Powell and Pressburger

[Steve Crook]

What? No mention of Powell and Pressburger?



The most magical, experimental, dangerous, wonderful film makers ever to come out of these isles. 22 films (the IMDb counts the re-cut of Gone to Earth as a different film) together. 15 with that wonderful joint credit "Written, Produced and Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger". And all in a mere 27 years.



The 15 with the joint credit were made in about 15 years. They worked with a wonderful team (cast & crew) collectively known as The Archers. Sadly we shall never see their like again. But we can still enjoy their work.

[smudge]

This is really a question for Steve Crook, I suppose, with reference to the P&P Society. I know you've said before here Steve, but what exactly do you do, and where do you do it ? (Apologies for my failing memory)



I was thinking that there's quite a 'core' of posters to this forum and was wondering if there is a similar sort of society which shows a general spectrum of British films (PLEASE don't say the BFI !).



If not, should something be done about it ? Or are we spread too far and wide across the country ?

[Steve Crook]

Get out more? Why?

There are all those great films to watch :)



We started it as an email list mainly to let each other know when any of the films were being shown either in a cinema or on TV and when they were released on video, DVD or any other medium.



Of course we also discuss the films and the people involved as well. Like just what is it about A Matter of Life and Death that makes me shed a tear every time I see it, and as you can imagine, I've seen it quite a few times.



Over the years, various of us have met up at screenings and related events and have also met quite a few of the (sadly dimishing number of) people who helped to make those wonderful films. We've held a few events ourselves like the A Canterbury Tale location walk this year. We just organised and announced it. I was amazed when I got there and there were over 50 people interested enough to join us for a walk around the locations.



By pooling our knowledge we've all learnt a lot more and have even helped a few people with their studies or research.



They're a good bunch of people with very diverse interests (apart from a common interest in P&P). There are now a few hundred of us around the world.



I think this site acts as one of the best forums for people interested in a wide range of British films. A group like the P&P group needs to have a bit more of a focus - although we do often drift off target a bit.



The email list is based at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PnP/ or have a browse around the web site at http://www.Powell-Pressburger.org

[smudge]

Thanks for the update Steve :)



Loads of great films to watch indeed - this was just a toe in the water job to see if there was anywhere these films were being watched 'en masse' as it were, or if anyone was interested in doing something like that.



I agree that this forum is excellent and it is the friendly and helpful replies that one gets around here that set me think that it would be interesting to actually meet some of these kindred spirits.



Who knows - maybe at a future P&P event ?



Thanks again,

[Steve Crook]

I do announce any P&P events that I know of on the web site at http://www.Powell-Pressburger.org/Events.html . There aren't any planned in the near future unless you fancy a trip to Vienna or to Hartford, Connecticut.

[smudge]

Once those six little numbers fall in line eek! Steve I will surely be available for all such events worldwide ! Till then I'll stick with the DVDs...



LOL



Smudge

[DB7]

The best alternative Smudge (and one the Grauns FU forum used to follow) is for a virtual cinema viewing. Members suggest a "film of the month", then everyone individually views it at home and returns with their comments.



Sadly not as exciting as an evening with Mr. Crook. wink

[Steve Crook]

There's a lot I wish I could get to as well Smudge, but I do have a day job as well (I have to pay for this hobby/obsession somehow).



But the one I couldn't resist was at the San Sebastian film festival in September last year. Over 40 Powell films shown in 10 days!

"We must be in heaven, man!"



Even an appendix inconveniently bursting didn't keep me away.

http://www.Powell-Pressburger.org/Trips/SanSebastian





The "virtual cinema" is a good idea. It's often happened that quite a few of us have seen the same film or documentary at the same time (like that great one on David Niven the other night) and discussed it afterwards. But we've never tried it in the "virtual cinema". I suppose we could even share a few comments during the ad breaks when there are any.



It's a bit harder for those from foreign climes to join in but we have quite a few cases with a few people in the same country.

[smudge]

Some interesting ideas there Steve. Sadly I missed the Niven thing : was running off some films for trades and completely forgot.



Did see the Hollywood to Borehamwood thing though. Not fully watched it through yet, but it appeared somewhat 'scattergun' in its approach.



