Gangster film Get Carter has been declared the greatest British movie of all time.

Starring Michael Caine as killer Jack Carter, the film - much of it filmed in the North-East - trounced classics such as Lawrence of Arabia, in eighth place, and Zulu, at 36 in the cinema poll.

The 1971 movie sees Caine as a gangster seeking revenge for the death of his brother in Newcastle's underworld.

The film, famous for Britt Ekland's phone sex and Caine's naked shotgun scenes, beat recent British triumphs including Billy Elliot and Four Weddings and a Funeral in the critics poll.

Surprise absences include The Full Monty and Oscar winners The English Patient, Chariots of Fire, Oliver and Gandhi, which all failed to make it into the top 50 by Total Film magazine.

Published: 04/10/2004