The End of the River - A 1947 Movie Produced by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger- directed by Derek Twist - 1 Hour 23 Minutes

available on YouTube 
 

The End of the River (1947) is a British drama film directed by Derek Twist and written by Wolfgang Wilhelm, based on the novel Death of a Common Man by Desmond Holdridge. The film stars Sabu and Bibi Ferreira. 

The film was produced by Powell & Pressburger, the famous filmmaking duo known as "The Archers". It was filmed mainly on location, along the upper sections of the Amazon River.

The film tells the story of Manoel (Sabu), a young Indian boy who lives in the Amazon rainforest. Manoel is taken from his home by a group of rubber tappers and brought to the city of Belém. There, he is accused of murder and put on trial.

The film explores the themes of racism, culture clash, and the exploitation of indigenous people. It was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best British films of the 1940s.

The film is now considered to be a minor cult classic. It is notable for its use of location photography in the Amazon rainforest and for its portrayal of the clash between cultures.

I have spent sometime in the area of Brazil where The End of the Movie was set.  The task of filming must have presented a serious challenge.

A Canterbury Tale- A 1944 Movie Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger- One Hour Thirty Eight Minutes

 

A Canterbury Tale is a 1944 British film directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It is a modern-day retelling of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, set during World War II. The film follows three pilgrims on their way to Canterbury: British Army Sergeant Peter Gibbs (Dennis Price), U.S. Army Sergeant Bob Johnson (John Sweet), and a "Land Girl", Miss Alison Smith (Sheila Sim).

The three pilgrims are delayed in the small town of Chillingbourne when Bob mistakenly gets off the train. They soon find themselves drawn into a mystery involving a serial criminal who is putting glue in women's hair. Alison becomes the latest victim of the glue-slinger, and the three pilgrims must work together to solve the mystery and catch the culprit.

The film is a complex and multi-layered work that explores themes of faith, patriotism, and the English national character. It is also a visually stunning film, with some of the most iconic images in British cinema.

A Canterbury Tale is a unique and unforgettable film that is still relevant today. It is a celebration of the human spirit and a powerful testament to the power of community.

I loved the marvelous open of the play when the opening of The Canterbury Tales is read.

The spreading of glue into the hair of women is a very odd, creepy crime.

The film has a deep sense and love for English history. The impact of the on going war is a marvel to treasure.  

Gone to Earth - A 1950 Film - Directed and written by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger - Run Time One Hour Fifty Minutes

Available on YouTube 

Some visceral reactions

1. The Casting of Jennifer Jones is brilliant 

2. I love Foxy

3. Traditional English Fox Hunting is vile.

4. The film beautifully evokes a pagan England

Gone to Earth is a 1950 British Technicolor film created by the director-writer team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It stars Jennifer Jones, David Farrar, Cyril Cusack and Esmond Knight. The film was significantly changed for the American market by David O. Selznick and retitled The Wild Heart in 1952.

The film is based on the 1917 novel of the same name by author Mary Webb. 

The film is set in the Shropshire countryside in 1897. Hazel Woodus (Jennifer Jones) is a child of nature who loves and understands all of the wild animals more than she does the people around her. She is also a bit of a witch, and she consults the book of spells and charms left to her by her gypsy mother. Her father is a coffin maker and a musician. He and his daughter, his only child, have a relationship fraught with quarrels and deep love.

Local squire Jack Reddin (David Farrar) sees Hazel and wants her for himself. But Hazel has already promised herself to the Baptist minister Edward Marston (Cyril Cusack). A struggle for Hazel's body and soul ensues.

Gone to Earth is a beautifully shot and atmospheric film. It is also a complex and challenging film that explores themes of love, passion, nature, and religion. The film was not a commercial success when it was first released, but it has since come to be regarded as one of Powell and Pressburger's best films.

Mel Ulm

A Matter of Life and Death- A 1946 film written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

A Matter of Life and Death is a 1946 British romantic fantasy drama film directed and written by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The film stars David Niven, Kim Hunter, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey, and Marius Goring.

Available On YouTube 

The film tells the story of Peter Carter (Niven), a Royal Air Force pilot who is shot down over the English Channel during World War II. Carter is rescued by a British aircraft carrier, but he is then transported to a mysterious afterlife where he is put on trial by a celestial court for his life. The court is presided over by the Angel of Death (Massey), who argues that Carter should be allowed to live because he has unfinished business on Earth. However, the Angel of Destiny (Goring) argues that Carter should die because he has no right to interfere with the natural order of things.

The film is a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the themes of life, death, and free will. It is also a visually stunning film, with some of the most innovative special effects ever seen at the time.

A Matter of Life and Death was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it has since been recognized as one of the greatest British films ever made. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The film has been praised for its originality, its complex characters, and its beautiful visuals. It is a truly unique and unforgettable film experience

Coming out right at the end of World War Two some see it as a commentary on the British Empire in the coming days. I was very impacted by the brilliantly done trial scene.

Mel Ulm

The 49th Parallel- A 1941 Movie from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger -starring Leslie Howard and Lawrence Olivier - 122 minutes

The film is set in the early days of World War II, and tells the story of a small band of German soldiers who are stranded in Canada after their U-boat is sunk. The soldiers are led by Lieutenant Hirth (Eric Portman), a ruthless Nazi officer. The soldiers attempt to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral.

Along the way, the German soldiers encounter a variety of Canadians, including a French-Canadian fur trapper (Laurence Olivier in a contrary to type role), a young woman (Glynis Johns), and a group of Hutterites. The Canadians are initially sympathetic to the German soldiers, but they eventually come to see them as a threat.

Here are some of the notable aspects of the film:

The film was made on a relatively low budget, but it still looks impressive. The cinematography is beautiful, and the film captures the vastness and beauty of the Canadian landscape.

The cast is excellent, with Eric Portman giving a chilling performance as Lieutenant Hirth. Laurence Olivier is also memorable as the French-Canadian fur trapper.

The film is a powerful anti-war statement. It shows the horrors of war, and it reminds us that the Nazis are a threat to all freedom-loving people

I especially enjoyed the scene where Leslie Howard Reads from The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. The opening is also very stirring.

Mel Ulm