What is a British Film? Kurt

What is a British film?
In my opinion what makes a film “British” depends on the setting, cast and crew and everything that you see on screen, but the most important thing when it comes to making a film appear British is the accent used by the characters. Although a lot of films may appear British at some point it is not always the case, there have been some films that have been produced by American companies and scenes were filmed in the UK but the cast and crew are American. There are a lot of American companies who for example take a novel written by a British person produces it and films everything in UK Locations.
One really good example of this is when the Warner Brothers entertainment Inc which is a US based production company, who decided that they wanted to make Harry Potter films which are based on the books written by J K Rowling, the films which were all shot in the UK and had a full British cast and crew became a big hit with people from all over the world. There are also films that are American influenced which are also based on British authors and playwrights, one good example of this is a film called Shakespeare in Love which is an entirely fictional story but with actual references to real people and quotes that were written by one of the most famous British playwrights William Shakespeare. The cast and crew had a lot of different nationalities in their production. The director is a British man but the writers are American and Czechoslovakian. The cast is a mixture of different nationalities so it does not make it entirely British. As Britain is so multicultural, there are many films made that aren’t made in English.
There are certain aspects of Icons of British films, such as
· Tradition is very important in films. Such as the culture of the country. Things like dance are the UK’s speciality, and their ambition in theatre, and musicals what are referenced in most British films. The traditional aspects of a British film might have classic films that were made before in the past, such as The sound of music and Mary Poppins bears a heavy influence over British film.
· Accent can determine whether a film is British, cockney accents normally stereotype dodgy characters, such as shady business men or poor scoundrels. Oliver is a good example of this.
· The Queen is an important aspect, as royalty is what unites Brittan with a passion.
· In war there is a historic reminder in war films that we win, when it’s not always the case, but our optimism doesn’t fade, as British people have their pride.
· Tea is another aspect, it contributes to lending warmth to an atmosphere, when to have conversational discussions or general chat, and it’s a way of being polite and showing friendship. Foods such as fish and chips are popular in British culture.
· Period drama are popular, for example, Jane Austen, Charles dickens are greatly revered by the film industry, as British wants’ to take their genius and portray it in films that show the elegance and knowledge of British writers. In particular adaptations of the film are continuous because they remain authentic to the British audience.
· Vehicles and objects, such as double Decker buses and red telephone boxes are used to effect, in setting the scene, mainly used for places such as London. The UK flag stresses in the mindset of people the country’s passion and power in uniting as a country.
· Labour and politics are included in the British society of films, most made apparent in films such as This is England by Shane meadows, when it references a struggle in a war, and the tough times that Britain had to endure. It’s a way of showing that most of the working class people didn’t search for an American dream, but rather worked for their family and themselves, without worrying about being famous.
· Football encapsulates what British film is about many Hooligan style films setting the tone of rough harsh sport, but managing to glorify as it unites Britain with a passion when football is played.
· Historic and Victorian aspects of British film is shown in reconstructed dramas such as The Tudors which is an American based drama, yet takes much of their ideas from the influence of British history, and Henry the 8th.
· Music such as The Beatles, and Spice Girls, which are famous bands, play a part in making a film British due to the enormity of their status.
· Minis most famous in the film The Italian job always has significant references in films, as well as being developed by an American industry into a film also.
· British films always love it when the unlikely underdog pulls through. Such as Mr Bean and Bridget Jones, who are clumsy characters that overcome obstacles, and large embarrassment only to pull through at the end. It gives the nation a sense of pride, whilst making sure the influence of being cynical becomes lost due to the Underdogs endurance to the end,
· There are many British heroes such as Doctor Who, and James Bond, who are both seen as the cool slick men, who have everything, and give aspirations to British people with their composed clever nature, always defeating the villains, but charming enough to get the girls also. Heroes were created that were central to Britain like these, so that the charisma of them built up the confidence of the nation.
· Fashion such as Burberry helps maintain the idea of luxury as being made in London, its part of tradition and culture also, with shops Topshop, and designer Stellar McCartney vital in outlining British fashion.
· Public schools are used in British films. This can normally signify an arrogant attitude and portray people who go there as Snobs. Films such as Harry Potter show this superior attitude, where the contrasting film St Trinians shows a more common British attitude which is more humble.
· Heritage is used in films such as the symbolic monuments such as castles that show Dracula being a wealthy old man, and one who has control over the peasants below him, with the women his victims, showing him as being upper-class.
· Bookmarking a technique mainly used in British films. It’s iconic such as starting a film at a seaside and then ending it at a seaside, which is obvious for the film