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The 1980s was a unique decennary for Britishcomediesand films in general , with a golden tinge on the ten - year run that give rise some incredible cinematic whole works . In contrast to many American comedy at the sentence , the divergence between the two are often noted , with British piece of work dripping in irony , irony , and ego - deprecation , which create a unequalled brand of comedy . It was also a time when many of Britain ’s heighten stars and comedians were really come into their own and blossoming into internationally known talents .
There are many films from the clip that stick out out asrewatchable British classics , such asA Pisces the Fishes Called WandaandMonty Python ’s The Meaning of Life . These film comprise some of the very proficient of comedy , from the surreal and absurd sketch clowning of Monty Pythonto cinema that tend on societal commentary and uproarious premises to provide the upbringing ground for comical moments . The1980s produced some unbelievable filmsthat helped shape British moving-picture show , not just comedy , and helped foster a newfangled propagation of talent and cinematic brilliance .
10The Tall Guy (1989)
Starring Jeff Goldblum And Rowan Atkinson
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The Tall Guy follows an American actor live in England as he navigates both his personal and professional life in hobby of love and vocation succeeder . Released in 1989 , the film delves into the comedic and wild-eyed challenge faced by the supporter in a foreign land .
represent giant Jeff Goldblum , Emma Thompson , and Rowan Atkinson all virtuoso in this romantic funniness point by Mel Smith . The principal supporter ( who also recount ) is an American player working in England , Dexter King ( Goldblum ) , who has star alongside Ron Anderson ( Atkinson ) in a two - man child’s play call ' The Tall Guy ' for six years in which Anderson is the principal superstar . Dexter is bored with his life until an allergic reaction sees him descend in beloved with his nurse ( Thompson ) , and the three leads form a comic love trilateral that develops over the film .
The moving picture is notable for many reasons , but mainly as the feature pic debut of fabled screenwriter Richard Curtis , who went on to write some of Britain ’s most darling films , likeNotting Hill , Bridget Jones Diary , andLove really . The chemistry between the three leads is about as tangible as expected , with them jounce off one another and creating amusing deception in each scene . The moving picture ’s premiss is a spot vestigial , but the performance help raise the material , and the writing and directing of some emerge , gifted hand make it more than deserving the watch .
9Time Bandits (1981)
Starring John Cleese And Sean Connery
Time Bandits is a phantasy adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam . The story follow a young boy named Kevin who joins a group of gnome on a journey through various historical eras , using a stolen single-valued function to navigate dissimilar fourth dimension point . Along the way , they chance iconic figures and at long last confront an evil force . The film aggregate elements of story , humor , and phantasy in a visually distinctive narration .
Time Bandits , written and directed by Terry Gilliam - a founding member of the Monty Python comedy troop -is a surrealistic , fantasy escapade that incorporates elements of sci - fi and clowning . It surveil the account of a young boy , Kevin , who is taken on a wicked journeying through time with a radical of thieves who steal valuables and treasure from the various time periods in history that they travel to . The story features real - life and fictional fictitious character like Napoleon and Robin Hood in a hilarious and genre - bending instauration .
Terry Gilliam is one of the premiere genius in modern British funniness , and he depict many signs of his creativeness and humor in this absurd but whimsical piece . The picture show feature an ensemble cast , including John Cleese , Sean Connery , and Shelley Duvall , who all do an excellent job with their piece and enhance the story with their delivery and sincere execution . The imagination and visual storytelling are fantastic , with some laugh - out - loud mo , but other photographic film oversee to make more cohesive comedies with fishy second overall .
8How To Get Ahead In Advertising (1989)
Starring Richard E. Grant And Rachel Ward
How to Get Ahead in Advertising follows a British advertizement executive who experience a surreal crisis when acute pressure from his work and a skin - emollient guest manifest as a talking boiling point on his neck . Released in 1989 , this dark drollery explore themes of stress and identity in the advertising industriousness .
How To Get Ahead In Advertisingis , without dubiousness , one of the most bizarre British photographic film of all time , not just drollery , and it boast many element of British sense of humor that make it a standout in the genre . The plot of ground follows advertising guru Denis Dimbleby Bagley ( Richard E. Grant ) , who has a boiling point on his shoulder that turn so large it develops its own sinister persona . The boiling point shape - shifts and transform into a version of Denis ' original head , convert doctors to lance the normal head , leave the boiling point now in charge of Denis ' body and life .
comedy got a little chip darker and more socially conscious in the 2010s , and this unexampled trend produced a duad of Best Picture winners .
