What can I say I like numbers that round off to 5’s and 10’s and I LOVE London. So in “honor” of my forthcoming trip to the British capital, I have put together 15 of my favorite films set in London. Please note I am not saying these are the BEST films set in London; they just happen to be my favorite ones.
- Eastern Promises
- Sherlock Holmes
- Wimbledon
- Love Actually
- About a Boy
- Midnight Lace
- The Bank Job
- Bend it Like Beckham
- Bridget Jones’s Diary
- Children of Men
- V for Vendetta
- Gaslight
- Notting Hill
- Dial M for Murder
- (on the fence) From Hell – mainly because while I do not consider myself a huge horror fan however, I am fascinated with the “Jack the Ripper” story and this movie satisfies that interest more so than any other narrative film that I have seen out there.
For a list of more films set in and around London, check out the Wikipedia entry.
What are some of yours?
Jack Deth says
June 9, 2011 at 5:07 pmHi, luv:
Very interesting list.
I liked the sights and sounds wrapped around the East End and London in ‘The Long Good Friday’, from 1980. That put Bob Hoskins on the map opposite a very attractive Helen Mirren and a young Pierce Brosnan as a silent assassin.
Also liked the rough the rough, tumble down, post WWII beginnings of ‘The Krays’ against its later Pop London night life. The film may move a bit slowly, but Billie Whitelaw rules as the gangster twins’ hard as nails, scheming mother.
No film shows the beginnings of London’s slow spiral into decadence, corruption and decay better than the original ‘Get Carter’ (1971) with Michael Caine.
iluvcinema says
June 9, 2011 at 5:26 pmYeah my dad liked “The Krays” – I have seen bits of it and since I have not seen it in its entirety it can’t make the cut.
I have always wanted to see “The Long Good Friday.”
BTW I never tire of mentioning “Children of Men” as you can see 🙂
Yvette says
June 9, 2011 at 6:04 pmBRIDGET JONES’S DIARY and NOTTING HILL, for sure. Some of the films you listed, I haven’t seen so have no comment. MIDNIGHT LACE is lost to me in a haze of foggy memories…Ha!
I like films set in vintage London, i.e. the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes episodes, that sort of thing.
A few faves:
ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIONS
BLOWUP
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
HELP!
THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS
SCROOGE
I hated the new version of SHERLOCK HOLMES and only saw about fifteen minutes of it all told. I simply cannot be sensible about it. 🙂
iluvcinema says
June 9, 2011 at 6:21 pmThe original British version of Gaslight was good too. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1066725-gaslight/
I have to see Blowup again. I saw it years ago in film class and just remember being disturbed by it …
4 Weddings could been on the list but it was getting too “Hugh Granty” 😉
Anna says
June 11, 2011 at 2:31 amI love love love Eastern Promises, great to see it at number one.
Dan says
June 13, 2011 at 9:25 amExcellent list. There’s some terrific films here and many use the city to their advantage. I would say you’re missing a real classic though – An American Werewolf In London – the city really comes alive in the film, and it’s great to check out some of the locations when you visit because the film is set in some really iconic places.
iluvcinema says
June 13, 2011 at 10:24 amHi Dan. It is only missing because (for shame!) I have not seen it in its entirety. One mark against me!
ruth says
June 14, 2011 at 4:47 pmHey Luv, when are you going to London? Oh I’m so jealous! I did a London blog-a-thon of sort a couple of years ago in honor of my trip there, too. There are a few on your list I haven’t seen, but the ones I have I completely agree with, especially Notting Hill. I’d also add Four Weddings & a Funeral and Last Chance Harvey.
iluvcinema says
June 14, 2011 at 6:11 pm@Ruth – I leave this Friday night from New York. Mainly for the Wimbledon tournament.