According to the latest BFI report, entitled Opening Our Eyes: How Film Contributes to the Culture of the UK, the British public regards film as more important than all of the following: world news, restaurants, the countryside (WHAT?), music, literature, politics, museums, pubs, clubs, sports, theatre, art, celebrities and religion.

Obviously us folks at BFF already knew that, but it’s still nice to see it confirmed in print.

The King’s Speech, in all of its Oscar winning glory, was the film most people opted for when asked which film had the greatest personal effect upon them. Which works in a weird contrast to the fact that, when asked which film had the most significant effect on British society, the general populace dragged out Trainspotting.

Trainspotting? Really? It had a SIGNIFICANT effect on our society, did it? Crikey; fetch me some heroin, stat! Although, to be fair, it did make a lot of people want to see Ewan McGregor naked and, from that point on, he hasn’t failed to impress. Does that count?

The British Film Industry does seem to be doing overwhelmingly well at the moment; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (Part 2), The King’s Speech and (sigh) The Inbetweeners Movie have all topped the box office in recent weeks, pushing Hollywood blockbusters out on their ear. And, with independent films such as Junkhearts set to make a killing in October, it looks like us Brits are crawling our way to the top of the pack.

“And did those feet in ancient time, walk upon England’s mountains green…?”