The black clowning is a cleverly satirical body of work that concentre on themes of consumerism , corporate advertising , and the sometimes soulless nature of stage business culture . Grant boom the multiple eccentric and personas he must perform throughout the film , and for as bizarre and absurd as the plot is , it is play with a dry British smile that makes it surprisingly feel naturalistic and effectual . evidently , it wo n’t be a celluloid that suits everybody ’s tastes with such an unnerving premise , but it rest a furore classic that showcases someone of the uniqueness of the country ’s sense of humour .
7Educating Rita (1983)
Starring Michael Caine And Julie Walters
Educating Rita follow Rita , a spirited 26 - twelvemonth - old styler seek self - breakthrough , as she inscribe in the Open University . There she take on Dr. Frank Bryant , a disenchanted literature professor entangled in personal hullabaloo , whose life is reinvigorated by the challenge Rita present .
Lewis Gilbert’sEducating Ritais a comedy - drama write by Willy Russell , based on his 1980 stage play , that stars Julie Walters and Michael Caine . The pair swordplay married hairstylist Rita ( Walters ) , who is look to further her career and go back to education , and an alcoholic prof , Dr. Bryant ( Caine ) , who is struggling to come to term with his divorce , who helps Rita see her academic potency . The two configuration an unlikely mentorship , with the film research many themes like love , ego - find , and the value of learning .
The British Film Institute ( BFI ) ranked Educating Rita as the 84th greatest British moving-picture show of the twentieth Century .
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Walters and Caine are utterly magnetic , with an undeniable interpersonal chemistry that helped see the plastic film win a succession of awards , include BAFTA and Golden Globe gain for the two star topology , as well as three Academy Award nominations for the film . The witty negotiation , delivered to perfection in compounding with the overall chronicle and character developing , creates an excellent production deserving of its acclaim . It attend moments of drama punctuated with classic British humor that tells a story with real heart and soul that assist the two main characters see their own time value .
6Victor/Victoria (1982)
Starring Julie Andrews And James Garner
Victor / Victoria is a sophisticated melodious comedy that explores motif of personal identity and magic trick through the story of a woman who convincingly masquerades as a male female imitator . direct by Blake Edwards and starring Julie Andrews , the film is do in thirties Paris and showcases intricate sex roles and social dynamics within a compelling narration framework .
Musical comedyVictor / Victoriais a celluloid that seems right smart ahead of its time , write and send by the exceptional Blake Edwards , that sees Julie Andrews star as the titulary character . Andrews plays Victoria , a singer who is struggling to make end meet , so she has the idea for a new act , make to be a man who is then impersonate a womanin hopes of finding fame and fortune . The unique and innovative story is a clever concept that focus on topic like sexuality , stereotype , societal pressure , and the pit of show business .
The 10 Funniest 1980s British Comedies On This List :
The Tall Guy follows an American actor living in England as he navigates both his personal and professional life in pursuit of love and career success. Released in 1989, the film delves into the comedic and romantic challenges faced by the protagonist in a foreign land.
IMDb Rating :
The Tall Guy(1989 )
6.2/10
metre Bandits(1981 )
6.9/10
How to Get Ahead in Advertising(1989 )
6.8/10
civilise Rita(1983 )
7.2/10
Victor / Victoria(1982 )
7.6/10
Withnail and I(1987 )
7.5/10
Local Hero(1983 )
7.3/10
A Pisces Called Wanda(1988 )
Monty Python ’s The Meaning of Life(1983 )
Brazil(1985 )
Time Bandits is a fantasy adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam. The story follows a young boy named Kevin who joins a group of dwarfs on a journey through various historical eras, using a stolen map to navigate different time periods. Along the way, they encounter iconic figures and ultimately confront an evil force. The film combines elements of history, humor, and fantasy in a visually distinctive narrative.
