in American films?

Because of that ditzy colonel who built a bridge over the River Kwai.

Because you're all so damn evil, of course. And in fairness, David, it's the English who are the baddies. I'm not holding my breath for a Bond villain with a lilting Welsh accent.

[This message has been edited by Quincy Lehr (edited August 31, 2008).]

I suspect that a lot of factors are at work. A lot of racial stereotyping is now considered unacceptable, but since the British are part of the same racial group as many Americans, stereotyping them is not considered to be racist. In fairness, Brits are also stereotyped as charming characters in many American comedies or romances. But as for the dark side, Americans often have a chip on their shoulders about British education (which they tend to assume is better than American education) and the British class system, which they think is elitist. Americans like to think that they are a classless society (a myth exposed as such by an interesting book called Class by Paul Fussell). Insecurity usually leads to hostility. For what it's worth, look at the way Americans are portrayed in British movies. Insecurity cuts both ways.

Susan

Because a British accent connotes to an American ear foreign-ness and sophistication without actually speaking, like, French or something. Also, colonialism, pizza with tuna and sweetcorn, etc.--some aspects of English history are relatively hard to defend.

What about Anthony Hopkins, Quincy (Hannibal Lecter; Welsh)?

Best,
David

--Alas, Simon, this cannot be denied (and you should see what we did to curries).

Best,
David

True, but he played Hannibal the Cannibal with an English accent.

All the things you say are true but I think you are forgetting one very simple thing. Most American actors won't play bad guys, particularly Nazi bad guys. Gregory Peck did it but I can't think of another one. So Nazis are always Brits. I wrote one of my best poems about this. It's called 'Being the Bad Guy' and here it is.

A posh English accent is Hollywood shorthand for villainy - even the Nazis have them.

Being the Bad Guy

I've been the Bad Guy a long time:
Sir Farquar Fitz-Arthur Fitz-Arse.
For hundreds of years I've been calling the shots
And I soon had my copybook covered in blots
As I duffed up the Irish, the Welsh and the Scots,
But you have to admit I've got class!
He's got Class,
Yes, we have to admit he's got Class!

I've been the Bad Guy a long time:
Captain Courtney Carruthers-Carlisle,
Perfidious master of legerdemain.
I did for the Beards and the Galleons of Spain
And I did for the Froggies again and again,
I was evil but how I had style!
He had style,
Oh so evil, but look at his style!

I've been the Bad Guy a long time:
Lord Valentine Vernon de Vere.
I'm a titled and treacherous, base and baronial,
Rabid reactionary, cheap ceremonial,
Vilely Imperial, Home and Colonial
King of the kick and the sneer!
Yes the sneer,
Uncrowned king of the kick and the sneer!

I've been the Bad Guy a long time:
I've been Just-As-Bad-As-lt-Gets.
I seduce with sang-froid, I corrupt with finesse.
I'm a serial sinner, a monster, a mess,
I'm Caligula, Satan, the Waffen SS,
And I even (gulp!) smoke cigarettes!
Cigarettes,
Yes, he even (aaargh!) smokes cigarettes!

I've been the Bad Guy such a long time
I don't think I know how to stop.
Ah the lure of the laudanum, the lick of the lash,
As I ravish young girls and abscond with their cash.
It's a quip and a twirl of my villain's moustache
Keeps this Englishman always on top!
He's on top,
For the English are always on top!

It's a standard convention of television and film. It's even made the Evil Overlord list. To cite:

184. I will hire a drama coach. The hero will think it must be a case of mistaken identity when confronted by my Minnesota accent (if everyone sounds American) or my Cornwall accent (if everyone sounds British). http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...ListCellblockA