Ten Movies Representative of 20th Century Britain [Suggestions needed]

Submitted by bertie on Sun, 08/29/2004 - 06:59
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  • '00s:
  • '10s: Oh! What a Lovely War [1969]
  • '20s: Chariots of Fire [1981] Suggested by Professor.
  • '30s:
  • '40s: Hope and Glory [1987]
  • '50s: That'll Be the Day [1973] Suggested by Professor.
  • '60s: Smashing Time [1967] Alternate: The Knack [1965] Suggested by Impostor. Second alternate: The Krays [1990] Suggested by Professor.
  • '70s: Anita and Me [2002] Suggested by Rushmore.
  • '80s: My Beautiful Laundrette [1985] Suggested by Odysseus.
  • '90s: Notting Hill [1999] Suggested by Professor.
Author Comments: 

The purpose of this list to find movies that reflect the social/historical 'flavour' of each decade of 20th century Britain. They need not be considered best nor favorite movies. Although I would like the movie representing a decade to have been made in that decade, I don't insist upon it.

I'm counting on you, Professor.

Rushmore08/29/2004

"Anita & Me" Set In The 70's [Movie-20003]

also "The Commitments" but i cant remember what time that was.

0dysseus08/29/2004

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

As a sometime subject of Her Majesty I have to nitpick. The Commitments (1991but enamoured of the 60's) was set in Dublin.

bertie08/30/2004

Thanks guys, I'll investigate your suggestions. And, yes, The Commitments is a fine movie but set in Dublin.

But it would make a great addition to my Movie Musicals list!

Imposter08/30/2004

Great idea for a list, but the only contribution I can think of right now is The Knack for 60s Britain.

bertie08/31/2004

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't remember having seen The Knack, but Rita Tushingham was a remarkable actress. I remember seeing her in Smashing Time with Lynn Redgrave, a 'swinging London' movie which I'm going to add to the list with The Knack until something stronger comes along. I know they're out there.

professor10/14/2004

1960s = &nbsp Quadrophenia &nbsp

professor10/14/2004

or . . . &nbsp The Krays &nbsp for the 1960s

cmonster08/31/2004

How about Gosford Park for the '30s? It really is a solid period piece.

Also, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels for the '90s?

bertie09/01/2004

I've been meaning to watch Gosford Park, so I'll do so and then consider it for the list.

LS&2SB...well...what's so 90s Britain about it?

professor10/14/2004

1950s = &nbsp That'll Be The Day &nbsp

professor10/14/2004

1920s = &nbsp Chariots of Fire. &nbsp Not the strongest of choices I agree, but its a start.

bertie10/15/2004

Professor, many thanks for the suggestions. I've used three of them.

professor10/17/2004

1990s = Notting Hill. Not an obvious choice, but I think it does 'reflect the social/historical flavour' of the 1990s.
Hugh Grant lives the life of an ordinary Londoner with ordinary Londoner friends.

bertie10/18/2004

Thanks again. I confess that I've seen only one of your suggestions - Chariots of Fire.

professor10/19/2004

Notting Hill (1999) is a favourite of mine. Very funny, Julia Roberts looks great, the chemistry between her and Hugh Grant is fabulous, and the supporting cast is just sensational.

That'll Be The Day (1973) is pretty good, stars David Essex, Ringo Star, Adam Faith and Keith moon, great music, and reportedly inspired by the early life of John Lennon. The sequel (Stardust (1973)) is even better (although a totally different, stand-alone movie) also with Essex, Ringo, Faith and Moon, but less relevent to this topic/less represntative of the decade.

Quadrophenia (1979) is a must-see as a musical rock-opera (The Who, of course), and stars Sting.

The Krays (1989) is about THE most notorious London crime gang, the twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray, played by the twins from Spandau Ballet, Martin and Gary Kemp.

professor10/20/2004

Actually, delete Quadrophenia. In retrospect it is not at all representative of the 1960s.

For The Krays, read: The Sopranos of 1960s London.

bertie10/21/2004

Have replaced Quadrophenia with The Krays. But frankly I don't see that a film about a pair of criminals could be very widely representative in the way I want items on this list to be.

On the other hand, I've been thinking that perhaps a list like this should cover both the light side (e.g. A Smashing Time) and the dark side (e.g. The Krays) of each decade. What do you think?