The 100 best British films

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Time Out counts down the best British films, as chosen by the film industry

What's your favourite British film?

Here's the 100 best British films as chosen by a panel of 150 film industry experts, including directors Sam Mendes, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Wes Anderson, actors David Morrissey, Sally Hawkins and Thandie Newton, newspaper and magazine critics and the heads of the UK's major cultural organisations. Read our full analysis of the poll – and how we did it.

By Dave Calhoun, Tom Huddleston and David Jenkins, with Derek Adams, Geoff Andrew, Adam Lee Davies, Gareth Evans, Paul Fairclough and Wally Hammond.

Roll over the grid below to explore the 100 best British films and click on the images to read more

In This World (2002) The Railway Children (1970) School for Scoundrels (1960) 28 Days Later… (2002) Theatre of Blood (1973) London to Brighton (2006) 24 Hour Party People (2002) Zulu (1964) Dead Man's Shoes (2004) Land and Freedom (1995) Blue (1993) The Go Between (1970) This Is England (2006) Night and the City (1950) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) I'm Alright Jack (1959) Fish Tank (2009) A Cottage on Dartmoor (1929) Orlando (1993) Dr No (1962) Under the Skin (1997) The Offence (1972) Billy Liar (1963) Piccadilly (1929) Penda's Fen (1974) A Room for Romeo Brass (1999) Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) The Man in the White Suit (1951) The Long Day Closes (1992) Edvard Munch (1974) Bad Timing (1980) Oliver! (1968) Dead of Night (1945) Whisky Galore! (1949) Wonderland (1999) Dracula (1958) Topsy-Turvy (1999) Nuts In May (1976) Deep End (1970) Walkabout (1971) The Long Good Friday (1980) Blackmail (1929) Gregory's Girl (1981) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Caravaggio (1986) Radio-On (1980) Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) This Sporting Life (1963) Robinson in Space (1997) Local Hero (1983) Culloden (1964) Gallivant (1996) Hunger (2008) Blow-Up (1966) The Fallen Idol (1948) Repulsion (1965) Sabotage (1936) Fires Were Started (1941) Listen to Britain (1942) Witchfinder General (1968) Ratcatcher (1999) London (1994) Went the Day Well? (1942) It Always Rains on Sunday (1947) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) The Servant (1963) A Clockwork Orange (1971) Secrets and Lies (1996) Get Carter (1971) The Lady Vanishes (1938) The Ladykillers (1955) Peeping Tom (1960) The Wicker Man (1973) The Bill Douglas Trilogy (1972, 1973, 1978) I Know Where I'm Going! (1945) Great Expectations (1946) Brazil (1985) Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) Nil by Mouth (1997) Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) Barry Lyndon (1975) The Innocents (1961) A Canterbury Tale (1944) Black Narcissus (1947) Withnail and I (Robinson, 1987) The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) The 39 Steps (1935) Brief Encounter (1945) Naked (1993) Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here… Click here…

So, how did our 150 film industry experts vote?

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  • I'd have added Mona Lisa, Dog Soldiers, 28 Days Later, Shawn of the Dead. (Not sure when this article was published, though...)

    jude Fri Apr 12
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  • Nice list, some really great films in there, both modern and older. I've actually created a top 25 best london movies list if anyone is interested: http://www.squidoo.com/best-movies-filmed-in-london

    JD Fri Apr 12
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  • I can't believe "Taste of Honey" is not amongst the list of top films. It is a groundbreaker and tastefully (no pun intended) brings to the screen issues that were locked tightly in the closet. Setting, direction, screenplay and the actors all deserve recognition for this film.

    John Yolda Sun Feb 3
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