They’ve orchestrated some of the most famous films in cinema, and flown the flag for British
filmmaking in the process.
Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’ll be counting down the top ten British directors.
For this list, we’ll’ be focussing on the most influential directors from cinema
that hail from the British Isles.
Although he’s still a fairly new name to many, McQueen has been on the peripherals
of the industry for quite a while, making short films as far back as 1993.
And although he only has a few big titles under his belt, they’ve been some doozies,
and have all garnered a lot of attention - and featured Michael Fassbender.
There was “Hunger” in 2008, “Shame” in 2011 and of course his most famous title
“12 Years a Slave” in 2013 - a film which claimed the Academy Award for Best Picture.
To say Roeg has been around the block is an understatement.
Earning early credits as a cinematographer on the likes of “Lawrence of Arabia” and
“The Masque of the Red Death”, Roeg went on to direct “The Man Who Fell to Earth”,
“Performance” and the masterpiece “Don’t look Now”.
He refined his art through the years and fashioned a unique, psychologically-challenging style,
which has made his films some of the most memorable in cinema history.
Breaking into the film industry with his 1998 gangster classic “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking
Barrels”, Guy Ritchie has since become synonymous with tongue in cheek crime epics.
His unique style of violence and humour, as well as his ability to mix in pop culture
references and killer soundtracks, has given him a distinct footprint on the silver screen.
His smash and grab London gangster films soon led him to direct hits like “Sherlock Holmes”
starring Robert Downey Jr. and 2017’s “King Arthur: Legend of
the Sword”.
There’s an exclusive few responsible for building the foundations of psychological
thrillers, one of which is Michael Powell.
Known for his frequent collaborations with writer and director Emeric Pressburger, the
dream team created some of cinema’s greatest, most revered and most studied films, including
“The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp” and “A Matter of Life and Death” and of
course the highly-controversial and groundbreaking “Peeping Tom”.
Cited as inspiration for many other big-time directors, including Martin Scorsese and Francis
Ford Coppola, his techniques are littered throughout many modern films.
Trying his hand at many different genres, Boyle immortalised himself in the world of
cinema back in 1996 with his second feature film “Trainspotting”.
After directing other gritty entries like zombie flick “28 Days Later”, Boyle went
on to head-up the highly-successful “Slumdog Millionaire”, which won eight Academy Awards,
and other films like “127 Hours” and a Steve Jobs biopic.
Boyle was even asked to be the artistic director for the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony
in London, a true honour for any Brit.
Chaplin is a true example of a rags to riches story - and a multifaceted filmmaker.
From the drudge of workhouses as a child, his early career consisted of stage acting,
which eventually evolved to feature films with his iconic persona, “the tramp”.
But Chaplin was more than just a slapstick comic character.
Outside of starring, Chaplin directed and wrote most of his own films, as well as composed
music for them.
Mostly stepping in front of camera with nothing but a brief idea, his improvisational techniques
have gone on to inspire numerous filmmakers.
This guy doesn't do things by halves.
Known just as much for his writing as he is his directing, he put himself on the map in
the year 2000 with his chronologically-shuffled “Memento”.
Nolan then went on to take the reins of the Batman franchise in 2005 - spawning a highly-successful
trilogy - and he is also responsible for a series of intricate, psychologically-charged
sci-fi hits like “Inception” and “Interstellar”.
When it comes to achieving awe-inspiring cinematic visuals, Nolan is one of the guys you call.
“Lawrence of Arabia”, “Doctor Zhivago”, “The Bridge on the River Kwai” - take
your pick with this guy’s classics.
Winning Best Director oscars for two of those films, David Lean is one of the pioneers of
big-screen epics and his films have served as inspiration for countless masterpieces
from filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick.
Delivering stunning visuals and dynamic performances from actors like Peter O’Toole and Omar
Shariff, Lean was instrumental in bringing British cinema to the rest of the world.
From tension-inducing glances and sound effects, to atmospheric lighting and intricately detailed
sets, Ridley Scott’s films go the whole nine yards, and then some.
Becoming the talk of sci-fi fanboys everywhere in the late 70s with “Alien”, Scott’s
attention to detail and storytelling are legendary.
From other sci-fi classics like “Blade Runner”, to battle-scene heavy “Gladiator”, and
the crime-riddled “American Gangster”, Scott has dabbled in many different genres.
Regardless of the genre, his films always boast flair.
Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions.
Ah yes, the “Master of Suspense”.
If you want genuine, hair raising, goosebump and sweat-inducing thrills, then just watch
one of Hitchcock’s many blockbuster hits.
“Psycho”, “The Birds”, “Rear Window”, all examples of pioneering, Hitchcockian techniques
at work, from unnerving camera angles to first person shots.
Each of his films brews with a sense that anything could happen at any moment, creating
his trademark thriller edginess.
And who can forget his killer cameos.