The “best” British movie of all time is completely free to stream for film fans at home. When you ask Britons what the greatest British film of all time is, you might get a different answer every time. But if you are looking for a definitive answer to the question, the best place to look might be the British Film Institute. In a study conducted by the organisation, 1,000 people from the film and television industry were asked what the best British film ever made is, and the one that came out on top is free to stream at home for Brits.
According to the BFI, the best British film of all time is The Third Man. Released all the way back in 1949, The Third Man has stood the test of time and is still regarded as the best British film ever made. The flick stars Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten and Alida Valli, as well as a slew of other stars from the golden age of Hollywood. Even though it dates back more than 70 years, it remains a favourite for many and has a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 99 per cent. The Third Man is free to stream on ITVX, meaning Brits can access it without paying a penny.
The Third Man tells the story of novelist Holly, who arrives in Vienna at the invitation of his friend Harry only to learn that Harry has died. Following this shocking news, he launches a probe and uncovers the truth behind his friend’s passing.
While it has a score of 99 per cent based on critic reviews, it also favours highly with casual viewers, with an audience score of 93 per cent based on more than 50,000 reviews. Leaving reviews decades after the film was released, fans called it “extraordinary”, “suspenseful” and a “must-see”.
One reviewer wrote: “One of the defining noir films, The Third Man was a great film that kept me quite engaged the whole time. It’s a delight to see the mystery being put together through the amazing writing. The highlight of this film was definitely the last part with the thrilling sewer chase and haunting final shot.”
Another shared: “Both plot and cinematography are beautifully strung together. It’s easy to see why it’s a classic.”
A third said: “Great classic nostalgia. A definite must-watch if you are a fan of Orson Welles, or just a classic film fan.”
When it was initially released, The Third Man was the best-performing film at the British box office. Shortly after, it won two BAFTAs and an Oscar.
While The Third Man takes the top spot as the best British film of all time, there are a number of other classics making up the top ten. In second place is Brief Encounter (1945), followed by Lawrence of Arabia (1962) in third place, The 39 Steps (1935) in fourth and Great Expectations (1946) in fifth.