Theo Reilly
24 Mar 2025
Answering the age-old question.
In the backrooms of the Blimey offices, you may hear perfuse and passionate verbal battles. Arguing and debating endlessly, trying to find an agreeable answer to the question that has defined our magazine more than any other… What is a British film?
It’s a question I had to consult myself, and my team on, going into writing my feature Does UK Film & TV have any Sovereignty. I even asked legendary British film producer Rebecca O’Brien what British film is, she said “something that evolves in this country… it doesn’t necessarily have to have a British writer or director.”
I didn’t agree.
But who am I to tell one of the most influential people in the British film industry that they’re wrong?
Personally, I see a British film as having an outwardly British identity. Set in the UK, with British characters, and a UK-based director/production team. But what about films like Harry Potter? Clearly British, but funded by and profited on by America. And will James Bond ever really be British now that it’s owned by Amazon?
What about Christopher Nolan? UK born, and shot most of his films here, but they have an outwardly American identity. Does this mean that The Dark Knight is a British film, or an American film?
It’s tricky. Here’s what the Blimey team had to say.
Joe: “A production that is largely based in the UK, with an ensemble, on-screen talent and crew, that are majority UK-based.”
Francesca: “Directed and written by British people, with at least some actors from Britain and as having some kind of British flare to it - history or location or humour.”
Hasnain: “British accents, a unique sense of humour, and settings that capture British culture, whether it is the landscapes, traditions, or just the way of life in the UK.”
Victoria: “A film can constitute as British if it harnesses the cultural aspects of Britain, alongside considering its history, language and landscapes.”
Isabel: “A British film typically explores British characters or stories or has had a significant impact on British culture. Also, if the majority of it is set in Britain using real world locations.”
The point I’m trying to make is, it’s subjective… but be prepared to argue your point. British film means different things to different people, in and out of the UK. It’s reflective of our culture in general: a mix of just about everything.