Movies?

Hi Linda, Thanks for the great suggestions. At this point, the movies/tv shows don't necessarily need to be nautical in theme. I received a tremendous amount of advice in that area, and I believe I'm all set with that. So anything at all featuring that country's history, character, culture, etc. would be great. Maybe I can get him to learn more about Britain without him even realizing it :o)

Still haven't convinced him yet? How about renting the movie, Dear Frankie. The contemporary setting is Scotland. It is a very touching movie about a boy waiting for his absent, father and how his mother tries to help him. It stars Gerard Butler (from 300), who quite frankly is easy on the eyes. Or how about the excellent movie, The Queen. It has wonderful scenes of Scotland where the royal family stays for vacation. Or the countryside, train scenes in Harry Potter movies. How about Bridget Jones' Diary? The setting is London and the countryside. It's a chick flick and it's fun. Gemma Jones (acted in RSC stage productions) plays the mother. If this thread doesn't convince him, I don't know what will. Good luck!

Chariots of Fire

"Train Spotting" has some nice views of both Scotland and London... but is also has some nastier views of them as well. "Notting Hill" and "Sliding Doors" explore many of the nicer residential areas of London. "Barry Lyndon", although an overall boring movie, has some wonderful scenes of rural England.

You can search for movies by filming location on imdb.com. I recently watched "Miss Potter" which was filmed in the lakes area of England- very pretty.

Local Hero,Calendar girls, not pretty-pretty but a great film, Brassed off.
American werewolf in London
Withnail and I, a true british cult film
And a brit version of coming of age film, Gregorys Girl

My favorite chick flick is Love Actually, which is set in London. I don't think you get a ton of scenery, but there's enough for you to tell it's in London.

The James Bond flick "The World is Not Enough" has a really cool boat chase on the Thames through London. Your hubby might like that. The recent "Pride and Prejudice" with Keira Knightly has some beautifully shot scenery. "Local Hero" (did someone mention that already?), "The Full Monty", "Elizabeth" with Cate Blanchett, and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (you either love it or hate it).

Films:
Love Actually,
Notting Hill,
The Queen,
Remains of the Day,
Shadowlands,
Local Hero,
Comfort and Joy,
Lion In Winter,
Cromwell,
The Molly Maquires,
The Original Alfie with Michael Caine.

TV Series from PBS, BBC America or A & E (probably all available via Netflix)
Prime Suspect ,
MI-5,
Inspector Frost,
Midsummer Murder Mysteries,
Inspector Morse.

You have to get him to go. London is a fantastic city. Have him look up the John Ritblat Room in The British Library on line and see if he can turn down seeing all those "treasures."

Diane,
It's a bit hard to find but a favorite Scottish film is "My Name is Joe". Like many, it's a tad gritty at times but a fantastic film. Pretty much anything by Ken Loach will be good.

And I second the vote for "Dear Frankie".

Jill

Hey, if he is that much of a hard sell, leave him home. Go with a good friend or one of your children. We really like the Steves DVD but they are not movies. And, my guess, most of the movies about G Britian were not shot in GB.

Gee Frank just because CSI Miami, Las Vegas and New York are all shot in LA,(except for a week of establishing shots) don't go thinking all movies about GB weren't shot there. Braveheart and Rob Roy were. All the movies I suggested in a previous post were shot in and around London and throughout Great Britian.
Remember London stood in for NYC in Eyes Wide Shut. Ah, the magic of the movies.

Sadly, Claudia, much of Braveheart was actually shot in Ireland (close enough, I guess), including the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge scenes...too much residential buildup around the site of the bridge these days. Believe it or not, Dunsoghly Castle near Dublin was the stand-in for Edinburgh and its castle. The scenes of medieval York and London were shot in and around Trim Castle in County Meath. Luckily, Rob Roy was shot entirely in Scotland.

Hi Diane, page 9 of Rick Steves London (2007) has a whole list of movies to motivate you for London travel!

Hey, Diane's hubby: just go, OK? GO! :-)

What about Britcoms? Corrie, Corronation Street, can be addictive. Or reruns of "Are you being served?" or "Keeping Up Appearances" "Ballykissangel" "Emmerdale" "Absolutely Fabulous"or the like.
Or what about Music? Or watching BBC World News? All these things offer exposure.