7.8/10
The picture was a vast critical success , seeing it nominated for seven Academy Awards and being accommodate into a hit Broadway melodious in 1995 . Andrews is the obvious standout , turn in an iconic performance in a character that take on multiple theatrical role and roles , even some at the same clip , and pull it off flawlessly . The rest of the ensemble cast , including James Garner and Robert Preston , all deliver , and the melodic element meld with the comic negotiation and sharp deliverance make it a film that breaks novel ground in the comedy genre .
5Withnail And I (1987)
Starring Paul McGann And Richard E. Grant
Withnail and I is a British black comedy film calculate by Bruce Robinson . fix in 1969 , it follow two out - of - work player , Withnail ( Richard E. Grant ) and Marwood ( Paul McGann ) , as they leave their squalid London flat for a holiday in the countryside , seeking both escape and greening . The film explores themes of friendship , despair , and the harsh realities of their bohemian aspirations .
In one of Britain ’s premiere cult classic , Withnail and Iis a dim clowning written and directed by Bruce Robinson(The Killing Fields ) that follows the lives of two shin thespian . The plot of ground sees the two ( Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann ) move from their flat share in bustle about Camden Town to a country bungalow - owned by Withnail ’s uncle - in the idyllic lake dominion . The story then follow their black attack at a reposeful and cultured weekend as mishaps , drugs , alcohol , and their own issue make round-the-clock pandemonium and problems .
There have been raft of uproarious British comedy movies in the last decade , but not many of them have establish an external audience .
As with any ' buddy ' comedy , the chemistry and camaraderie between the two needs to be just right , and it is , finger genuine and realistic throughout the total film , bouncing off each other in every view . The picture has several dark moments of somber introspection between the two , but that make the snappy dialog , cracking pitch , and interplay between them crop up that much more . It is an first-class example of Britain ’s love for dark witticism and finding comedy in hapless situations that make it infinitely rewatchable and hilariously repeatable .
4Local Hero (1983)
Starring Peter Riegert And Denis Lawson
Local Hero follows a representative from an American oil company who travel to Scotland with the design of purchasing a settlement to construct a refinery . As negotiations unfold , unexpected events gainsay his task , creating a tale that explore cultural exchanges and environmental themes .
Bill Forsyth’sLocal Herois a funniness - dramatic event that fancy an American oil company executive director ( Peter Riegert ) send to the modest Scotch small town of Ferness . The film ’s plot pursue the administrator as he is initially task with purchasing the townspeople and the surrounding arena for his troupe , but he interact and bonds with the locals and come to agnize the love life , passionateness , and joy that cumulate in little - known , rural post . The fish - out - of - weewee scenario is wondrously played as the gorgeous setting , and differences between cultivation really shine through .
The film was very well received , both critically and commercially , currently sit at a 100 % rating on pic review internet site Rotten Tomatoes . The ensemble plaster bandage , including Burt Lancaster and Peter Capaldi , all pick up their functioning , and the culture crash clowning is highly effective , with an understated yet potent dialogue that is implausibly well pretend . The film has an fundamental warmth that make some of the comedy stand out and creates a unique emotive combination that avail the film achieve its dear status .
How to Get Ahead in Advertising follows a British ad executive who experiences a surreal crisis when intense pressure from his work and a skin-cream client manifests as a talking boil on his neck. Released in 1989, this dark comedy explores themes of stress and identity in the advertising industry.
3A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Starring John Cleese And Jamie Lee Curtis
British stealer George Thomason and his advisor Ken Pile bring in two chesty Americans , con creative person Wanda Gerschwitz and weapons expert Otto West , for a diamond armed robbery . When the plan goes wrong , Wanda tries to seduce Archie Leach to happen out where George has hidden the diamonds .
A Pisces the Fishes call Wandais a comedy rip-off picture co - write and directed by Charles Crichton with input from the legendary John Cleese . The motion picture ’s plot understand a group of diamond thieves all seek to delude and turn on each other for be the one to stop up with the diamonds stolen by their drawing card , who was recently put away . The comedy is full of intricate paronomasia , misinterpretation , misdirections , and razor - sharp delivery that make it one of the okay British comedy ever made .
As club ’s position alter , many old funniness fall out of fashion . However , some eighties classics handle taboo topics with the farthest care .
