Michael Powell

Directing

Michael Powell

Born — Died

1905-09-30 — 1990-02-19

Place of birth

Bekesbourne, Kent, England

Known for

Directing

Credits

72 titles

Michael Latham Powell (30 September 1905 – 19 February 1990) was a renowned English film director, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger. They worked together under the name of "The Archers" and produced a series of classic British films, notably The Thief of Bagdad (1940), 49th Parallel (1941), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946, also called Stairway to Heaven), Black Narcissus (1947) and The Red Shoes (1948). His controversial 1960 film Peeping Tom, however, was so vilified that his career was seriously damaged.

Known for

The South Bank Show poster
5.6

The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.

The South Bank Show

1978

Peeping Tom poster
7.4

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Peeping Tom

1960

The Red Shoes poster
8.0

A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.

The Red Shoes

1948

A Matter of Life and Death poster
7.7

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

A Matter of Life and Death

1946

Black Narcissus poster
7.5

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.

Black Narcissus

1947

The Thief of Bagdad poster
7.1

When Prince Ahmad is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar, he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess.

The Thief of Bagdad

1940

Film credits

2010s · 3 titles

1990s · 2 titles

1980s · 6 titles

1920s · 10 titles

The Garden of Allah poster
10.0

Father Adrien had taken the vows of eternal silence, prayer and, of course, celibacy, when he entered the Trappist Monastry of Notre Dame d'Afrique in Algeria. One day, he chopped down a tree that blocked a part of the Monastery wall, but as it fell it knocked a young girl senseless. As Father Adrien bathes her face she regains consciousness and in a mischievous mood embraces him. The embrace was seen by another monk but the Monastic discipline imposed is as nothing compared to the torturing penances of mind and body which the contrite Father Adrien has imposed upon himself. In the end it is all too much for poor Father Adrien and he abandons his vows and escapes into the desert, resuming his secular name Androvsky. On the way to the oasis of Beni-Mora he encounters Domini Enfilden who has been brought up as a Catholic. Androvsky rescues Domini from a rioting crowd and she finds herself deeply attracted to him.

The Garden of Allah

1927

No artwork available
9.0

The tourists set off for the Mountains of the Alpes Maritimes, visit the medieval hilltop of Tourette, and play in the snow.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 9: Cold Feats

1927

No artwork available
9.0

The tourists travel on to Grasse, the perfume factory, and the valley of the Wolves.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 11: Scents and Nonsense

1927

No artwork available
8.0

Concerning the adventures of a party of tourists on their journey from Cannes to visit the Islands of Lérins.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 1: Spooky Islands

1927

The Magician poster
6.1

A young woman, Margaret Dauncey, is caught between the forces of a charlatan magician, Oliver Haddo, whom she is unable to resist, and the love of a handsome surgeon, Arthur Burdon, who has saved her from being a helpless cripple by performing a delicate operation on her spine.

The Magician

1926

No artwork available
10.0

The tarvelling party inluding Cicero Simps (Michael Powell) move to St. Paul de vence and la Colombe d'Or ans showcases a dreamcase in which he dreams he's a faun.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 10: Fauny Business

1927

No artwork available
9.0

The further adventures of the group of tourists on a trip around the French Riviera. From Cannes they travel to Juan les Pins, the Grimaldi Chateau in Monaco, Port-carre, Antibes and the pottery makers of Biot. A love interest developes between Ophelia Beetle and Apollo Naris, an Englishman, while the Arab Sheik, Abdrool Krimp is vamped by Mme. Papillon.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 2: A Nasty Jar

1927

No artwork available
7.0

The tour comes to an end and the party returns to Cannes. The sheik's disguise is dropped and he disappears with all of Mme. Papilion's belongings. The party boards a train and leave Cannes.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 12

1927

No artwork available
10.0

The tourist group are in Monte Carlo, where Mdm Papillion wins a fortune.

Riviera Revels - Travelaugh No. 6

1927

The Compulsory Husband poster
8.0

A recently engaged girl invites her parents to meet her fiance. They learn that he also loves another woman.

The Compulsory Husband

1929

Series credits

Behind the camera

Peeping Tom poster
7.4

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Peeping Tom

1960

Peeping Tom poster
7.4

Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.

Peeping Tom

1960

The Red Shoes poster
8.0

A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.