You mentioned Braveheart and I would like to point to you and to everyone else that the movie was shot in Ireland - not Scotland - one of the main sets was erected around the twelfth century Trim Castle in Meath which is well worth a visit for anyone visiting Ireland.

Try Highlander. It has some great shots of Ellien Donnan Castle in Scotland and of the Highlands. Cool Queen music too!

"The Englishmen that went up a Hill and came down a Mountain" (hugh Grant) and "Notting Hill" (Grant) are my 2 favorites.

Hi Diane,
There's an excellent classic movie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock called "The 39 Steps". It's an old film, but that doesn't affect one's enjoyment of it.
You could probably rent it somewhere (there might even be a rather recent remake of the film).
Good luck! P.

"Battle of Britain' is a 1969 movie showing the courage of the Brits in their finest hour, standing alone against the Nazis aerial onslaught. Filming in England was carried out at four airfields, Duxford, Debden, North Weald and Hawkinge, all of which were operational during the Battle.

Mrs. Miniver

How about historical dramas - to learn about great British rulers? You will undoubtedly be visiting Westminster Abbey, where they were crowned and/or buried.... these, and others are available on Netflix

The 6 Wives of Henry VIII (BBC)

Private Lives of Henry VIII (0scar wining 1933 film)

Elizabeth I: the Virgin Queen (2005 BBC production)

Also -- Secrets and Lies! What a slice of Engilsh life.

I have to give another push for Local Hero. If you haven't seen it, then rent it! It's great fun. Also, look for Monarch of the Glen. This is a great series that was on PBS a few years ago. Have you thought about trying books? For Scotland, check out Ian Rankin mysteries. These are great stories. Whisky Galore is a movie and a book. Does he like history and would be interested in more on Scottish heroes? Check on Nigel Tranter's books. If he likes whisky, Iain Banks has a wonderful book Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram, just might get him to book that tour.

I just saw a rerelease on DVD of the 1964 movie Becket, which is shot in England. It also features Richard Burton, with his distinctive Welsh voice. It has some great shots of English countryside and castles. Might even make you want to make a trip to Canterbury.

Thank you for all of your suggestions. We've been enjoying watching many of the movies you have suggested. I must admit, I've watched more of them than my husband since many of the suggestions are "chick flicks". I still have many more to watch. Anyone else that might have been watching this thread, I highly recommend Dear Frankie. You have to really understand the accent though, my husband had difficulty in understanding them, so we put the subtitles on. Battle of Britain, another excellent recommendation. For the historical Britain, Elizabeth I, both Helen Mirren's version and the PBS version were excellent! Thanks to PBS, I've watched Monarch of the Glen, Ballykissangel (Ireland, I know, but still wonderful) and the British comedies, old and new. We still have so many more to watch, thank you all again. PS: my husband has begun the process of obtaining his passport! It's just a matter of time.....:o)

Monarch of the Glen, Highlander. Love them both! You should be able to find MOTG at the library. I know its in our tiny community library, so it should be in a larger one. (Or inter-library loan)

How about Scottish festivals in the area? I don't know where you are in relationship to Augusta, but there's a festival in August. You should be able to find videos/movies there as well. Just remember to get the NTSC version for North American players.

http://www.mainehighlandgames.org/

If you need someone to go with you, let me know!! =)

Try these dark comedies about underground UK:

• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

• Snatch

For a look at some more English history you could try the HBO series The Tudors. It's Filmed in Ireland and entertaining-for-TV-history but it inspires me to do research to find out what's real and what isn't. Plus Jonathan Rhys Meyers is also a bit easy on the eyes--not quite Gerard Butler but that's a hard mark to match. I don't get HBO so I rent or download.

"About a Boy" is another good Hugh Grant rom-com movie set in contemporary London.

"Remains of the Day" provides a glimpse into manor life before WWII and the 1960s (great performances by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson - Hugh Grant has a supporting role as well, along with Christopher Reeve).

"Yanks" stars Richard Gere, and is set in a small English town during WWII. A couple of romantic plots of relationships between American soldiers and English women.

"Shadowlands" provides a look at the courtship and marriage of C. S. Lewis, the British author of the Narnia books.

"Children of Men" is set in a dystopian future England, where the world's women have lost the ability to become pregnant.

Anyway, you (and your husband) should find these entertaining - good luck!

