A History of British Film

Into the 80s

Television was really biting hard and many films were made specifically for the T.V. market. Some of the more notable stage productions also made a the transfer onto the big screen, Othello; King Lear; A Midsummers Nights Dream;The Three Sisters; The Caretaker and Inadmissible Evidence.

The 80’s saw the British film industry deep in the doldrums with all the studios split up, either being closed used for T.V. production or hired out for independent filmproduction. A saving grace was the special effects industry that had sprung up as an important part of movie making. Many big, Hollywood blockbusters that relied heavily on special effects were made exclusively or at least, in part there. Superman; Star Wars and of course James Bond movies continued to be made at Pinewood.

A resurgence has begun in the 90’s with independently made British movies, made with homegrown talent. The Crying Game had a phenomenal success internationally, but still, financing has to be found. Unlike most film producing countries, government support is severely lacking.