66 Essential British Films To Take Your Mind Off The World Cup

16. Don€™t Look Now (1973)

Perhaps Nic Roeg's finest work, certainly one of his most critically acclaimed. Don't Look Now is a perennial entry on any "Scariest Films" list, Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie play grieving parents haunted by the ghost of their drowned daughter (or perhaps something else entirely) in an eerie and claustrophobic Venice. Rarely has a city been so chillingly characterised on screen.

15. The Witchfinder General (1968)

The last film of directorial wunderkind Michael Reeves before his premature death at the age of just 25. The Witchfinder General stands not only as a testament to what might have been but also as one of the finest British horror films ever made. Vincent Price plays the notorious Witchfinder of the title: Matthew Hopkins and puts in one of his greatest performances. The legend goes that Price was at odds with his young director throughout the production, taking umbrage at Reeves' requests to tone down his trademark "hamminess" but as can be seen from the finished film Price is at his most chilling thanks to Reeves persistence in tempering Price's tendency to over-emote.

14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The Holy Grail marks Monty Python's first foray into cinema and is the film that gave us Terry Gilliam's directorial career, though here in collaboration with fellow Python Terry Jones. Eminently quotable and still a feature on most "Best Comedy" lists as well as being the progenitor of a best selling, multiple Tony award winning Broadway musical. Holy Grail is as hilarious and irreverent today as it was when it first appeared, essential Python and an essential British film.