TOP BRITISH FILMS ARRIVING SOON

One of the mysteries of the film world is that you never know what is coming next. Oh, there is some certainty about what is coming out in the next few weeks and some titles are known even a year in advance. But beyond that, it is a blank canvas, anybody's guess, with rumours abounding but few guarantees.

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It helps if a film is at least in production and, preferably, on location. But even that is no guarantee that it will ever see the light of day, let alone get a big release.

Yet, time will pass and new films will come out. History will be writ.

So it is always fascinating to look ahead, to see what is definitely in the pipeline and what just might be in a few months time.

For now, here are the films that will definitely be making the headlines, followed by a few titles that look distinctly promising.

Some films may not be obviously "British" but have considerable British talent involved, in front of and/or behind the camera.

July 25: *** The Dark Knight has Christian Bale suited up again as Batman *** Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging finds Bend It Like Beckham director back with rebellious teenagers.

August 1: *** Cass tells the true life story of a Jamaican orphan who became one of Britain's most notorious football hooligans. *** Man On Wire documents the daring chap who walked between the World Trade Centre Towers.

August 8: Death Defying Acts ...

August 15: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is the story of a British governess played by American Frances McDorman directed by Brit Barhat Narluri.

August 22: Somers Town find indie Shame Meadows exploring north London life.

August 29: Daylight Robbery (pictured, above) is set on the morning of England's 2006 World Cup clash with Germany. *** The Wackness sees Sir Ben Kingsley flirting with a teenager.

September 5: ***RocknRolla gives Guy Ritchie another chance to find his Lock Stock touch. ***The Duchess starring Keira Knightley as 18th century playgirl. ** Eden Lake scary Kelly Reily.

October 3: ***Brideshead Revisited with Ben Whishaw, Matthew Goode and Hayley Atwel. *** How To Lose Friends and Alienate People features Simon Pegg as funny and offensive.

October 31: Quantum Of Solace finds Bond looking for revenge for Vesper's death.

November 21: Harry Potter will once again dominate world cinemas.

And still to fix a release date:

*** Frost/Nixon is what it says. *** Revolutionary Road has Sam Mendes director his wife Kate Winslet. *** Genova features Colin Firth in a Michael Winterbottom ghost story.