Be sure to check out these movies before hopping across the pond.
Movies can become synonymous with travel destinations: The Lord of the Rings for New Zealand, The Beach for Thailand.
Buckingham Palace – Photo by Marie Cleland
If you’re planning to visit the UK, whether to immerse yourself in the vibrant metropolis of London or explore the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, you can get a taste of what’s to come by watching these films.
1. The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)
Ken Loach’s powerful tale of the formation of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is not only a history lesson on the background to The Troubles that rocked Britain and the Republic of Ireland for decades, it’s also a cinematically beautiful introduction to rural Ireland.
Though the title refers to the political turmoil that the film centers on, it also hints at the role of the land itself as a character in the film, as a witness to the conflict, and, inevitably, a victim of it.
2. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The dramatic scenes near the start of the third Bourne film leave a lasting impression of London as a chaotic and bustling capital city. The action centers on the busy commuter hub of Waterloo station, which connects Overground train lines with the Underground train, or “Tube.”
While the crowds offer an ultimately unsuccessful cover for Bourne’s meeting with journalist Simon Ross, in real life they are a quintessential part of London and help make it a fascinating and diverse place to visit.
3. Notting Hill (1999)
Set primarily in London, this romantic comedy features the West London neighborhood of the same name.
British actor Hugh Grant plays a local who falls into a relationship with a visiting Hollywood star, which happens amidst the colorful houses of Portobello Road and aptly, the crammed shelves of a bookshop that specializes in travel writing.
There is also an edge-of-your-seat car chase through London streets that will ultimately decide whether the lead characters end up together. It brushes over the vibrant Portobello Road market, which should be high on anyone’s London itinerary.
4. This is England (2006)
This reality bites tale of a boy’s struggle chronicles the decisions he has to make growing up in a working class industrial town in 1983.
References to infamous prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the Royal wedding of Charles and Diana, the devastating fallout of the Falkland’s war and the ominous presence of skinhead extremism provide the historical context.
Key scenes such as the lead character’s seminal meeting with his new friends in a concrete tunnel and the backdrop of council estates provide a rich tapestry of England’s grittier side.
5. Trainspotting (1996)
Now this next film takes gritty settings to another level. However, Trainspotting is worth watching not because it will give you a taste for what you’re likely to see on a trip to Edinburgh, but because it’s such a seminal British film.
It features brilliant acting by some of the UK’s brightest stars, including Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle.
While you might like to take a stroll down Princes St., you’re not likely to be bowled over by drug dealers being chased by security guards.
On the contrary, you’re more likely to encounter a lovely old blind man playing bagpipes while his loyal guide dog sits patiently by him on the sidewalk.
6. The Queen (2006)
Many visitors to the UK take some sort of interest in the royal family, whether it’s marveling at the grandeur of Buckingham Palace in London or buying a postcard of Queen Elizabeth.
Besides the brilliant portrayal of Britain’s premier woman by one of Britain’s premier actors (Helen Mirren), The Queen also highlights the diverse landscapes of Britain, from the metropolis of London to the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
7. Braveheart (1995)
This film is close to the hearts of many Scots. The epic story of William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) and his call to freedom from English oppression is a sweeping introduction to the beauty of Scotland and an insight into the Caledonian tendency to feel hard done by.
Don’t miss a trip to the National Wallis Monument at Stirling, which has Wallace’s sword on display and offers fantastic views from atop the tower. Other worthy titles in this genre of part mythological, part factual historical drama are King Arthur (2004) and Rob Roy (1995).
8. PS I Love You (2007)
The bright purple carpet of heather that sweeps over the hills in one of the scenes of Ireland in this romantic drama may look photo-shopped, but is actually true to life.
Thanks to the seemingly constant rain that falls on the Emerald Isles, the Irish countryside is an intense green and absolutely mesmerizing for it. As are the Irish accents.
9. Snatch (2000)
With its heart in the East End of London, Snatch is one of a trio of films by writer/director Guy Ritchie that put a distinctly English spin on wheeler-dealing crime capers (the others being Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and RocknRolla (2008).
Apart from the local settings, Snatch is worth watching for its fantastic mix of Brit accents, none more so than Brad Pitt’s brilliant rendition of an Irish Gypsy (“Pikey”) twang.
10. Any Jane Austen film
Watch Persuasion (1995) and you’ll want to make a beeline for Bath or dip your toes in the sea at Lyme Regis.
Get wrapped up in the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice and you’ll want to meander through the Lake District.
Study Emma (1996) and you too will want to sample the life of the country gentry or immerse yourself in the country idyll.
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17 Comments... join the discussion!
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Good point about the UK/Ireland : ) Though when I went to Northern Ireland I still found the landscape quite similar to in the film – all very beautiful! Great films you've mentioned! It's so true that the list could go on. Hope this is a good start : ) Marie.
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I remember when I went to Scotland, all of the Scottish totally hate Braveheart and the casting of Mel Gibson. At the William Wallace monument, they've set the Mel Gibson statue on fire, tagged it, all kinds of things to show how much they hate it. Braveheart is definitely a movie you have to watch before heading to Scotland, just so you're up on what they're insulting ha.
