
The Best of British Cinema
Sir John Mills narrates this entertaining compilation. "The Best of British Cinema" takes an insightful look back at some of the finest and most memorable feature films to be produced in major British studios over a period of five decades. All of the major stars are here, from Olivier to Leigh, from Sabu to Robert Donat, along with eminent directors. This series confirms the power, humor and drama of the great British films.
Sign in to add to your listWhat critics are saying
Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.
Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.
Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.
Cast
Seasons
A Made for Television English Documentary TV series that explores English cinema through clips from various films. The series was a casual examination of English films and not very informative to those already into the subject. The episodes were 25 minutes long and were narrated by John Mills.
- Ep 1
1.The Heroes
22-04-198725mFrom Tom Brown to Bulldog Drummond, from Biggles to Bond, the 20th Century British hero was represented as schoolboy, sleuth, soldier, sailor, sky-pilot and spy, and film portrayed...
- Ep 2
2.Leave 'Em Laughing
29-04-198725mSome of British cinema's most popular comedians, including Norman Wisdom, Stanley Holloway, Will Hay, Frankie Howerd, and the Carry On team in films such as On The Beat, Oh, Mr Por...
- Ep 3
3.I Spy
06-05-198725mA look at British spy stories, ranging from classic Hitchcock films of the 1930s to eighties paranoia in Defence Of The Realm, a mixture of the commonplace with the extraordinary -...
- Ep 4
4.The English Roses
13-05-198725mDuring the 1940s and 50s, British films featured female stars who portrayed fiery, independent characters in distinctive settings, and stories than emanated from the events of Worl...
- Ep 5
5.The All Singing All Dancing Show
20-05-198725mSequences from the golden age of British musicals highlight the talents of stars such as Jessie Matthews, Jack Buchanan, Jean Kent and Kay Kendall. Films include Evergreen, As Long...
- Ep 6
6.The War Game
27-05-198725mStars like David Niven, Trevor Howard and John Mills in enduring wartime classics such as A Matter Of Life And Death, In Which We Serve, The Way Ahead, The Life And Death of Colone...
- Ep 7
7.Things That Go Bump in the Night
03-06-198725mFrom the earliest days of movies, the potential for scaring audiences has been recognized and whether treated for thrills or comedy, ghosts and ghouls have proved a popular staple...
- Ep 8
8.Fine and Dandy
10-06-198725mCostume dramas have been a staple of British cinema, especially during the 1940s when the Gainsborough melodramas resulted in some of the successful and popular films of the period...
- Ep 9
9.The Eccentrics
17-06-198725mThe combination of distinctive actors and characters have resulted in some of the most indelible and memorable scenes. True originals of British cinema include Margaret Rutherford,...
- Ep 10
10.Power and Prejudice
24-06-198725mBritish cinema has always has a strong tradition for powerful reflections on contemporary life, social and psychological dramas that mix insightful commentary and identifiable char...
Watching Lists
Sign in to create and edit public lists.
Loading lists…
Purchase & Discovery
Find this title on Amazon
Digital
Prime Video & digitalAmazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.
Physical edition
4K Blu-ray & physical releasesSearch on AmazonOfficial merchandise
Official-style merch searchApparel, collectibles, and moreAs an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure

