The 100 Greatest Britons

Churchill: The Hollywood Years

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:01:34 GMT

Winston Churchill
Former Prime Minister

Winston Churchill was the internationally renowned war-time Prime Minister of Britain. He is regarded as a national hero. We don't like to see such a great man mocked, or even worse - portrayed by an American!

Great

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:06:57 GMT

Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Engineer

Isambard is one of our most innovative and creative thinkers. He built the Great Western Railway that I ride to work every morning. He'd be turning in his grave if he saw how it was run these days... Nevertheless, one of the great engineering fathers of Britain. This 'film' is apparently about him, but I think you'd do well just to read the title and leave it at that!

Paris, je t'aime

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:54:06 GMT

Diana, Princess of Wales
Stateswoman

Incredibly popular princess, charity worker and national treasure. I don't think anybody realised this until she died. Still, what better way to be represented on this list than by this film, all about a city you...er, loved.

Evolution

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:12:30 GMT

Charles Darwin
Biologist

Darwin's seminal work on the theory of evolution has given headaches to religious fundamentalists ever since. Other highlights in his career include a beard to end all beards, and a welcome appearance on the back of our ten pound notes.

Shakespeare in Love

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:13:34 GMT

William Shakespeare
Playwright and poet

Bill is often credited as being the greatest of all writers in the English language. That doesn't stop him from being universally detested by secondary school children up and down the country though. At least they found an Englishman to play the wordsmith in this film.

The Apple

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:55:08 GMT

Isaac Newton
Physicist, Mathematician and Astronomer

A man whose contributions to physics need no introduction. One of the greatest figures in the history of science. Represented here by everyone's favourite theory-solving fruit.

Elizabeth

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:13:54 GMT

Queen Elizabeth I
Monarch

The Virgin Queen needs no such tenuous link to a third-rate movie. She's deemed interesting enough to be the star of her own show. Her 44 year reign helped forge a sense of national identity and lay claim to multiple propaganda victories against the Kingdom of Spain

Beetlejuice

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:25:02 GMT

John Lennon
Musician

Hippie Rockstar, Lennon, enjoyed demi-God status in Britain, and maybe the rest of the world. As well known for his philanthropy and humanitarian causes as he was for that little fun-loving young band he was a member of.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:21:45 GMT

Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson
Naval Commander

Britannia rules the waves - a myth that was founded partially as a result of this man's endeavours I suspect. His penchant for littering the bottom of the ocean with prime European timber meant he was the hero of naval men everywhere, particularly Jack Aubrey, who waxes lyrical about him in this film.

Cromwell

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:24:35 GMT

Oliver Cromwell
Lord Protector

Cromwell offended the Monarchy so much that even after his death, the Royal Family ordered his body exhumed and then 'executed' posthumously. Sounds to me like a true British hero then.

Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:26:21 GMT

Sir Ernest Shackleton
Explorer

One of many British pioneers who grew discontented with the already gloomy British climate and set sail to explore the South pole instead.

Australia

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:30:30 GMT

Captain James Cook
Explorer

Cook was the first European to make contact with the antipodean island of Australia, as well as mapping out the rest of the Tasmanian and New Zealand areas.

The Last Boy Scout

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:31:28 GMT

Robert Baden-Powell
Soldier

Baden-Powell and his wife Agness helped found the global Boy Scout and Girl Guides movement, which aimed to develop the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people into productive citizens. I think you'll agree that two very productive citizens adorn the film poster for this cinematic masterpiece.

Alfred the Great

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:31:59 GMT

Alfred the Great
King of Wessex

The fearless Saxon warrior who defended The British Isles from Viking invasion and became the only English king to earn the suffix 'The Great' in the process.

Waterloo

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:34:53 GMT

Arthur Wellesley (The Duke of Wellington)
Military Commander

Keeping with tradition, The Iron Duke oversaw the destruction of the mightiest French fighting force ever assembled under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Warterloo. Went on to become British Prime Minister. A couple of times.

Billy Elliot

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:35:45 GMT

Margaret Thatcher
Prime Minister

The first female Prime Minister of England set about making sure that wasn't the only reason she was remembered. As well as privatising everything in sight, she set about making sure a proud nation was dependant on foreign energy sources for the rest of time. In the process, she shut down dozens of coal mines and forced thousands of men to pursue alternate career paths - the zanier the better!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:37:44 GMT

Michael Crawford
Actor

Eh? This guy appeared as The White Rabbit in this adaptation of Lewis Carroll's novel. Oh yeah, and he was in Some Mothers Do 'av 'em. Michael is also the first recipient in the list of:

***UNDESERVED ENTRANT***

Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:50:23 GMT

Queen Victoria
Monarch

The longest serving monarch in British History and by far and away one of the most popular. The British Empire reached its zenith under her reign and her image adorns statues of remembrance all over the world. Affectionately entitled 'The Grandmother of Europe' back in the day as well, when most of her spouse were of starting world wars. Oh yeah, Judi Dench plays her in this film.

Paul McCartney: In the World Tonight

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:51:03 GMT

Paul McCartney
Musician

Someone once said 'The Beatles are dying in the wrong order'. With only 50% of the band still alive, I think it's fair to say who Britain'd miss most. I think McCartney could go out and murder a bus load of nuns tomorrow and still emerge a national hero.

Alexander

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:57:02 GMT

Alexander Fleming
Biologist

The second Biologist in the list so far! Fleming took the credit for discovering Penicillin, an antibiotic that revolutionised the medicinal industry. A plaque adorns the window where this careless discovery was made. The pub over the road has a plaque claiming it as the originator of the spore! Er... he shares his name with Alexander the Great, of whom far more films have been made about...

Enigma

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:58:01 GMT

Alan Turing
Computer Scientist

Turing listed 'logician, cryptographer and mathematician' as his areas of employment expertise. Turing engineered a machine that was integral to decrypting the Enigma code. Britain repaid him by prosecuting him for being a homosexual at a time when being gay was considered a mental disease.

Arlington Road

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:00:22 GMT

Michael Faraday
Scientist

Faraday is a big figure in the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. This obviously makes him Hollywood dynamite and countless films have been made about his achievements... Arlington road stars a university professor who... has the same name as Michael Faraday.

Henry IV

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:01:47 GMT

Owain Glyndŵr
Prince of Wales

This dude is the last legitimately welsh person to hold the title of 'Prince of Wales'. I have no idea who he is, but Shakespeare saw fit to dedicate a great deal of Henry IV to this mysterious dissident.

The Queen

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:09:46 GMT

Queen Elizabeth II
Monarch

Queeny is probably responsible for millions of pounds worth of tourist investment in Britain. She effectively rules over 129 million people in the commonwealth realms, yet although she holds much theoretical power, she rarely intervenes with political issues.

Masters of the Universe

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:11:19 GMT

Professor Steven Hawkins
Theoretical Physicist

Hawkins' principal interests lie in quantum gravity and theoretical cosmology. He is a remarkably popular academic and author of the best-selling novel: A Brief History of Time.

The Passion of the Christ

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:11:44 GMT

William Tyndale
Translator

Tyndale is responsible for translating The Bible into English and printing it for the masses. That's quite some feat considering it's a pretty long book. How was he repaid for this pious and unselfish act? By being burnt at the stake and accused of heresy of course!

What Women Want

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:15:19 GMT

Emmeline Pankhurst
Suffragette

The Pankhurst family campaigned tirelessly for the right for Women to vote in parliamentary elections during the early 20th century. They now have this right! I wonder how she would regard the modern day apathy for voting in any election these days?

Amistad

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:19:45 GMT

William Wilberforce
Humanitarian

Wilberforce was a key component in the abolitionist movement. Whilst most of us take having a conscious for granted, back in the late 1700s it took revolutionary campaigners to point out that harvesting human beings as slave labour was abhorrently wrong. Amistad has slaves in it[/tenuous]!

Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:20:54 GMT

David Bowie
Musician

The musical chameleon. Always self-reinventing, Bowie remains a style icon and pop-culture favourite in the UK since his rise to fame in the 60s.

V for Vendetta

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:21:16 GMT

Guy Fawkes
Revolutionary

Tried to restore Roman Catholicism to England by blowing up the entire Royal family and associated protestant aristocracy in the Houses of Parliament. He failed and was no doubt hideously tortured and murdered.

The Dam Busters

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:24:52 GMT

Leonard Cheshire
Aviator

A pilot who served during World War II in the Royal Air Force. He was in legendary Dam Busters squadron. After the war he turned to philanthropic endeavours, endearing him to the British public for life!

The King of Comedy

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:29:47 GMT

Eric Morecambe
Comedian

One half of the award-winning double act of Morecambe and Wise. They were so big that Christmas episodes of their show hauled in almost 30 million viewers, and had them interviewing guests ranging from The Beatles to Prime Ministers.

Bend It Like Beckham

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:25:33 GMT

David Beckham
Sportsman

Beckham has notched up over one hundred appearances for the national side, and is teetering on becoming the most capped outfield English player ever. His celebrity status, rake of a wife and girls voice sometimes unfairly overshadow his remarkable talents on the pitch.

Independence Day

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:35:47 GMT

Thomas Paine
Revolutionary

Paine is a revolutionary in every sense of the world. His philosophy and writings helped galvanise America in their quest from independence from Great Britain. Once he stirred up that hornets nest, he disappeared to France to kick start the French Revolution.

Warrior Queen

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:35:59 GMT

Boudica
Monarch

Boudica was another iron-willed warrior Queen that England seems to churn out at will. The Romans picked a fight with Boudica after her husband died. She retaliated by routing a Roman army at Colchester and then marching on London - before burning it to the ground. Legend. In all she destroyed three Roman settlements at the expense of 80,000 lives and almost forced Nero to withdraw all Roman troops from England.

The Gold Rush

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:40:02 GMT

Sir Steve Redgrave
Sportsman

Steve is Britain's most highly regarded Olympic athlete after winning five gold medals in five successive Olympic games. Arms like tower blocks, a modest persona and steely determination ensured him a place in the public hearts.

The Saint

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:39:39 GMT

Thomas More
Politician

Canonised by Pope Piux XI. In 1980, he was declared the Patron Saint of Politicians. God knows what else he did.

Dante's Inferno

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:43:13 GMT

William Blake
Artist

His writings, paintings and poems are regarded as seminal examples of Romantic Age work. That'll be why I don't know who he is then. He died working on a painting commission to represent Dante's Divine Comedy if you were wondering about the tenuous link.

The Big Clock

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:07:06 GMT

John Harrison
Clockmaker

Harrison made clocks and invented some sort of vital sea-faring instrument. Next!

The Other Boleyn Girl

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:07:14 GMT

Henry VIII
Monarch

Henry's outrageous quest for a son brought a schism to the Catholic church as well as the slaughter of some of his less 'productive' wives. The man sure knew how to live though, taking a keen interest in jousting, eating and bankrupting the nation.

Scrooged

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:08:54 GMT

Charles Dickens
Author

The popularity of Dickens' writings have ensured that they have never gone out of print, and he remains one of the Victorian era's most celebrated authors. He could even count Karl Marx as a fan. A Christmas Carol launched the anti-festive killjoy Ebenezer Scrooge into the public domain.

Top Gun

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:10:00 GMT

Sir Frank Whittle
Inventor

Frank Whittle became "The father of Jet Propulsion" by inventing the jet engine.

The Music Man

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:10:29 GMT

John Peel
Broadcaster

John Peel's personal commitment to showcasing new and unsigned musical acts earned him thousands of fans across the country. Some of the worlds biggest bands, such as Pink Floyd, The Sex Pistols and David Bowie, credit him with providing their careers with major boosts.

Murder by Television

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:12:31 GMT

John Logie Baird
Inventor

Logie Baird invented the world's first ever working television. Although his design was almost immediately declared obsolete by that of a competitor, he was still first! Descendants of Baird have decried the current state of television and insist that he wouldn't have bothered with the invention if he had prior knowledge that programming would turn out like it did.

Sicko

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:15:10 GMT

Aneurin Bevan
Politician

Bevan was a key campaigner for the foundation of the National Health Service. The much maligned, often criticised but always taken for granted behemoth that is the NHS has ensured that England has sidestepped the fundamentally flawed notion of universal private healthcare.

Curious George

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:16:03 GMT

Boy George
Musician

A camp musician with a hit or two under his belt and a life of breaking the law ever since. He recently hit the news for kidnapping and beating up a rent boy. What a 'Great' Briton!

***UNDESERVED ENTRANT***

Battle of Britain

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:17:30 GMT

Sir Douglas Bader
Aviator

Legendary pilot and charity organiser. Bader lost both legs in an air crash, but instead of moping around for the rest of his life, he got back in the air and became a fighter pilot. Shot down over France, he was captured and imprisoned at Colditz. When he was liberated from there, he requested again to get back in the air. An unquestionable hero.

Braveheart

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:17:45 GMT

William Wallace
Warrior

Wallace was a key figure in the war of Scottish independence. He defeated the English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge - something the king didn't take too kindly to. Years later after his capture, he was stripped naked and dragged around London behind a horse. Then hung, but released before death, emasculated, eviscerated and his bowels burnt before him, beheaded, then cut into four parts. His head was then preserved atop a pike at London Bridge. It's only fair I suppose.

Francis in the Navy

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:12:13 GMT

Francis Drake
Naval Commander

Drake was one of Britain's great naval men. A privateer, enslaver, politician and navigator, he was present at the defeat of the Spanish Armada. He was such a consistent thorn in the side of the Spanish King, a £4million bounty was placed on his head by the regent.

John Wesley

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:27:39 GMT

John Wesley
Cleric

Wesley founded Methodism, whatever that may be. This contribution to Christian theocracy was actually so important that someone made a film about him. Which is good, as I had nothing.