MICHAEL POWELL Interviews on DVD or Video - Britmovie

foulafan · 13-04-2008, 07:45 PM

Hi All,

Would anyone happen to have any interviews of Director Michael Powell on either video or DVD that they could copy,loan or sell please? I think he was on Parkinson in the 1980s so that for one would be of interest. Perhaps Steve C. can help with this one?

Regards.
Dave

CaptainWaggett · 13-04-2008, 09:51 PM

The Criterion edition of 49th Parallel has the documentary A Pretty British Affair which features interviews with both Powell and Pressburger.

Steve Crook · 13-04-2008, 10:05 PM

There's also Writers in Conversation

It's mainly Micky talking and reminiscing and trying to mention his book (ALIM) a few times.

It's part of the ICA/Guardian "Writers in Conversation" series and he's "in conversation" with Chris Peachment (writer on filmic matters) - but Mr Peachment doesn't seem to be fully briefed on Micky's work & certainly can't keep up with some of his references and comments so just lets Micky talk for most of it, steering him back on topic when needed. It doesn't say where it was made but its on stage in front of an audience, I presume at the ICA.

There are some clips from The Red Shoes towards the end after Micky's explained the "All art is one" ethos and how it worked so well on The Red Shoes.

Mentions of 49th Parallel, The Spy in Black, The Life and Death of Colonel Bimp, A Matter of Life and Death, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes & Peeping Tom - but it is only 45 minutes. A few questions from the audience and a few words of advice to young filmmakers "Don't try to do it all by yourself, find skilled people you trust and collaborate"

His mention of his work with Hitchcock suggesting they became quite good friends, more than would be expected between director & stills photographer. If only we could find out. It matters because if Powell was only the stills photographer Hitch wouldn't be very likely to listen to plot ideas like the ending of Blackmail. But if they were friends & Hitch knew he was a reasonable director then Hitch could have given him scripts to check out as he suggests.

Mentions of Peeping Tom towards the end elicit a genuine surprise at the reaction of the critics (even after 20+ years). He seems to not understand/realise why they were so upset.

Even if you don't buy it (it's a bit more expensive than most videos) you can watch it online. It's probably one of the last major interviews he gave.

Steve

Steve Crook · 13-04-2008, 10:14 PM

There was also an episode of The South Bank Show about Powell in 1986 which was mainly Powell telling a condensed version of his life story to Melvyn Bragg, interspersed with a few clips from the films

Steve

13-04-2008, 07:45 PM	#1
foulafan has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 12 Country: iTrader: (0)	MICHAEL POWELL Interviews on DVD or Video Hi All, Would anyone happen to have any interviews of Director Michael Powell on either video or DVD that they could copy,loan or sell please? I think he was on Parkinson in the 1980s so that for one would be of interest. Perhaps Steve C. can help with this one? Regards. Dave

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13-04-2008, 09:51 PM	#2
CaptainWaggett is poised for action like a caged panther Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Posts: 3,350 Country: iTrader: (0)	The Criterion edition of 49th Parallel has the documentary A Pretty British Affair which features interviews with both Powell and Pressburger.

13-04-2008, 10:05 PM	#3
Steve Crook is still cheeky Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 9,637 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (1)	There's also Writers in Conversation It's mainly Micky talking and reminiscing and trying to mention his book (ALIM) a few times. It's part of the ICA/Guardian "Writers in Conversation" series and he's "in conversation" with Chris Peachment (writer on filmic matters) - but Mr Peachment doesn't seem to be fully briefed on Micky's work & certainly can't keep up with some of his references and comments so just lets Micky talk for most of it, steering him back on topic when needed. It doesn't say where it was made but its on stage in front of an audience, I presume at the ICA. There are some clips from The Red Shoes towards the end after Micky's explained the "All art is one" ethos and how it worked so well on The Red Shoes. Mentions of 49th Parallel, The Spy in Black, The Life and Death of Colonel Bimp, A Matter of Life and Death, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes & Peeping Tom - but it is only 45 minutes. A few questions from the audience and a few words of advice to young filmmakers "Don't try to do it all by yourself, find skilled people you trust and collaborate" His mention of his work with Hitchcock suggesting they became quite good friends, more than would be expected between director & stills photographer. If only we could find out. It matters because if Powell was only the stills photographer Hitch wouldn't be very likely to listen to plot ideas like the ending of Blackmail. But if they were friends & Hitch knew he was a reasonable director then Hitch could have given him scripts to check out as he suggests. Mentions of Peeping Tom towards the end elicit a genuine surprise at the reaction of the critics (even after 20+ years). He seems to not understand/realise why they were so upset. Even if you don't buy it (it's a bit more expensive than most videos) you can watch it online. It's probably one of the last major interviews he gave. Steve

13-04-2008, 10:14 PM	#4
Steve Crook is still cheeky Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 9,637 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (1)	There was also an episode of The South Bank Show about Powell in 1986 which was mainly Powell telling a condensed version of his life story to Melvyn Bragg, interspersed with a few clips from the films Steve