However, in recent years we’ve seen Allen exploring further and further outside the confines of the Hudson river and this week sees the belated UK release of his fourth London based picture, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (full review on Wednesday’s show).  Critically, Allen has had a torrid time with his European outings, 2008′s Vicky Cristina Barcelona being the exception that proves the rule, but look a little deeper, and there are some very respectable efforts made outside of NYC, and here are our top 5.

5. Sweet & Lowdown (1999)

Woody’s biopic of fictional jazz guitarist, Emet Ray (Sean Penn).  Loosely based on Fellini’s ‘La Strada’, and featuring a mockumentary style, talking-head introduction from Jazz musicians, including Allen himself, the film chronicles the life of the obnoxious, narcissistic virtuoso as he falls in love with Hattie, a young mute, played exquisitely by Samantha Morton, who, along with Penn, earned herself an Oscar nomination for the role.

4. Zelig 1989

A mockumentary exploring the life of the mysterious Leonard Zelig (Allen), an enigmatic man who’s desire to blend in with present company is so strong, he literally transforms himself into anyone he is near.  Filmed in the style of a 1920′s newsreel, we see Zelig’s encounters with his psychiatrist (Mia Farrow) with whom he eventually falls in love (surprise, surprise).

3.  Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is Allen’s best of recent years, a comic drama centring around two young American woman on a summer Holiday in Barcelona.  Things get complicated when they meet a smouldering artist (Javier Bardem) and his volatile ex-wife (Penelope Cruz).  Beautifully shot and expertly acted, it was a critical success for good reason and his latest in a long list of films to have been labelled a ‘return to form’ for Allen.

2. Love and Death (1975)

A true classic and one of Woody’s most well known, Love and Death is Allen’s satirical take on the religious mysticism, existentialist musings and the funny, long names of the great Russian epic novels of Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy.  One of the great Keaton collaborations, Allen plays a neurotic soldier in the Russian army who, along with his lover and distant cousin Sonja (Diane Keaton), formulates a plan to assassinate Napoleon.  Funny as hell.

1. Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

OK, so bits of it are set in New York, but this musical comedy marked Woody’s first trip to the great European cities, the most memorable moments taking place in Paris and Venice.  With a stunning ensemble cast including Allen, Goldie Horn, Julia Roberts, Alan Alda, Ed Norton, Drew Barrymore, Nathalie Portman and Tim Roth to name a few, the characters burst into renditions of the old jazz classics, some with more success than others.  His best work since Manhattan and his most aesthetically remarkable colour effort, Everyone says I love You saw Allen return to the screwball comedies for which he made his name with great success.  The story line revolving around Alan Alda and his republican son is worthy of particular praise.

Woody’s latest stop on the European tour is Rome where he will begin shooting in the coming weeks.  His 45th picture, Midnight in Paris, is currently in post production with a view to premiering in Cannes later this year.