Howard's End and The Remains Of The Day are two of my favorites, both starring the amazing Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. Also, watch the public television specials "1900 House" and "1940 House" both filmed in London. And most of all, the "Upstairs Downstairs" 5 season series from the 1970s is a must.

What a great variety. I've watched more of your suggestions. I have yet to see Upstairs Downstairs, but I'm saving that for after the holidays when winter sets in. I enjoyed Shadowlands, Remains of the Day, Chariots of Fire, also TV series, Forsythe Saga, Hetty Wainthrop, Miss Marple, Bramwell, Foyles War, and British Comedies, My Hero, A Fine Romance. We've enjoyed them all, and there's still so many more! Thank you for your suggestions......winter's coming so if there's others that any of you have thought of, please feel free to post them here!

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (filmed on location in an actual London hotel)

The Navigators (a UK production filmed outside of London)

Upstairs Downstairs (a 1970s London Weekend Television production taking place in the first quarter of the 20th century in a wealthy Belgravia home)

Brideshead Revisited (another TV drama taking place in the first quarter of the 20th century in and near London)

The "Tudors" series on Showtime. Season 1 is out, or you could probably rent from Blockbuster. I love this period of British history. I plan to visit Hampton Court and Tower of London in May. Though, it won't give you views of the England/Scotland countryside, because I believe it is filmed in Ireland. Why not, the lead actor playing a British King is Irish. But it will give you a nice enjoyable history lesson.

Whew! I'm amazed at some of the suggestions. The idea was to get your husband to want to go to Britain, right?

You probably want to pass on Train Spotting, Angelas Ashes or Children of Men (good movies but not the kind to make you say, "I'd really like to go there").

For Ireland, I like Finnegan's wake and the Quiet Man.

For Scotland, the best I can come up with is Braveheart and Rob Roy, both have great views of countryside (okay so Braveheart is Irish countryside) and history if the storyline is a little bloody.

For England, It's hard to find something that's entertaining to a large audience. Many are boring dramas while others are chick flicks. The Full Monty was surprisingly good and I liked The Man Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain (even though it's a chick flick). For a city comedy, why not A Fish Called Wanda? Monty Python and the Holy Grail depends on your sense of humor, I love it but I can see many people thinking it's ridiculous. If you're looking for fun British sitcoms, I recommend Fawlty Towers. I really like Absolutely Fabulous but, again, probably not for everybody.

What I find interesting is that no one asked...what kind of movies/tv shows does he like?

And I agree with Brad. Just because a movie/show is based in the UK may not be a good reason to watch it. Some might turn him off.

My mother had the same problem years ago with my father. She wanted to go to England (she was an English major in college) and my father had no interest in leaving the country. So, she started showing him things about England that would interest him. Once she got him overseas the first time, he loved it and they started traveling all over.

OOOhhh Brad, The man who went up a hill and came down a mountain --- thats in Wales :)

Im female so I just had to mention that.

For your own personal enjoyment, Diane, I would suggest the A and E version of Pride and Prejudice - shot in Lacock and varoius other places. The newer (mid to late 1990's) BBC version of Persuasion has great scenes in Bath. Sense and Sensibility has a bit in London - but not enough to get a feel for the place. I hope you are successful in persuading your husband. My fiancee and I just got back from Great Britain (Edinburgh, Lake Distict, Bath and London) and we loved it. Great Britain has so much history and the people were so nice. Perhaps you can lure your husband with the prospect of having a pint in a different pub each night? Hiking up to the top of Arthur's seat in Edinburgh or with the sheep in the lake district was enough enticement for my fiancee.

Anyone who thinks "Trainspotting" sounds like a nice flick about trains and gets it to watch to entice a loved one to Britain... STOP.. it is as I recall( saw it years ago ) a very dark film about drug addicts and it is majorily depressing and the background is seedy Britian,, not enticing at all!

But it have been great seeing so many films mentioned, many of which I had forgotten, but loved.

