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

13. Quadrophenia (1979)

The second of The Who's rock opera concept albums to be brought to the screen couldn't be a more different proposition than Tommy. Quadrophenia sits alongside Brighton Rock, A Clockwork Orange and Trainspotting as one of the very best examinations of British youth subculture. Phil Daniels' Jimmy remains an icon of a movement that started 16 years before he appeared, and the film is a major contributing factor as to why an interest in Mod culture endures to this day.

12. Kes (1969)

Still the film that sets the benchmark for British social-realism. The influence of Ken Loach's Kestrel For A Knave adaptation can be felt in virtually every British coming-of-age film made since (several of which feature on this list). As funny as it is heartbreaking, Kes should be made mandatory viewing for everyone. If you haven't seen it it is available to watch for free on Youtube so don't waste any more time... When you've finished reading the list that is.

11. Time Bandits (1981)

Time Bandits is the second of three Terry Gilliam films in the top twenty and is as rich a "children's" film as you will find. The film is beautifully and meticulously designed with Gilliam's unique eye for detail, and featuries a roster of Gilliam's Python mates but also some of the true greats of British acting talent. His subsequent family oriented fantasy films: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus have been problematic, sometimes beyond Gilliam's control but it would be great to see his visual genius applied to this kind of tale once more.