The BFI Southbank has been providing an extensive programme of the films directed by this memorable partnership. It certainly seems to have attracted cinephiles; the several cinemas have been generally crowded. The season includes both their black and white and Technicolor masterworks: some early films by Powell working solo: and other film works by Pressburger. Many screenings are on 35mm and there are a couple of nitrate shows. There are also digital restorations of the films. I saw A Canterbury Tale (1944)in this format; a tale of modern pilgrims it is certainly one of the finest films they produced. The transfer was well done but one could still notice some differences: close ups were slightly sharper: long shots not so: whilst back projection in particular seemed more noticeable than on a film print.
The BFI is sending a package round the regions. So far the only cinema in Yorkshire presenting 35mm prints seems to be the Sheffield Showroom. Pictureville, unfortunately, is out of commission with a plague of RAAC concrete; how long is as yet unknown. The Showroom are screening three of the early war films in 35mm prints.
Contraband 1940, Black and white, 91 minutes
This is a spy thriller starring Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson. Veidt is one of the great stars of both silent and sound cinema and there is a fine chemistry between him and Hobson. Whilst Veidt plays a Danish sea captain much of the action takes place in London, often darkened by the wartime blackouts. This is a stylish thriller with expressionist touches. The print is newly struck.
Note, there is an extended introduction on the two master film-makers, so the event runs 140 minutes; Friday November 3rd at 1830.
The Spy in Black, 1939, Black and white, 83 minutes
More espionage, again with Veidt and Hobson on fine form. This was actually the first collaboration by Powell and Pressburger. In his autobiography, [A Life in Movies, 1986), Powell recalls how impressed he was with the writing and adapting skills of Pressburger. This drama is set in the Orkneys and Veidt, this time, is cast as a German whilst Hobson represents British Intelligence. This first work together already holds the promise of the outstanding productions that were to follow.
Friday November 10th at 1830
One of Our Aircraft is Missing, Black and white, 1942, 106 minutes
In this wartime drama a British air crew are shot down over Holland and have to avoid the German occupation forces. Brave civilians help them on their journey home. Two of the fine cast are Eric Portman and that outstanding British actress of the period Googie Withers.
Friday November 17th at 1830
The Showroom is also featuring later Powell and Pressburger films, including the memorable works in Technicolor. In Leeds The Cottage Road is also screening some four titles. Any film by Powell and Pressburger is a must but one of these, I Know Where I am Going (1945), is outstanding; a friend tells me that the digital transfer is excellent; and the film has a wondrous Wendy Hiller. Both venues are screening A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Black Narcissus (1947) and The Red Shoes (1948); all in Technicolor and containing some of the most ravishing sequences in this format.
itp Global Film 