Third Man Tops BFI 100

The Third Man has been voted Britain's favourite ever film in an exhaustive poll undertaken by the BFI (British Film Institute). Compiling the BFI 100, the institute asked over 1,000 directors writers, actors, technician,producers, distributors, exhibitors, critics, academics, politicians and professors to choose their 100 favourite British films, a process which generated 25,700 votes for 820 films. Carol Reed's classic 1949 thriller, starring Orson Welles and set in Vienna, tops the list, which films made in the 1930's right up to 1998's My Name is Joe, the acclaimed film directed by Ken Loach which made the list at number 91. BFI director John Woodward describes the list as a tribute to British filmmaking, saying, "Any selection of 100 titles can only embrace around 1% of all British films made during the last 100 years and therefore, undoubtedly, everyone who reads the BFI 100 will argue that all their favourites should have been included. But it is a truly eclectic mix from Don't Look Now to The Belles Of St Trinian's to Kes and Oliver!. the Key point is that this poll aims to be the starting point for discussion around the UK rather than a definitive list. Have a look at the top twenty: 1. The Third Man (1949) Directed by Carol Reed 2.Brief Encounter(1945) Directed by David Lean 3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Directed by David Lean 4. The 39 Steps* (1935)* Directed by Alfred Hitchcock 5.Great Expectations (1946) Directed by David Lean 6. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) Directed by Robert Hamer 7.** Kes** (1969) Directed by Ken Loach 8. Don't Look Now (1973) Directed by Nic Roeg 9. The Red Shoes (1948) Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger 10. Trainspotting (1996) Directed by Danny Boyle 11. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Directed by David Lean 12.** If... (1968) Directed by Lindsay Anderson 13. The Ladykillers (1955) Directed by Alexander Mackendrick 14. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) Directed by Karel Reisz 15. Brighton Rock (1947) Directed by John Boulting 16. Get Carter (1971) Directed by Mike Hodges 17.** The Lavender Hill Mob** (1951) Directed by Charles Crichton 18. Henry V (1944) Directed by Laurence Olivier 19. Chariots of Fire (1981) Directed by Hugh Hudson 20. A Matter of Life and Death (1946) Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger