The summer is definitely here, and even though you’re probably spending more time outside, BritBox is bringing you some classic stuff to watch on those cool nights: from films starring British legends like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Imitation Game, to classic sci-fi/fantasy shows like Being Human and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
BritBox UK (don’t confuse it with the US version) is a streaming subscription service owned by ITV and the BBC. It curates British TV programmes and classic films from ITV, BBC, Channel 5 and Channel 4.
The subscription costs £5.99/month or £59.99/year, and you can usually get a free trial (See my review of BritBox UK here).
You can either subscribe directly through the website or as an Amazon Prime Video channel.
As always, some content may be added later in the month, but these are the main highlights for the month of August 2021:
August 1
British Film Legends Collection
A collection of films starring some of the most well-known British actors:
The Madness of King George (1994)
When King George III goes mad, his Lieutenants try to adjust the rules to run the country without his participation. Starring Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren and Rupert Graves.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet Agent within MI6. Starring Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy and Colin Firth.
The Imitation Game (2014)
During World War II, the English mathematical genius Alan Turing tries to crack the German Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kiera Knightley and Matthew Goode.
The Third Man (1949)
Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime. Starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten and Alida Valli.
The Elephant Man (1980)
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication. Starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt and Anne Bancroft.
Brighton Rock (1948)
In Brighton in 1935, small-time gang leader Pinkie Brown murders a journalist and later desperately tries to cover his tracks but runs into trouble with the police, a few witnesses and a rival gang. Starring Richard Attenborough, Hermione Baddeley and William Hartnell.
Withnail & I (1987)
In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous. Starring Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths.
Agatha Christie Collection:
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
In December 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before. Starring Albert Finney, Laura Bacall and Ingrid Bergman.
Death On The Nile (1978)
As Hercule Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board. Can Poirot identify the killer before the ship reaches the end of its journey? Starring Peter Ustinov, Mia Farrow and Simon MacCorkindale.
Evil Under The Sun (1982)
Trying to find how a millionaire wound up with a phoney diamond brings Hercule Poirot to an exclusive island resort frequented by the rich and famous. When a murder is committed, everyone has an alibi. Starring Peter Ustinov, James Mason and Maggie Smith.
August 5
Before We Die (Season 1, 2021)
Detective Hannah Laing becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in a brutal murder investigation. Starring Lesley Sharp and Patrick Gibson.
Blackpool (Season 1, 2004)
A unique musical drama series from the BBC: Soon after local entrepreneur Ripley Holden (David Morrissey) opens his arcade in his beloved home town of Blackpool, a murder investigation makes tears at the fabric of his personal and professional lives.
Case Histories (Seasons 1-2, 2011-2013)
Detective drama series based on the novels by Kate Atkinson. Jackson Brodie (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery) portrays a private investigator who is compelled to bring peace to victims and their families, all whilst battling with a traumatic past. Also starring Amanda Abbington (Sherlock).
Murder in Successville (Seasons 1-3, 2015-2017)
Successville is a surreal place with a high celebrity homicide count. DI Sleet enlists the help of a genuine celebrity sidekick to solve the latest high-profile murder.
August 12
Upstart Crow (Seasons 1-2, 2016-2017, plus Christmas 2017)
Exclusive to BritBox: Satirical Blackadderesque sitcom about how friends, family, historical circumstances, and his arch-rival Robert Greene, who first coined the derogatory term “upstart crow”, influenced William Shakespeare to write his famous plays.
Starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan.
This is England ‘86 (2010)
Miniseries starring Joe Gilgun and Thomas Turgoose. Shaun has just finished his final exams and he realizes he is no longer a kid. It’s mid 80’s England, and the gang are back, looking for a laugh, a job and something that resembles a future.
A Very British Coup (1988)
Based on the novel by Chris Mullin, this political thriller stars Ray McAnally as the newly elected left-wing prime minister Harry Perkins, who soon finds himself up to his neck in a conspiracy.
August 19
Being Human (Seasons 1-5, 2008-2013) –
Exclusive to BritBox: The acclaimed supernatural comedy-drama series about three twenty-something housemates trying to live normal lives, despite struggling with unusual afflictions – one is a werewolf, one is a vampire and the other is a ghost.
The show, which stars Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow and Russell Tovey, also inspired an American remake.
Primeval (Seasons 1-2, 2007-2008)
When strange anomalies start to appear all over England, Professor Cutter and his team must track down and capture all sorts of dangerous prehistoric creatures from Earth’s distant past and near future. Starring Ben Miller and Andrew Lee-Potts.
The Sarah Jane Adventures (Seasons 1-5, 2007-2011)
The modern Doctor Who spinoff from creator Russell T. Davies, starring Elisabeth Sladen.
Investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith, with the help of her adopted son, his friends, and an intelligent supercomputer, combats evil alien forces here on Earth.
Terrahawks (Seasons 1-3, 1983-1986)
From creators Gerry Anderson and Christopher Burr. The missions of a planetary defence organization dedicated to protecting Earth from a Martian menace.
The Living and the Dead (2016)
Drama series starring Colin Morgan and Charlotte Spencer. When a young couple inherits a farm, they are determined to turn it into a success, but strange supernatural forces soon intervene, threatening their marriage and their lives.
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006)
Drama series about a supermarket manager who decides to stand for election. Ros Pritchard steadily gains support, giving rise to thoughts of becoming Prime Minister. Starring Jane Horrocks and Carey Mulligan.
August 26
London’s Burning (Seasons 1-2, 1988-1989)
Series centred around the members of the Blue Watch team at a London fire station. The team of dedicated professionals are united by common danger and shared camaraderie.
Houdini & Doyle (2016)
Supernatural crime drama featuring Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan).
After having worked independently with Scotland Yard over the years, the pair begrudgingly join forces to solve unusual crimes, and often come into disagreement as to whether the causes of death are natural or supernatural.
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (Seasons 1-3, 2010-2016)
Todd Margaret is an American who takes a job running the London sales team for an energy drink. He has no experience with British culture, knows nothing about sales and has only one employee, Dave. Starring David Cross, Sharon Horgan and Will Arnett.