The UK has one of the longest and richest histories in film and it can be a tough decision to choose the biggest and best.
Billy Elliot, Philomena, I, Daniel Blake, The Souvenir and The King’s Speech are just some of the most critically acclaimed British films to come out in recent memory, but you will be forgiven if you aren’t able to name all of them.
Some of the most watched films in the UK are not mainstream blockbusters that feature a star-studded cast of BAFTA winning actors like Jamie Bell or Colin Firth.
The BFI has archives filled with documentaries, home movies, news footage, forgotten TV programmes and government films from the last 120 years. All of which are available through the BFI and National Lottery project "Britain on Film."
To mark the 25th anniversary of the National Lottery, the BFI has released the list of the ‘Top Ten films most watched through Britain on Film’ to show some of the most popular offerings on the BFI Player.
According to the findings, the number one most viewed title, “Sunshine in Soho” is a nostalgic time capsule of 1950’s Soho that has been watched a staggering 2.5 million times.
Comedian, Have I Got News For You panelist and amateur film historian, Paul Merton said: “Britain on Film is an ambitious project that has made the rich unseen film history of the UK accessible to the whole nation, with thousands of titles from 120 years’ worth of films drawn from the BFI National Archive and regional and national archive partners from across the UK and Northern Ireland from Victorian times to the 1990s.
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“Whilst you or I may never have heard of them before and they will never trouble the weekly box office lists, the films have captured the imagination of the British public and amassed an incredible 75 million online views.
"They are incredible and are a wonderful way to get lost in our history and heritage for an hour, or even a day.
“I love it, and it’s all thanks to those pink tickets at newsagents.”
"The Top 10 most watched films you have never heard of" from BFI's Britain on Film’
1. Sunshine in Soho, 1956 (Over 2.5 million views)
This half an hour long film shows the lively and vibrant life of London's Soho in the 1950s. Now famous for its restaurants and nightlife, this vivid time capsule is a nostalgic reminder of how much has changed in the busy district.
2. Christmas in Belfast, 1977 (Over 1.9 million views)
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles' where traditional holiday activities and images are punctuated by reminders that not all is as it should be. Scenes of Santa on his sleigh are interjected with clips of people of all ages being stopped and searched as a poignant reminder of the difficulties of life in Northern Ireland during the 70's.
3. Tram Rides through Nottingham, 1902 (Over 500,000 views)
The oldest film on this list shows pioneering filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon conducting a tram ride through Edwardian Nottingham, following the same route as today's Nottingham Express Transit tramway. The abundance of horse-drawn carriages and lack of cars at the turn of the 20th century is a far cry from modern day Nottingham.
4. Aberdeen, 1970 (Over 400,000 views)
Produced for the 'Cities of Scotland' series, this colourful documentary of Scotland's oil capital explores the city's growth over the last century. Topics covered include the local harbour, fish market, quarry and paper mill as well as recreational life at the beach and zoo.
5. Chichester Tour, 1962 (Over 376,000 views)
A fascinating amateur film showing the cathedral city of Chichester before the arrival of its ring road and the pedestrianisation of its Roman streets featuring a variety of shopfronts, some of which are still trading in exactly the same location such as Sainsbury's and WH Smith.
6. Changing Face of Camberwell, 1963 (Over 347,000 views)
Looking back at Camberwell's Victorian history, and forward to the future, this film captures the impact of changing architecture on local residents and what has been lost over the years. The film makes an argument for progress while making aware what was being lost at the demolition of old Victorian blocks in favour of new residential towers.
7. Day in Liverpool, 1929 (Over 225,000 views)
Paid for by "The Liverpool Organisation" this city-symphony inspired early travelogue portrays a day in the life of a city on the brink of modernity. The film is a day in the life of the city itself and captures the unique perspective of some of the city's inhabitants.
8. Portsmouth's Charlotte Street Market, 1977 (Over 179,000 views)
An affectionate snapshot showcasing the colourful bustle of Portsmouth's oldest street market– where independent traders and shoppers mix under the brooding presence of the infamous Tricorn Centre, demolished in March 2004 after being voted 'Britain's Most Hated Building'.
9. Belfast – No Way Out, 1970 (Over 171,000 views)
Like Christmas In Belfast, this 1970s film shows what life was like for children growing up in a turbulent decade in Northern Ireland. Filmed for the programme ‘This Week’ the documentary addressed social problems, talked to people in poverty and those struggling to cope.
10. Milton Keynes and the area, 1968 (Over 156,000 views)
Designated as a "New Town" development in 1967, this black and white film showcases the development of Milton Keynes from its original pre-existing village and the surrounding areas we now know from its formal designation today.
The National Lottery has invested over £933 million into almost 23,000 film-related projects over the past 25 years – from films, education and skills programmes, to community film clubs and preserving the UK’s film heritage.
National Lottery-supported films have won 400 awards including 15 Oscars, 100 BAFTAs and 29 Cannes awards, from more than 1,462 nominations.
You can find out more about the BFI player here
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