Review: ‘Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger’ celebrates a colorful partnership
As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of cinema, I can’t help but be captivated by the extraordinary partnership between Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Their 1940s classics, including “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,” “Black Narcissus,” and “The Red Shoes,” continue to enchant audiences with their visionary storytelling and groundbreaking techniques.
People who think filmmaking is a collaborative art form point to the movies created by Michael Powell, an Englishman, and Emeric Pressburger, a Hungarian, as prime examples. From the 1940s through to peace time, their visionary partnership produced masterpieces such as “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,” “Black Narcissus,” and “The Red Shoes.” These timeless wonders, showcasing their groundbreaking teamwork, have left an indelible mark on cinema. They opened up the art form in profoundly human, subversive, and enchantingly magical ways.
Martin Scorsese, an asthmatic kid captivated by TV, was deeply moved by “Tales of Hoffman,” the opera fantasy shown on the family’s small black-and-white set, despite its poor reception. After he grew up to become a director and met Powell in the 1970s, Scorsese has dedicated his life to promoting their films. He acknowledges their influence on his own creative process.
Scorsese’s passion for filmmaking makes him an ideal storyteller for exploring the unconventional and extraordinary works of Powell and Pressburger. His heartfelt commentary as the host of David Hinton’s documentary, “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger,” sets this engaging master class apart from most films about movies. Additionally, its release perfectly aligns with the Academy Museum’s ongoing retrospective, “Tellers of Tales,” which showcases restored films and runs until Aug. 19.
Powell and Pressburger began their careers in different places: Powell learned filmmaking under MGM’s Rex Ingram in France, while Pressburger honed his screenwriting skills at Berlin’s renowned UFA studios. They crossed paths later in the 1930s in England, introduced by producer Alexander Korda. Pressburger described his move as a “second birth” at the age of 33. In an interview from their later years, Powell fondly reminisced about Pressburger’s exceptional storytelling abilities, referring to him as “a brilliant mind.”
I was captivated by the groundbreaking collaboration between this iconic duo, who would later become known as The Archers. Their partnership began during the U.K.’s urgent need for wartime propaganda, and it blossomed into something truly extraordinary with films like “Colonel Blimp” and “A Matter of Life and Death.” In “Colonel Blimp,” they skillfully combined satire and patriotism, poking fun at British war leadership while still paying homage to their country’s values. And in “A Matter of Life and Death,” they crafted a magical romance set in heaven, where the stakes were as high as life itself.
As a movie critic looking back on their collaboration, I sadly acknowledge that Powell and Pressburger’s partnership couldn’t sustain itself. Their tale began with the loss of creative control, leaving Powell’s solo work, like his 1960 film “Peeping Tom,” feeling disconnected and unwanted. Despite their lingering friendship, their reputations faded away, much like a mist in the Scottish highlands that has been scorched by the sun.
In “Made in England,” Adrian Johnston’s captivating score evokes the feeling of discovering a long-lost masterpiece by Powell and Pressburger. The movie serves as an enlightening introduction, yet it also underscores the dynamic nature of our connection to cherished films. While these cinematic gems remain constant, the emotions they elicit can appear limitless. Scorsese poignantly emphasizes this idea, sharing how “Colonel Blimp” has grown deeper in meaning for him throughout the years. Exceptional art maintains its grip, and with any fortune, “Made in England” will inspire both repeat viewings from dedicated fans and the creation of new admirers.
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2024-07-27 04:28