Howards End

Remains of the Day

Love Actually

all the Jane Austen films (BBC miniseries also)

Notting Hill

Alfie

The Queen

The Tudors

Shadowlands

Yanks( this is a surprisingly good movie)

Darling Buds of May( hilarious old t.v series)

Keeping up Appearences( ditto above)

The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a Mountain

and of course Braveheart and Rob Roy

The Full Monty, Keeping Mum, Secrets and Lies. Subscribe to BBC America. I think you need to find the English equivalent to what kind of thing he enjoys at home. If he likes history, a lot has already been suggested. If he likes mysteries try to find the Midsomer Murders Series or Inspector Lynley. I also like to remind my husband, a car buff, that the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club's National meet is coming up. It's open to the public. Or the Chelsea or Hampton Court Flower shows, or The Tattoo and fringe festival in Edinburgh.

Did anyone mention the 2 British series done in the early 90's -- As Time Goes By and Keeping Up Appearances -- both with excellent casts. They really show a slice of British middle-class life. Both are very amusing. They are shown continually on our local PBS stations out here in San Francisco.

BG I love Keeping up Appearences too, hilarious.. I did mention it ,but forgot to leave spaces between lines so when my post came out it was just a mash,, I have since fixed that.

For me it started with Monty Python :)

The modern Monty Python, I think would be "Little Britain" but they can get into some pretty nasty humor (personally, I LOVE IT!)... but they don't do many landscape sketches.. it's more city area's and for the British humor, 'being silly'.

I've always wanted to see The White Cliffs of Dover since I saw "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (but I think I'd rather go to Beachy Head).

"Tomb Raider" 1 & 2 were filmed in various parts of Great Britain.

Harry Potter?

"V for Vendetta", "National Lampoon's European Vacation"

When I think of England, I tend to think of the girlie movies... "Sense and Sensibility", "Mansfield Park", "Remains of the Day", "Howards End"...

Gosford Park and Four Weddings and a Funeral. One of the weddings took place in St Bartholomew the Great Church in London.

Tina, I love Little Briton too. There's also that other one, A League of Gentlemen?? What about The Graham Norton Show. AND tho maybe not England, Father Ted is very funny.

French and Saunders

84 Charing Cross Road is a lovely movie with Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. It's about a book store in London, about 1950, and about people who love English literature.

movies: "Waking Ned Devine" and "Death at a Funeral"
TV series: "The Vicar of Dibley"

I forgot "Brassed Off" and "The Snapper" stars Tina Kelliher? from BallyK

I thoroughly enjoy reading historical fiction type books about the areas I plan to go to next year. Most are historically accurate and they really help me understand and appreciate the area history. One series I am reading right now that I am totally engrossed in is the Phillippa Gregory set of the Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover, and there are a few more I'm not quite to yet (London/English history on the Tudor dynasty). There is a movie based on The Other Boleyn Girl - I've very much enjoyed reading/seeing them, and heard there will be other movies out to follow....If your husband wouldn't want to read the books, your (or someone else reading this) would probably really enjoy them, as I have!

I thoroughly enjoy reading historical fiction type books about the areas I plan to go to next year. Most are historically accurate and they really help me understand and appreciate the area history. One series I am reading right now that I am totally engrossed in is the Phillippa Gregory set of the Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover, and there are a few more I'm not quite to yet (London/English history on the Tudor dynasty). There is a movie based on The Other Boleyn Girl - I've very much enjoyed reading/seeing them, and heard there will be other movies out to follow....If your husband wouldn't want to read the books, your (or someone else reading this) would probably really enjoy them, as I have!

Thanks Tami,

I thought about whether up a hill, down a mountain might be Cornish or Welsh but couldn't remember. You would think I'd know since I have Welsh roots.

There is also a series called "A history of Britain" that I absolutely loved (but I REALLY like history). As I recall it's been on Public TV more than once but may be available in Libraries now.

I just watched 'Notting Hill' again - it is available as a 'Watch Now' on Netflix - and it is a very good film. They paid attention to details, like when Hugh Grant's character gets on the bus to go from the Ritz back to Notting Hill, he gets on the correct bus (number N452 as it was night time) that goes to Notting Hill. I was impressed by this! My wife and I also caught 452 to Notting Hill, though it stopped short of the street we wanted to visit the bookstore "Books for Cooks" which is across the street from the Travel Bookshop, which they say inspired the bookstore in the film. By the way, 'Notting Hill' is a rough remake of the classic 1953 Audrey Hepburn film 'Roman Holiday'

greenstreet hooligans is an interesting movie about english soccer firms (gangs). Lots of fighting but a good story about friendship and loyalty as well. lots of cool shots of london and the surrounding areas.