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Testimonials from renowned director Ben Vitelli.
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Are you interested in British cinema? How much do you know about British cinema? How many excellent films have been born on this historic British Isles? Today, Sir invited a British director, Ben Vitelli. He has directed films such as "House of Sins", "The Kill List", "26 Ways to Die", and has also been the director of the famous British drama "Doctor Who". He will recommend you several famous British films, and if you want to know about British cinema, don't miss these masterpieces.
"Long And Beautiful Friday"
Directed by John Mackenzie
Year: 1980
Why: The film is extremely wide-ranging, with a fantastic storyline and careful scrutiny of details. The wonderful performance of actor Bob Hoskins is also remarkable. The film discusses the development of the docks and the reconstruction of London, which seems to be an incredible foresight today. It was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. I was watching it in the black-and-white portable TV upstairs at my house. "2001: A Space Odyssey" was also seen on that TV. The screen of the TV is small, but it carries my childhood memories. Nowadays, people often complain that the videos watched online are too small, but that was very satisfying for us at that time.
"Performance"
Directed by Nicholas Roeg, Donald Cammell
Year: 1970
Reason for recommendation: London's crime scenes do well and feel more real than many other types of movies. The film tells the story of the arrest of twins Kray. Sex, drugs, crime and celebrity are all stirred up into a melting pot. Even now, this movie has extraordinary significance, and every time I watch this movie, I can discover something new. I don't know how these incredible images and photography do it.
Blade Runner
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Year: 1982
Why: It's an American film, but I put it on the list because it set a record for 10 years of advertising production in the UK, and director Scott also directed the commercial under his name. I once bought a book about this movie and studied it carefully, and every time the book was reissued I would buy one, and I read it too many times. I buy every reissue and have seen many, many, many times. It's a wonderful movie, and despite the more effort put into the plot, the graphics still look gorgeous.
Dr. Thief
Directed by: Alexander Mackendrick
Year: 1955
Reason for recommendation: This is probably the best movie I've ever seen. When I was a kid I only had three tapes, and I had to watch the movie. All the performances came from highly skilled actors, including Aalec Guinness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers. The movie is really funny, but at the same time it's also evil. To be honest, it doesn't lean more towards one style, but rather both. After watching this movie, you will feel that its sense of humor and sense of evil are equal, which is not easy.
The Undead of Black Hell
Directed by: Carol Reed
Year: 1949
Why: It's an unknown classic film with a perfect script, structure, and imaginative shots. What attracted me the most was the chase scene in the sewers, where Welles was always a little bit off escaping, he just couldn't get free. Everything the film is about is about the reality of morality: life is not black and white, but gray.
"Me and The Long Nails"
Directed by Bruce Robinson
Year: 1987
Why: When I first saw this movie, I couldn't believe it was so funny. The drinking culture in the film is something I've understood and seen before: bar-style jokes and swearing in a very hilarious way, which really appeals to me. The movie basically tells the story of two people driving along a road, finding a house to live in, two people chatting with each other, and then coming back. It is to tell you what else to do when there is nothing, material scarcity, but spiritual satisfaction. I was very impressed by the humorous performance of actor Richard E Grant, who had wet eyes when he was drunk, and the drunken state was almost lifelike.
Revenge of the Veyron
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Year: 1971
Reason for recommendation: I heard about this movie when I was in school; everyone who watches this movie can't help but discuss it and talk about it, which I think is the greatest movie ever made. When I finally saw it, I was seventeen or eighteen years old. Michael Caine's performance is so great that you can't feel like they're acting or playing, as if they were in the same state. It's a cowboy movie and a drama of revenge. If they put on a hat and ride a high-headed horse, they don't have to do any more performances (except for pornography). I really recommend this movie.
Clockwork Orange
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Reason for recommendation: I went to Paris to find a cinema to see the movie. The film was not unbanned in the UK until 2000, and director Kubrick refused to let it be released, probably fearing that violent footage would be blamed. The film tells the story of a violent teenager who is in prison and receives treatment, but after returning to normal after his release, he is persecuted by others.
Text/Paul Wilson Compiled/Li Wei