Fact Sheet 132

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

To qualify as a British film it must be one of the following:

-Be set in the UK.
-The lead characters are British Citizens or residents.
-The film is based on British subject matter.

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

 

Hollywood production context means that most films made by Hollywood studios

have high budgets, a heavy reliance on celebrities both in the cast and crew and spectacle driven stories. Whereas the independent production context films tend to have low budgets, character rather than spectacle driven stories and a heavier reliance on word of mouth and viral advertising.

The British film production context does not have as many clearly defined characteristics. British films can be large budget, high concept films such as Harry

Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Warner Brothers, 2010) and Skyfall (MGM, 2012) or they can be character driven, small budgeted films such

as Kill List (Optimum Releasing, 2011) or This is England (Optimum Releasing, 2006).

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

The 1960s brought about the start of  the James Bond franchise as well as a greater involvement of American money and talent, as well as an upsurge in experimentation that fell along with the shifting cultural norms of the 1960s. The first production being 'Dr No' in 1962.

 

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

The British film industry in the 1970s was dominated by the subject of censorship that continued into the video nasties banning of the 1980s.

 The 1970s sees a rise in British Films of sexual content, both the act of sexand sex linked to violence with films like A Clockwork Orange (Warner Bros 1971) coming under a lot of scrutiny. The 1980s see the rise of videos and the ‘video nasty’s scare where filmmaking was becoming more accessible and more extreme content was being created and finding its way into Britain. 

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

 

Youth-Bend it like Beckham/ Slum dog millionaire.
Women - Bend it like Beckham
 

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

Television which focuses on British culture seems to be successful to British audiences. where known British locations are featured. They also have a keen interest in British films which focus on class, social strife, education and more.