Ultimate Film: The UK's 100 Most Popular Films

“It would be impossible not to enjoy this fascinating book.’ Jonathan Ross Is Harry Potter more popular than the hobbits? Can Bond better Bridget Jones? From The Third Man to the 49th Parallel, via South Pacific and Tatooine, The Ultimate Film is the definitive list of the UK’s all-time top 100 films based on cinema admissions. From the 1930s to today, the book charts the diverse tastes that make up Britain’s film favourites. Each film is looked at in turn. What did the critics think of it when it was released and, with the benefit of hindsight, were they right? Who featured in front of and behind the camera? Did popular success always go together with critical acclaim and Oscar(r) nominations? And what was it about these films that struck a chord with cinemagoers? The product of extensive research by the British Film Institute, this list – the first ever to be based on cinema admissions – is sure to provoke much debate and discussion. What’s more, it is impossible to open the pages of this engrossing and lavishly illustrated book without rekindling memories interwoven with many of the films – where we saw them, who we went with, what was happening at that point in our lives. At the same time as celebrating 100 of our favourite films, The Ultimate Film is a reflection of our culture and attitudes, and the part that cinemagoing has played in shaping the way we are today. The Ultimate Film contains a number of breakout sections – lists within a list to satisfy the most ardent film buff. Leading Ladies: discusses the female stars who did and didn’t make the list. My Name’s Bond: Britain’s most successful film franchise explored. Missing Men: the male stars included and surprisingly absent. Ones that got Away: classic films not in the list. Drawing the Crowds: animated films and their continued popularity. Picture Palaces: the history and evolution of British Cinemas. The Film at War: how wartime affected film production and cinema going.

The Ultimate Film contains a number of breakout sections — lists within a list to satisfy the most ardent film buff.; -Leading Ladies -discusses the female stars who did and didn’t make the list; -My Name’s Bond- Britain’s most successful film franchise explored; -Missing Men-the male stars included and surprisingly absent; -Ones that got Away- Classic films not in the list; -Drawing the Crowds- Animated films and their continued popularity; -Picture Palaces- the history and evolution of British Cinemas; -The Film at War- how wartime affected film production and cinema going; Summary of Content; -Number in list; -Total audience; -Major film details: director, eg Technicolor, running time; -Key credits; -Synopsis and review information form the time of the film’s release; -Contemporary comment on film/Film’s importance; -Information on Key protagonists; -Social background (what was happening at the time to make the film popular); -Film stories (what happened behind the scenes of the film being made that was interesting); -Awards/nominations; -Memorable scenes and memorable dialogue.