British cinema rebounds in 2007

Cinema admissions hit 162 million in 2007, up four percent on 2006 and reversing a two-year decline, the UK Film Council said on Monday.

Box office receipts were also up, rising eight percent to 821 million pounds versus 762 million in 2006.

According to the council, British films accounted for 29 percent of the total UK box office, up from 19 percent in 2006, and were led by "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", the biggest film of the year earning over 49 million pounds.

The council also reported that British films earned $3.3 billion (1.65 billion pounds) at the box office globally last year, a 50 percent jump from 2006.

"Last year we had a great crop of British films and a good year at the box office," said John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council.

"We've got more to look forward to this year with a Bond and a Potter, as well as 'Brideshead Revisited', 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People' and Keira Knightley as 'The Duchess' all due in cinemas soon."

The next James Bond instalment, "Quantum of Solace", is due in cinemas on October 31, and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is scheduled for release in late November.