15. Alexander Korda (1893 - 1956)
Hungarian-born Korda came to London as a refugee in the 1930s and became a major figure in the British film industry, hugely influential and successful with his grandiose satires of the behind-the-curtain looks at popular historical figures. Criterion released an Eclipse series in his name entitled "Alexadner Korda's Private Lives" where some of his most successful films are presented: Oscar-winner The Private Life of Henry VII, The Private Life of Don Juan and Rembrandt. The first and last of those movies showcase some of Charles Laughton's best acting work and have become classics of British cinema. He was vital in the production of Carol Reed's masterpiece Third Man, along with most of his younger brother Zoltan's films, and is now remembered as one of the most important dignitary's of British cinema. The Brits loved him so much, they made him the first Hungarian-born man to get a knighthood. Not too shabby.
Must See: The Private Life of Henry VII (1927)
14. Sir Laurence Olivier (1907 - 1989)
Actor-turned-director-while-still-being-an-actor Olivier was perhaps the biggest influence on Kenneth Brannagh, mentioned above, and widely considered to be one of the greatest actors both on stage and on screen. He makes the list here because of his brilliant string of Shakespearean movies from the 40 and 50s which include Hamlet, Henry V and Richard III with himself in the principal roles, killing it every time. Lastly, in 1970 he came out with an adaption of Anton Checkov's Three Sisters co-directed with John Sichel that was received well by the critics at the time. But getting back to reality, it is his three brilliant and full-on British interpretations of some of the Bard's greatest work that situate Olivier among the greatest who ever drew breath and contributed to the art of cinema.
Must See: Henry V (1944)
13. Basil Dearden (1911 - 1971)
Film history continues with our list of Greatest Ever British filmmakers because no serious list of this nature would omit Basil Dearden, a man who was very successful under the Ealing Studio system during the golden era of British cinema until he branched off to do his own thing, and made an even bigger contribution. To get a better idea of his influence and impact, check out Criterion's Eclipse series that's dedicated to him and his London Underground films. Whether he's addressing homophobia in Victim, translating Shakespeare's Othello onto London's jazz scene in All Night Long or giving an all star British cast an opportunity to exercise their comedic muscles in The League of Gentlemen, Dearden addresses social problems head on and has proven that he can master both the mainstream and the independent sphere of the film industry. One of the Britain's hidden treasures.
Must See: Saphire (1959)