admwright

In the paper at the weekend I read an artical that the writer said that the Michael Powell Biography was one of his favorite books. However, there appear to be several biographical books on Michael Powell. Which one is regarded as the best read?

Steve Crook

I think they probably meant the Michael Powell autobigraphy.
Even that comes in two volumes.
The first volume, A Life in Movies takes you through Powell's own early life in Kent and then his involvement in the early years of film-making in France and in the UK.
It's divided into 3 chapters, Silent, Sound and Colour - but it's a mighty tome of about 700 pages (hardback, also available in paperback)
The second volume, Million Dollar Movie takes you though the remainder of his life from post war onwards.

I expect it's A Life in Movies that the paper was referring to. It really is a great read and gives a great feeling of what it was like to grow up in those times as well as what is essentially a fairly complete history of film-making.

It's available to buy at places like Amazon

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Nick Dando

"I think they probably meant the Michael Powell autobigraphy."

Is that where the writer is rather over-full of themselves?

Nick

admwright

Thanks for the info. Just placed an order at Amazon

Steve Crook

Well you've read it (I presume), he is rather smug sometimes - but he did have a lot to be smug about

Steve

D Cairns

Powell is quite modest when he admits his failures. It's worth bearing in mind that he does LIE quite a lot though...or at least opt for the version of events that makes the best story. His books are still certainly the best works on the Archers, detailed, entertaining and beautifully written.

Steve Crook

There aren't many that are deliberate lies, just mis-remembered by a man in his eighties :

His son Columba suggested that he was editing his memory to make it a better story. And he does often tell a story where he doesn't look too good because it's a better story that way.

But you certainly shouldn't take everything in there, or in any other autobiography, as the gospel truth and the only version of events. I've quite often spoken to other people involved who remember it happening in quite a different way. And the way he appears to remember conversations from 50+ years ago should give you a clue that it shouldn't all be taken too literally.

Having said that, it is a damned good read and it does cover a very interesting period in film-making, through the end of silent films, through B&W to colour films.

Steve