Video files - Available DVDs
Billy Elliot (2000) - Comedy/Drama/Music
The film is set in Northern England, against the background of the Miner’s Strike in 1984. It is based on Billy’s life, an 11 year old boy, his love for dancing and his hope to become a professional ballet dancer. Only his teacher realizes that Billy has real potential, but as his family learns about his passion, his problems at home get worse. This film gives a very good impression of Northern English as well as Standard British English.
East is East (1999) - Comedy/Drama
Set in England, the film tells the story of a Pakistani immigrant who is married to a British woman with an Irish Catholic background. The couple has seven children. At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to the eldest son who is getting married to a very beautiful Pakistani girl. The Englishes spoken in this film are British English and Pakistani English.
Notting Hill (1999) - Comedy/Romance
The film is set in Britain. The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world. Although the two become friends, the odds of living a romantic life is are against them because they live in two different worlds. British English and Welsh English are used in this film.
Pride and Prejudice (2005) - Drama/Romance
This is the 2005 version of Jane Austen’s novel, starring Keira Knightley and Donald Sutherland. Mrs. Bennet tries to bring up her five daughters following the manners, moral rightness, education and marriage in the aristocratic society in early 19th century England. The characters speak British English as spoken at that time.
Pygmalion (1938) - Comedy/Drama/Romance
In this film, Henry Higgins, a professor of languages, bets with his friend that he can take a London flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, from the gutters and pass her off as a society lady by teaching her to speak Standard British English. The film illustrates London English (Cockney) and Standard British English.
The Queen (2006) - Biography/Drama
This is an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse at the interactions between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Lady Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning. This film features British English spoken in the RP accent as well as the ‘Queen’s English’.
These and other videos are available at GB 6/29.
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