The eclectic nature of British cinema is explored in this examination of genres from the Ealing comedies to heritage films. Viewed against the social, financial and political background, this is an indespensible evaluation of British cinema.

List of plates, Acknowledgements, Introduction: British national cinema, 1 The fiscal politics of film, 2 Studios, directors and genres, 3 Genres from austerity to affluence, 4 Genres in transition: 1970s to 1990s, 5 Contemporary British cinema, 6 Acting and stars, 7 Borderlines I: Modernism and British cinema, 8 Borderlines II: Counter-cinema and independence, Conclusion, Notes, Bibliography, Subject index, Name index, Index of films and television programmes