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purely for gratuitous film snobbery I'm going to include The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover, and Once
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Great pick on This Is England! My brain is spinning with other possibilities but you've covered a lot of ground here
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Ugh. Twice. You included Irish accents as being part of the UK twice. [sigh] If you meant to say Northern Ireland please state it clearly in the original article. Even if you did, the accent depicted by Brad Pitt is from a gypsy (or "traveller" as we call them) just as likely from the Republic, and the PS I love you accents are definitely not northern Ireland. It's bad enough having to put up with non-English speakers with no familiarity with the fact that Ireland is a Republic and not part of the United Kingdom, but your inclusion makes me question your grasp of basic political geography / history. Sorry to be so blunt, but maybe you'd feel the same way if I included The Lord of the Rings as part of my favourite movies to show the "Australian" countryside. The term you need to use is "UK and Ireland" if you must group them together. It is also technically correct to say "The British Isles" for some reason, but few Irish people will appreciate that. If you had used the former title then I'd find this list otherwise a nice collection of modern movies I agree show some good landscapes and local life (apart from P.S. I love you, which just appealed to cheesy American stereotypes IMHO. The book didn't even have a single thing to do with Ireland). I like your list, but your choice of title is very frankly very offensive (and that's coming from an Irishman who actually likes the Brits). Please edit it!!
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Good list but have to disagree with the comment about the Irish accents in PS I love You – the actor who plays Gerry is actually Scottish (i think) and his accent was terrible – kind of like the leprechaun in the lucky charms ad! Ireland did look lovely in the film though. Irish Polyglot – "the book didn't even have a single thing to do with ireland"?? The author Cecila Ahern is Irish and the book is set in Ireland…. If you want more travel related movies I did a blog on this check it out http://driveaway2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-ef... target=”_blank”>” target=”_blank”>http://driveaway2008.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-ef...
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Please don't watch Notting Hill, you'll come here thinking we're all a bunch of bumbling fops or Welsh pissheads! Oh wait …
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The book IS set in Ireland. But since the author is Irish and in the book both main characters are Irish, there is no mention (that I remember) of Ireland actually being any significant (or even minor) part of the story. It's like me saying Stephen King's etc. books are "about America". They aren't, they just take place there. In the movie a huge part of it is how amazing it is for the New Yorker to go back to Ireland where she met him and see simple Irish folk drink themselves silly in a village; it shifted the focus away from the story and the letters, which is what the book was more about. In that sense the book and movie are completely different. An American perspective of getting swooped off her feet by an Irish lad while surrounded by farms is not covered by the book, but is great for Hollywood sales.
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Hot Fuzz, all the way
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Oh Boy!!! Bet you didn't think you'd create such an argument over a selection of films. I'm of Irish background, McNamara by name, and am well aware of the historical background of The Troubles but that man's comments show a stubborn bitterness which explains the never ending story of the said Troubles. Obviously no PC there.
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I second Eva's recommendation of Bend it Like Beckham, Bridget Jones and Love Actually. Bloody Sunday is another good one. And I agree that P.S. I Love You isn't the best recommendation…
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I second your recommendations of Bend if Like Beckham, Bridget Jones and Love Actually. Bloody Sunday is another good one. And like several others here, I also agree that P.S. I Love You isn't the best recommendation…
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Surely, there are enough UK films out there without having to resort to padding the list with a neighbouring country's films?
I third Eva and Valerie's suggestions of Bend it Like Beckham, both Bridget Jones films, and Love Actually. Add to those three: Vanity Fair, Billy Elliot, Chariots of Fire, what about the James Bond franchise, and Monty Python's Life of Brian, and the multitude of excellent UK TV series like the original "The Office", etc. etc. etc.
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Janet, your great (great?) grandfather might have been Irish, but it certainly doesn't give you the right to belittle my argument. I already said that I like the Brits. Who said the Troubles had anything to do with what I was talking about? It shows how little you know; I'm talking about misuse of "UK" to include Ireland. That has nothing to do with "stubborn bitterness" in Irish history. You bringing that up shows you really don't have a clue what's going on, and you're creating a new argument out of nothing. I'm not annoyed at the Brits I'm annoyed at the author (Kiwi) and now you (American?) for thinking you get Irish culture. Please stop reading up on the Troubles and find out a little bit about Irish culture if you wish to claim any kind of "Irish backround". I'd be glad to pass on some links to websites and videos that you should check out. Misusing a country's name so badly is a basic mistake that the author still hasn't properly apologised for…
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Agreed, Irish's objections have nothing to do with the Troubles (which, really, you could argue have very little to do with the Republic of Ireland) – anymore than if this had been a list of US movies, and a couple of Canadian movies had appeared on it, my annoyance would have had anything to do with the War of 1812. That being said, I try to keep my annoyance at the (very frequent) confusions between the US and Canada under control, and to laugh it off rather than getting mad. Irish Polyglot, I'm sure the author didn't mean to offend!
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For scotland, the original WICKER MAN..the orignal was amazing. and BLOW UP…now that was a great, great film.. of course there is also the original Alfie (Jude Law does not come close to Michael Caine…though they did have a movie together..cant remember the name though..but Michael Caine is just a legend). and just for fun..HARRY POTTER!! hahhaha…not because I like it but when i was in London they had a "Harry Potter Film Location Tour" and lots of excited kids wielding wands whizzing by…so funny. Any Monty Python flick (even if its not all set in the UK…just very British! so funny..THE LIFE OF BRIAN is the best…too funny or any of episode of the Fawlty Towers–for some reasons Germans love that though!)
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