I used to attend odd events up and down the place (Bray ; Bond NFT, that sort of thing) but the edge went off it since my great mate and oppo bit the dust three years ago. I will eventually venture back though, I am sure. Although maybe not Connecticut.... wink



Smudge

[Steve Crook]

I missed the Hollywood to Borehamwood thing even though I had warned the P&P group to watch out for it. C'est la vie.



As for travelling to see the films, I'm starting to record some of the "miles per film" I've travelled. The trip to San Sebastian gave me quite good mileage because there were so many films shown.



I did a 400 mile round trip to go to see Gone to Earth (1950) in the village where it was filmed in Shropshire. That was also to meet a lot of the locals who had been extras in it and to help put on an exhibition at the local museum/gallery.

http://www.Powell-Pressburger.org/Trips/Shropshire



But I've also done a 470 mile round trip just to see Luna de miel (1959) [aka Honeymoon]. It was shown in a blacked-out village church :)



On the way back from that one I had detours to visit the beach in A Matter of Life and Death (Saunton Sands) and the village seen through the camera obscura (Shere near Guildford). So it wasn't just to see the film.

http://www.Powell-Pressburger.org/Trips/So...merset/20030621



Does that count as obsessive? :)

[smudge]

Obsessive ? Nah - keen, that's all Steve... wink



I heard about the GONE TO EARTH screening on the local evening news ; AFTER the event, but never mind.



I tend to go down south for screenings, but not those sort of miles. Did insist on seeing Canterbury for myself this summer though - even if just for a day trip. Homage to P. Cushing's Whitstable thrown in.



I do chalk up some miles out at locations - generally similar areas, but have had some good countryside days out because of it.



The single track road down one hill to Turville village is FUN, and last time I was in Shere it was absolutely CHOKED with traffic due to an antiques fair Shere was also as seen in Terence Fisher's THE EARTH DIES SCREAMING.



It even runs in the family - wife had us tearing down to Essex to Hatfield Peverel, and Little Baddow. Any kitsch addicts care to guess at the film ?



so there you go Steve - it all seems perfectly alright to me...

[Steve Crook]

[quote]smudge:

Obsessive ? Nah - keen, that's all Steve... wink



I heard about the GONE TO EARTH screening on the local evening news ; AFTER the event, but never mind.



[/b]Shame you couldn't make it, it was a great day (or couple of days). We (Powell's son, Columba, comes to quite a few of these things as well) had to pose for a photo for the local paper as well.

I tend to go down south for screenings, but not those sort of miles. Did insist on seeing Canterbury for myself this summer though - even if just for a day trip. Homage to P. Cushing's Whitstable thrown in.

Watch out for the gathering in Canterbury next year - it'll be 60 years since the release of A Canterbury Tale so we'll be doing something special.

I do chalk up some miles out at locations - generally similar areas, but have had some good countryside days out because of it.

That's the other bonus. It gets me out and about to see some nice places and meet lots of people.

The single track road down one hill to Turville village is FUN, and last time I was in Shere it was absolutely CHOKED with traffic due to an antiques fair Shere was also as seen in Terence Fisher's THE EARTH DIES SCREAMING.



It even runs in the family - wife had us tearing down to Essex to Hatfield Peverel, and Little Baddow. Any kitsch addicts care to guess at the film ?

It's easy to look up for those of us that know how to look these things up :)



Not a film I know.



Nothing is left to the imagination! In her first screen role - Fiona Richmond Britain's No 1 sex symbol

so there you go Steve - it all seems perfectly alright to me...

That's good. It all seems like normal behaviour to me :)

[smudge]

Looks like you got it Steve !



The wife's excuse is that she is a great fan of UDO KIER



(She prefers him when he was younger, of course....)

[theuofc]

Hi, Steve,



I'm not sure where P&P weren't mentioned, but I do know that they are not mentioned enough in light of their remarkable number of fine, fine films. When I was clueless, I admit to not really knowing, or rather, paying attention to them or most directors. My eyes were focused on the stars until I realized that directors are a prime and for some actors an important, vital element in the film. Without them, the actors would be standing alone.



The movie that made me a true believer was seeing AMOLAD, so you can see that I am recent believer, but as I think back to their other films I can see now why I liked them so much. I thought it was only the stars, but it was really the whole package that P&P's brilliance wrapped them in.



