#441: POWELL, Michael & PRESSBURGER, Emeric: The Small Back Room (1949)

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POWELL, Michael & PRESSBURGER, Emeric (United Kingdom)
The Small Back Room [1949]
Spine #441
DVD
OOP


After the lavish Technicolor spectacle of The Red Shoes, British filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger retreated to the inward, shadowy recesses of this moody, crackling character study. Based on the acclaimed novel by Nigel Balchin, The Small Back Room details the professional and personal travails of troubled, alcoholic research scientist and military bomb-disposal expert Sammy Rice (David Farrar), who, while struggling with a complex relationship with his secretary girlfriend Susan (Kathleen Byron), is hired by the government to advise on a dangerous new German weapon. Deftly mixing suspense and romance, The Small Back Room is an atompheric post-World War II gem.

107 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2008
Director/Writers


From the novel by Nigel Balchin.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixteen-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Nick James.

Commentary

Featuring film scholar Charles Barr.

Video interview

With cinematographer Chris Challis.
Excerpts

From Powell’s audio dictations for his autobiography.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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