The City's top film lawyers might be experts when it comes to questions of finance, distribution and intellectual property law – but do they know what makes a good movie? Sofia Lind asks a line-up of film law partners for their recommendations

Everyone loves a good movie, but do the City's top film lawyers know more about cinema than your average Friday night couch potato?

Given their (possibly self-perpetuated) image as the more trendy section of the legal profession, it would have been fair to assume that a list of top films as recommended by film and media lawyers would include at least a few lesser-known titles. But it seems the classics are classics for a reason.

The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola's unforgettable three-piece marathon suite from the 1970s remains a favourite with many, including the City's media law set.

Peter McInerney, head of film, TV and sports at London media boutique Sheridans, says: "My favourite films are the first and second Godfathers, but if pushed it would have to be The Godfather Part II as both a prequel and a sequel to the first film. Both films have everything – tender family scenes, hope, religion, community and the evils of capitalism. The Godfather Part II has the great back story with Vito coming to America and the Little Italy scenes and Robert De Niro complementing Marlon Brando."

Bird & Bird media partner Howard Rubin adds: "I just think it's brilliant. The first one is the classic but I like all three of them."

Pulp Fiction

Another gangster classic, albeit of a more gory nature, is Quentin Tarantino's 1994 postmodern masterpiece, which intricately weaves together the lives of a bunch of unlikely characters, bringing together John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson and Uma Thurman. The soundtrack is pretty good, too. Rubin says about the film: "It is genius. It is crazy, fun, violent and unexpected."

Trainspotting

Few films have managed to depict society's lowest of the low with such warmth as Trainspotting. Legendary Scottish grime novelist Irvine Welsh was almost outdone by Danny Boyle's 1996 screen adaptation in which young actor Ewan McGregor rose to fame for his depiction of an Edinburgh kid who decides that heroin matters above all else. Robert Carlyle is equally astounding as violent small-time crook Frank Begbie.

Harbottle & Lewis film partner Jonathan Berger says: "A great movie and representing Andrew Macdonald, the producer, was a milestone in my career."

The Seven Samurai

This 1954 classic from legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa is known as the inspiration to George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy and sets out how a group of unprotected villagers persuade a group of samurai to save them as their village faces a major battle.

Reed Smith film finance specialist media partner Richard Philipps recommends this one: "I like Kurosawa's films and I've especially always liked the samurai films. I just find them intriguing while also being beautiful to look at and well-acted."

Control

Directed by famous photographer Anton Corbijn, this is the black-and-white tale of the Manchester band Joy Division and the short life of their troubled lead singer Ian Curtis. The 2007 film, based on the novel by Curtis' young widow Deborah, shows the many sides of life to the rock legend who famously hanged himself in May 1980 to the soundtrack of Iggy Pop's 'The Idiot'.

Wiggin film finance specialist partner David Quli says: "I loved the music and the passion of it. The way the film was shot makes it feel very real. It is also a great story, although very sad, which is very well told."

The Outlaw Josey Wales

This post-American Civil War Western drama from 1976 saw Clint Eastwood in an early directorial role, while also playing the main character who becomes an outlaw as part of a tour of revenge for his murdered family.

Clifford Chance media partner Daniel Sandelson says: "It is a great bit of Western filmmaking which also has a surreal element."

The Tin Drum

Based on Gunter Grass' Nobel Prize-winning novel, Die Blechtrommel, this adaptation from 1979 was also very successful. It is about a boy who, uninspired by the adults in his surroundings, refuses to grow up until he is forced to do so.

Film partner Sean Egan from Bates Wells & Braithwaite says: "Volker Schloendorff's 1979 wonderful film – I love it, as it has moments of sheer cinematic genius and a truly subversive humour."

The Matrix

A mildly confusing computer hacker drama from 1999 sees Keanu Reeves silently save the world by punching keyboards as the lines between reality and cyber-space blur. The saving-the-world bit is the blockbuster element of this film.

Quli comments: "It was just so different and thought-provoking. I love action films as they are easy to watch and a great way to switch off and unwind. I think men like them because of the heroism element. It is escapism."

audreyhepburnBreakfast at Tiffany's

The American classic picture from 1961 sees lead character Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn, pictured) as a money-oriented yet romantic soul, struggling with limited understanding of her surroundings at some times while being quite savvy at others.

Taylor Wessing entertainment and media law partner Paul Mitchell, also chairman of the British Copyright Council, comments: "I re-watched this film recently and was struck again by how remarkable Audrey Hepburn is in playing such an extraordinary character, so innocent yet not so innocent."

Slumdog Millionaire

Few films have won as many awards in such a short space of time as this Danny Boyle-directed romantic drama set in the slums of India.

One fan is Allen & Overy's head of intellectual property litigation Nicola Dagg, who says: "A fantastic depiction of India and the real-life contrast between the country's population of 'haves' and 'have-nots'. It is also very cleverly set in a very current gameshow environment."