British film 1990-2000

British film 1990-2000

Investment in film production rose dramatically.

In 1989 the annual investment was £104 million but by 1996 this rose to £741 million. However dependence from the finance of TV financers such as BBC one and channel 4 still meant that budgets were small and home grown projects were fragmented. The British film industry still relied on Hollywood investment.

However these problems were compensated by working title films a  British subsidiary to PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, who released Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 which grossed 224 million dollars worldwide, introducing Hugh Grant to global fame and also leading  to a renewed interest in British films. As well as setting the trend for British set romantic comedies including Sliding Doors (1998) and Noting Hill (1999).

Eventually PFE was sold and merged with universal pictures in 1999 with the hopes of "building a British-based company which could compete with Hollywood in its home market".

Tax incentives allowed American producers to invest more in UK- based films throughout the 90's such as Mission impossible (1996) Saving Private Ryan (1998) and star wars episode 1: the phantom menace(1999).

Miramax an American film distribution company, distributed British thriller The Crying Game (1992) which was ignored in the UK but found success overseas in the US.

Miramax also enjoyed success in releasing BBC period dram Enchanted April (1992) and The wings of the Dove (1997).

In addition in 1994 the Madness of King George was released which debuted strongly at the box office proving that there was still a market for British Costume Dramas with other period films following including Sense and Sensibility (1995) and restoration (1995).

In addition, the 90's saw a release of the 17th James Bond film Golden eye after a 6-year hiatus due to legal reasons.

Writer Mike Leigh became a significant figure in British cinema during the 90's with a series of films financed by channel 4 about the working and middle class life in modern England, including Life Is Sweet(1991) Naked(1993) and Secrets And Lies (1996) which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Other emerging talents during the decade include writer- director-produced team of John Hodge, Danny Boyle and Andrew Macdonald responsible for Shallow Grace (1994) and Trainspotting (1996).

Transpotting significantly generated interest in other "regional" productions, including Scottish films Small Faces (1996), Ratcatcher (1999) and My Name Is Joe (1998).

Other significant events in British film during the 90's include:

·         The BBFC granting Samuel Fullers film Shock Corridor a 15 that had been previously refused a certificate when first submitted in 1962.

·         Daniel Day Lewis wins Best Actor for Oscar for My Left foot in 1990.

·         In 1994 a group of British film producers including David Putnam and Jeremy Thomas launch IMPACT campaign to revitalise  British film industry.

·         Criminal Justice and Public order act contains an amendment to the 1984 video recording act that requires the BBFC to consider specific issues such as the potential to harm when classifying videos.

·         1995 - The lottery film fund was established.

·         1996 - After a trial in 1995, the BBFC begins offering consumer advice next to the printed classifications on video sleeves, offering detailed information on reasons for particular classifications  such as the 18 certificate for example detail like sex, violence or bad language.

·         1998 - Channel 4 develops Film Four as a separate company with a new emphasis on fewer bigger budget productions.