Robert Hamer</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Kes</td><td>1969</td><td>Ken Loach</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Don't Look Now</td><td>1973</td><td>Nicolas Roeg</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>The Red Shoes</td><td>1948</td><td>Powell and Pressburger</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Trainspotting</td><td>1996</td><td>Danny Boyle</td></tr></tbody></table>