The Red Shoes

1948

The Red Shoes poster
8.0

A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.

The Red Shoes

1948

The Red Shoes poster
8.0

A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.

The Red Shoes

1948

A Matter of Life and Death poster
7.7

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

A Matter of Life and Death

1946

A Matter of Life and Death poster
7.7

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

A Matter of Life and Death

1946

A Matter of Life and Death poster
7.7

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

A Matter of Life and Death

1946

Black Narcissus poster
7.5

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.

Black Narcissus

1947

Black Narcissus poster
7.5

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.

Black Narcissus

1947

Black Narcissus poster
7.5

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.

Black Narcissus

1947

The Thief of Bagdad poster
7.1

When Prince Ahmad is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar, he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess.

The Thief of Bagdad

1940

A Canterbury Tale poster
6.9

Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.

A Canterbury Tale

1944

A Canterbury Tale poster
6.9

Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.

A Canterbury Tale

1944

A Canterbury Tale poster
6.9

Three modern-day pilgrims investigate a bizarre crime in a small town while on their way to Canterbury.

A Canterbury Tale

1944

49th Parallel poster
7.0

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts 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 brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.

49th Parallel

1941

49th Parallel poster
7.0

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts 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 brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.

49th Parallel

1941

The Battle of the River Plate poster
6.4

In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.

The Battle of the River Plate

1956

The Battle of the River Plate poster
6.4

In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.

The Battle of the River Plate

1956

The Battle of the River Plate poster
6.4

In the early years of the World War II, the Royal Navy is fighting a desperate battle to keep the Atlantic convoy routes open to supply the British Isles, facing the great danger posed by the many German warships, such as the Admiral Graf Spee, which are scouring the ocean for cargo ships to sink.

The Battle of the River Plate

1956

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing poster
6.6

During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing

1942

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing poster
6.6

During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing

1942

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing poster
6.6

During a raid on Germany, a British bomber crew is forced to bail out after their plane is damaged. They land in Holland, where they're aided by Dutch civilians.

One of Our Aircraft Is Missing

1942

Oh... Rosalinda!! poster
6.1

Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.

Oh... Rosalinda!!

1955

Oh... Rosalinda!! poster
6.1

Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.

Oh... Rosalinda!!

1955

Oh... Rosalinda!! poster
6.1

Pseudonym Dr. Falke follows his wife through disguises and deceptions in postwar Vienna.

Oh... Rosalinda!!

1955

The Tales of Hoffmann poster
7.1

A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.

The Tales of Hoffmann

1951

The Tales of Hoffmann poster
7.1

A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.

The Tales of Hoffmann

1951

The Tales of Hoffmann poster
7.1

A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer.

The Tales of Hoffmann

1951

Age of Consent poster
6.0

An elderly artist thinks he has become too stale and is past his prime. His friend (and agent) persuades him to go to an offshore island to try once more. On the island he re-discovers his muse in the form of a young girl.

Age of Consent

1969

Age of Consent poster
6.0

An elderly artist thinks he has become too stale and is past his prime. His friend (and agent) persuades him to go to an offshore island to try once more. On the island he re-discovers his muse in the form of a young girl.

Age of Consent

1969

Gone to Earth poster
6.2

Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.

Gone to Earth

1950

Gone to Earth poster
6.2

Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.

Gone to Earth

1950

Gone to Earth poster
6.2

Hazel Woods, a beautiful and young Welsh girl, lives a wild, rustic life and loves animals — in particular, her pet fox. She is hotly desired by Jack Reddin, a fox hunting squire who vies for her affection and pursues her, despite the purer amorous intentions of the local pastor.

Gone to Earth

1950

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp poster
7.5

General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp poster
7.5

General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp poster
7.5

General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943

I Know Where I'm Going! poster
7.1

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.

I Know Where I'm Going!

1945

I Know Where I'm Going! poster
7.1

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.

I Know Where I'm Going!

1945

I Know Where I'm Going! poster
7.1

Plucky Englishwoman Joan Webster travels to the remote islands of the Scottish Hebrides in order to marry a wealthy industrialist. Trapped by inclement weather on the Isle of Mull and unable to continue to her destination, Joan finds herself charmed by the straightforward, no-nonsense islanders around her, and becomes increasingly attracted to naval officer Torquil MacNeil, who holds a secret that may change her life forever.

I Know Where I'm Going!

1945