Cheers,



Barbara

[Clinton Morgan]

I love Powell and Pressburger. In both colour and monochrome. And yet after over a decade and a half of watching their films I have not seen all of them. Two candidates being 'They're A Weird Mob' and 'The Boy Who Turned Yellow'. I have watched 'The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp' over and over again. I never tire of it. Friendship, true friendship is up there on that screen. My favourite is 'The Red Shoes' which is divine. Watching it is a spiritual experience. When I first saw it I felt that I was watching something cinematic. The small television set, in other words, became a cinema screen. So goodness knows what it'll be like actually seeing it at the cinema. The ballet in Stanley Donen's 'An American In Paris' is nothing compared to 'The Ballet of The Red Shoes'. Give me Hein Heckroth's designs any day. Some people like to split up the two as Pressburger (Screenwriter) and Powell (Director). La, la, la I'm not listening to you.....It will always be



WRITTEN, PRODUCED

AND

DIRECTED

BY

MICHAEL POWELL

AND

EMERIC PRESSBURGER

[Steve Crook]

Good for you Clinton.

Although Emeric did most of the writing and came up with the basic story, Michael often helped out with the dialogue. And although Michael did most of the directing, Emeric was always on the floor ready to give a helping hand when needed. They both did the producing, although as Emeric was the more tactful he often smoothed the ripples caused by Michael :)



Emeric also helped on the editing and with the selection of the music



It really was a collaborative venture.



Steve

[Steve Crook]

Well you don't hit 1,000 posts in the BritMovie Forum every day so I thought I'd better make it a bit special. And where could be more special than in the section about Powell & Pressburger? (Well it's certainly special to me).



I thought I'd remind everyone that this is Michael Powell's centenary year and that they should expect a few notable events wherever they are.



There are various things that have already happened and more still being planned.

There will be quite a few screenings of their films, even more than usual - you can't escape them wherever you are :grin:



There's a big event going on at the Seattle Art Museum, WA, USA

There's a big conference planned in France.

There will be a big academic conference in Bangor, N. Wales

We'll be having our annual A Canterbury Tale location walk on the August Bank Holiday Sunday.

We'll be having an anniversary trip to Mull in October (it's also the 60th anniversary of I Know Where I'm Going!)



In September, on Michael's birthday, I'll be putting in a request for an English Heritage Blue Plaque on his house in London. There's already one going through for Emeric but they take a while to get through the system.



So please make sure you watch at least one Powell and Pressburger film this year and think of that quirky Englishman with a world view (very rare for the time) and the Hungarian who came to live amongst us and liked us despite all our faults. Between them they made some world class films that are just as relevent today as they were 50 years ago.



Steve

[Clinton Morgan]

Only one? Island collecting would be the proper tribute.

[Ed Parsons]

Originally posted by SteveCrook@Feb 18 2005, 01:22 AM

I thought I'd remind everyone that this is Michael Powell's centenary year and that they should expect a few notable events wherever they are.



There are various things that have already happened and more still being planned.

There will be quite a few screenings of their films, even more than usual - you can't escape them wherever you are :grin:



There's a big event going on at the Seattle Art Museum, WA, USA

There's a big conference planned in France.

There will be a big academic conference in Bangor, N. Wales

We'll be having our annual A Canterbury Tale location walk on the August Bank Holiday Sunday.

We'll be having an anniversary trip to Mull in October (it's also the 60th anniversary of I Know Where I'm Going!)



So please make sure you watch at least one Powell and Pressburger film this year...

It's the last night of my week's holiday before going back to work tomorrow. After reading your post I think I'm going to put my feet up and watch 'I Know Where I'm Going!' with some supper and a brandy. I think this was the first P&P film I bought - a blind purchase of the Criterion DVD, which is absolutely superb. It's good to read that so much is happening during Michael Powell's centenary year. With a bit of luck Criterion will get round to release their strongly rumoured 'A Canterbury Tale' and '49th Parallel' DVDs this year as well.

[Steve Crook]

Originally posted by Clinton Morgan@Feb 18 2005, 10:29 PM

Only one? Island collecting would be the proper tribute.

Very true.

Well if anyone can get out to Dunk Island ... :smiling:

That's the one off the Queensland coast where they filmed Age of Consent (1969).

Or to Clark Island, Sydney, NSW where they filmed the beach party for They're a Weird Mob (1966)



I'm in contact with someone who lives on Foula where they filmed The Edge of the World (1937)



And people regularly go to Mull to do the I Know Where I'm Going! pilgrimage.



That covers most of the islands he filmed on.



Steve