The Ladykillers

Ealing studios are widely known for their vast output of the quintessential "English" films. Many of the films made under the British studios direction often dealt with post war themes of social decadence and the desire for political change, particularly true of films such as "Kind hearts and coronets", "Passport to Pimlico" and "TheLadykillers". The ladykillers itself is a prime example of English cinema, the film is set in post war London and focuses on a group of crooks who attempt to kill off an old lady in order to take possession of her house and wealth. fundamentally the films themes are dark and menacing, yet like many films produced under Ealing studios, humour and satire are often employed as narrative tools that offset this focus on violence, whilst creating a cinematic quirkiness associated primarily with English film. Films such as The Ladykillers often portray England and her Capital by focusing on working class sensibilities and stereotypes, which tend to give a realistic look at British society as apposed to a Hollywood style glamorisation of the same.