In a revealing look at one of the defining genres of British cinema, Mark Kermode argues that comedy films win laughs by tapping into our abiding national preoccupations. We love to root for the underdog or 'little man', a key figure who appears in countless guises. We delight in seeing class and manners satirised and subverted. We're fascinated by films that mix comedy and crime. We enjoy home-grown pastiches and parodies that take the big beasts of Hollywood down a peg. And then there's the infamous phenomenon of the British sex comedy...

From side-splitting classics to overlooked gems, Mark shows how making fools of ourselves can make for seriously good cinema.

Below is the list of films which appear in the show, in order they appear (films listed with an asterisk are non-British films starring British comedians).

Introduction

The Personal History Of David Copperfield
The Tramp*
City Lights*
Carry On Doctor
Theatre Of Blood
I'm All Right Jack
Paddington 2
Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb
Kind Hearts And Coronets
The Ladykillers
Kinky Boots
The Rebel
Bedazzled
Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Hot Fuzz
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Mamma Mia!

1. The Little Man

The Tramp*
No Limit
One Good Turn
The Knack ...And How To Get It
Happy-Go-Lucky
Paddington
Monty Python's Life Of Brian
Dad's Army
Oh, Mr Porter!
Whisky Galore!
Withnail & I
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
The Rebel

2. Class And Manners

Blinded By The Light
Withnail & I
No Limit
I'm All Right Jack
Made In Dagenham
Riff-Raff
A Fish Called Wanda
The Full Monty
Calendar Girls

3. The British Sex Comedy

Keep Your Seats, Please!
The Knack ...And How To Get It
Carry On Doctor
Carry On At Your Convenience
Confessions Of A Window Cleaner
Eskimo Nell
Rita, Sue And Bob Too!
Bridget Jones's Diary

4. Criminal Comedy

The Lavender Hill Mob
The Ladykillers
Kind Hearts And Coronets
Theatre Of Blood
The Ruling Class
The Young Poisoner's Handbook
Sightseers
Nuts In May
Four Lions

5. The Joke's On Hollywood

Carry On Cleo
Monty Python's Life Of Brian
Brazil
The Wrong Trousers
A Close Shave
Hot Fuzz
Shaun Of The Dead
The World's End

6. Little Britain?

Paddington 2
The Titfield Thunderbolt
Whisky Galore!
Local Hero
Passport To Pimlico
I'm All Right Jack
Bhaji On The Beach
East Is East
Yesterday
The Personal History Of David Copperfield