The film ’s ensemble cast all do a stellar job with their purpose , with Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis having impeccable tensity andKevin Kline actually winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor as the eclectic Otto . The cast all have tremendous comedic timing , and the multi - layered narrative has a unequalled intricacy but never go perplexing while incorporating all the usual aspect of British comedy . A Fish Called Wandais wonderfully place , with a subtle splendour that earmark the writing and performances to be the stars of the show .
2Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life (1983)
Starring Graham Chapman And John Cleese
Monty Python ’s The Meaning of Life is a comedy consisting of a series of satirical cartoon explore biography ’s experiential questions . Released in 1983 , the pic presents surreal sketch , including a London insurance company becoming a pirate ship , and National Health doctors prosecute unconventional medical function .
In one of the most quintessentially British comedies ever conceived , Monty Python ’s The Meaning of Lifeis a melodious sketch comedy by the Monty Python troop directed by Terry Jones . Monty Python was a collective of the right British comics who formed a group , perform various survey shows and comedy works . The film features a multitude of sketches , each with alone characters , mount , and philosophies that act out to form one overarching composition : wondering what is the meaning of lifespan .
Though the troop ’s previous works inHoly GrailandLife of Brianboth had a cohesive and structured story , The Meaning of Lifegoes back to their roots with a sketch format , allowing them to expound creatively . While some survey are firm than others , the cast all play many different roles and characters and have a unparalleled alchemy together , with a seemingly uncanny sense of each other ’s timing and obstetrical delivery . The absurdity , the satiric wit , and the melodic chemical element all join forces to create a masterwork of British comedy .
1Brazil (1985)
Starring Jonathan Pryce And Robert De Niro
One of the best British comedies of all time , Brazilis a dystopian black comedy written and target by Terry Gilliam(Time Bandits ) , who has his hand in many iconic comedies from the 1980s and beyond . Set in a futuristic dystopian world , the plastic film ’s plot survey humble proletarian Sam Lowry ( Jonathan Pryce ) , who wishes to leave his mind - numbing work in search of the adult female who has infiltrate his dreams . The pipe dream shortly turn to incubus as the movie descends further into dark funniness , incredibly ridiculous visuals , and a hilarious take on many societal issues .
Great Britain has always had a dark sensation of bodily fluid , and this is muse in some of the nation ’s most popular comedy movie of all time .
The plastic film has an incredible ensemble mold , with the likes ofRobert De Niro , Michael Palin , and Katherine Helmond all play pregnant roles . The moving picture satirizes many elements of technology , bureaucracy , and capitalism , with the majority of its bodily fluid coming from the engage performances , absurd scenario , and subtle yet barbed jabs at modern society . The motion-picture show is a masterclass in writing and guide with a smart as a whip sexual conquest and unbelievable visuals , and the whole picture show comes together to produce the best eighties Britishcomedy .
Educating Rita follows Rita, a spirited 26-year-old hairdresser seeking self-discovery, as she enrolls in the Open University. There she encounters Dr. Frank Bryant, a disenchanted literature professor entangled in personal turmoil, whose life is reinvigorated by the challenge Rita presents.
Victor/Victoria is a sophisticated musical comedy that explores themes of identity and deception through the story of a woman who convincingly masquerades as a male female impersonator. Directed by Blake Edwards and starring Julie Andrews, the film is set in 1930s Paris and showcases intricate gender roles and social dynamics within a compelling narrative framework.
Withnail and I is a British black comedy film directed by Bruce Robinson. Set in 1969, it follows two out-of-work actors, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and Marwood (Paul McGann), as they leave their squalid London flat for a holiday in the countryside, seeking both escape and rejuvenation. The film explores themes of friendship, desperation, and the harsh realities of their bohemian aspirations.
Local Hero follows a representative from an American oil company who travels to Scotland with the aim of purchasing a village to construct a refinery. As negotiations unfold, unexpected events challenge his task, creating a narrative that explores cultural exchanges and environmental themes.
British thief George Thomason and his advisor Ken Pile bring in two arrogant Americans, con artist Wanda Gerschwitz and weapons expert Otto West, for a diamond heist. When the plan goes wrong, Wanda tries to seduce Archie Leach to find out where George has hidden the diamonds.
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life is a comedy consisting of a series of satirical sketches exploring life’s existential questions. Released in 1983, the film presents surreal vignettes, including a London insurance company becoming a pirate ship, and National Health doctors pursuing unconventional medical procedures.
