Historical Context of British comedy films in 1980s

British cinema went through a difficult phase during the 1980s, due to domestic problems such as the miners strike, where many men working in coal mines in the Midlands and areas across Britain were made redundant, due to lack of profit and were closed without investigation.

In regards to British film, Margaret Thatcher made cuts in support for arts institutions, which resulted in lack of funding for many film and arts companies. It was clear that the Conservative government wanted the film industry to be treated like any other business. Tax increases meant that investment in film was risky. Many film finaancing companies such as NFFC(The National Film Finance Corporation), were privatised, which resulted in films being more expensive to produce.

Despite a government seemingly opposed towards film, the late 80's still saw a steady increase in British film production.

Leonard Quart, in The Religion of the Market, says 'despite the Thatcher government's unwillingness to aid the film industry, it did establish a general mood that encouraged economic risk-taking and experimentation with new and more innovative business practices'. One of these was Channel Four's Film on Four project, which was one of main source of investment in British production during the 80's. It was in some way television repaying its debt to the film industry. Film on Four financed or co-financed many of the great films of the decade such as My Beautiful Laundrette(1984)

Most importantly, comedy films also began to become more prominent during the late 80's. Notably, some major British comedy films relied on financial assistance from America and some were joint produced by American and Britsh directors, such as 'American Werewolf in London' (1981). As well as this, directors and producers in British comedy film intentionally chose to cast American actors and actresses, as seen in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and High Spirits (1988). Therefore, British comedy films would be able to sustain financial relationships with America. Due to poor public support for the British product,Britsh comedies were joint produced and contain American actors, which was effective, as these films would raise cultural identity and Britishness, whilst at the same time would appeal to an international market.