Caine tops Brit film list

Michael Caine's portrayal of Newcastle killer Jack Carter has been named as the best film of all time in a new poll.

10:57 04 October 2004

Michael Caine's portrayal of Newcastle killer Jack Carter has been named the best film of all time in a new poll.

Get Carter beat off competition from other British classics such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Life of Brian to top the Total Film list of the best 50 British films.

It may have caused something of a stir when it was released in 1971, but the gritty Get Carter has proved its enduring popularity according to the 25 film critics surveyed for the poll.

The film, based on Ted Lewis's book Jack's Return Home, caused shockwaves after portraying a lingerie-clad Britt Ekland having telephone sex with Caine.

But it has become universally accepted as a British classic and one of Caine's greatest moments in a glittering career.

Editor of Total Film, Matt Mueller, said after revealing the list: "Get Carter was critically slated when it came out.

"It was pretty shocking at the time for its scenes of violence and Caine played a pretty ruthless character. But it has stood the test of time and marks the pinnacle of his career."

A Matter of Life and Death (1946) was second, with Trainspotting - the most recent film in the top ten after being released in 1996 - in third.

Sean Connery's portrayal of James Bond in From Russia with Love (1963) topped the 007 offerings in ninth place, while the Monty Python boys were fifth with Life of Brian (1979).

There was, however, no place in the top 50 for "best picture" Oscar winners Chariots of Fire and Gandhi.

The top ten

1 Get Carter (1971)
2 A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
3 Trainspotting (1996)
4 The Third Man (1949)
5 Life of Brian (1979)
6 The Wicker Man (1973)
7 Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
8 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
9 From Russia with Love (1963)
10 Naked (1993)